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How do you choose continuing education for naturopaths in Switzerland when several programmes sound interesting? Start with a concrete question: which skill would you like to understand or perform better in your work or studies? A useful plan connects that need with a clear goal, a realistic budget and a way to check what you have learned.
The following method helps you prepare your choices instead of collecting courses out of habit. It is relevant to practitioners and students, provided the level of the material matches their initial training and experience.
1. Start with a specific professional need
Write down three situations in which you would like to feel more confident: assessing a scientific article, organising professional documents or understanding a topic in your discipline more thoroughly. Choose one priority first. “Deepen my knowledge” is vague; “compare the quality of two sources on a topic” makes it easier to look for a suitable programme.
Distinguish between what you already know, what needs updating and what would be new learning. For a student, the priority might be to consolidate a foundation before exploring an advanced technique. An experienced practitioner might want to reconsider a habit or strengthen critical thinking.
2. Read the programme before booking
An appealing title is not enough. Look for explicit learning objectives, prerequisites, detailed content, the instructor’s background and practical arrangements. Ask how the course distinguishes established knowledge, hypotheses and traditional uses. These details help you understand what will actually be taught.
Also check the language, format, duration, materials and opportunities for exercises or questions. If you need a particular certificate for your own learning pathway, confirm its content and acceptance with the relevant organisation before paying. A certificate of attendance and an assessment of competence do not necessarily describe the same thing.
3. Allow for the full cost and time involved
Your budget includes course fees, possible travel and accommodation, and time spent preparing. Also set aside time afterwards to review your notes. A course that is hard to fit into your schedule can easily become another folder on your computer.
The ASNFD training page confirms that all members receive 25% off courses, regardless of membership category. Contact the secretariat for the arrangements and to confirm the amount payable for your chosen course. Do not deduct a discount from a payment yourself without those instructions.
4. Turn the course into learning you can review
Before the session, write down two questions you want to answer. Afterwards, summarise one important idea, one limitation and one point to explore further. You can check your understanding by explaining the topic in your own words or completing an exercise suggested by the instructor.
Keep the programme, notes, references and any certificate in the same folder. A simple table is enough: date, topic, objective, duration, document received and next step. This is a personal tracking tool; it does not replace evidence requested by a school or another organisation.
5. Review before choosing the next course
A few weeks later, ask yourself what you remember, which questions remain open and whether the content matched your level. Try to consolidate an existing learning outcome before adding another topic. Professional discussion can also help you formulate more precise questions for your next course.
How can ASNFD support your planning?
The association describes opportunities for training tailored to expressed needs. This does not mean that a particular course or date is immediately available: tell the secretariat what you need to find out about the possibilities. Access to member resources depends on your membership category.
Would you like to join a professional network and prepare your next learning steps? Read the admission requirements and current membership fees, then use the ASNFD membership application form. Discuss the appropriate pathway with the secretariat: membership alone does not validate a qualification or an entry in the directory.