Personal Blogs

Well, my exam happened. Was it as bad as I had feared? NO.  It was worse.

The whole experience verged on traumatic.  Less than half our original learning group attended, such was the dropout rate.  The paper was unrealistically difficult with questions on parts of the coursework that were barely touched upon while leaving out huge swathes of important work that was given considerable attention during the module.  I really think that the level was unfairly set, particularly given that this is the last time T206 is being run.

Talk about a parting shot.

That said, I did pass comfortably(63%), gaining a good second in conjuction with my OCAS score and putting me in the top 10% of students so, on a personal level at least, I am pleased with the result.

At least the aftermath was easy.  I've taken a much needed study break since T206.  The first month or so was spent untangling myself from studying, something that has been a considerable part of my life for two and a half years, non-stop, and getting to some state of normality while simultaneously trying to calm down after the exam (I didn't sleep for days).  I did eventually manage to relax and had a nice enjoyable Christmas but now the time has come to start studying again.

The materials for my next course, T211-Design and Designing, arrived 3 days ago and I've been busily setting up my study area again.  I've reviewed the workbooks, downloaded the software and watched the first few videos.  Disappointingly, much of the early stuff is lifted straight from U101 which I completed in 2011 so this will just be an exercise in repetition, for a couple of weeks at least.

Another thing with T211 is that it looks to be the most "arty-farty" of the modules I've done (bearing in mind that this is number 8) and, looking at the work required, I wish now that I had registered for another module to run alongside it as I still need to pick up another 30 points at level 3, after the OU moved the goalposts and messed up my original planned study route.  A return of the Systems module would be nice, especially if it's split into 2 30-pointers.

Don't get the wrong impression though.  I can't wait to get started with T211 and have already made inroads into the early work.  I just need to be patient now and let the course catch up with me

Having finished B322, and still waiting for the result two months after submitting my EMA, I'm enjoying my studies much more.  I'm on TMA04 of T206-Energy for a Sustainable Future at the moment and, despite a few hiccups with TMA03 (caused by my PC going pop), the module is going very well.  TMA04 is half done as I did the essay question last week (with 3 weeks to go) leaving me with just the question bits to get through. It's also helped by having a great tutor.  Someone who explains things clearly, from different angles if necessary and who is easy to communicate with.  This makes a tough, but interesting, module much clearer and more accessible.

 This morning, however, despite my best intentions, I have no inspiration, if that's the right word.  I sat there for an hour before deciding that enough was enough.

It's happened before though.  Mind's wandering and I'm not focussed.

I'll have another go tomorrow and, in the meantime, I'll take the textbook to work this afternooon and try a little "light" reading about tidal energy and heat pumps during my breaks.