Personal Blogs

It is Friday the 18th of December as I type this. The flood damage in Carlisle seems to be getting under control, although there are still a few major bridges closed causing problems with traffic flow. As we approach the Christmas break I am almost half way through my final module. I received my mark back for TMA 02 which I was very pleased about, still falling within the distinction bracket. I have also been trying to get some revision done - I know from previous experience that the exam will suddenly be here and I will be unprepared. It is difficult to get motivation for something that isn't "scary" yet, but I'm trying to force myself (classic dualistic thinking!)

TMA 03 is the project and I think I have a plan to do with a study of Scottish Nationalism. I attended a day school in Sterling and feel well prepared for it. The project proposal form is about 3/4 complete. All-in-all this module feels like it is going well and is under control. It feels like the huge amount of work I did earlier this year is paying off. I am starting to consider what life will be like when it is all over. So strange to be looking towards the finish of my final module - and a degree in psychology.

Well, I sat the ED209 exam yesterday. I felt it went ok and I knew the materials quite well. I spent much more time preparing for this exam than I ever have in the past and I think it has paid off. I found my hand wasn't as achy by the end as it has been for previous exams and I think I managed to stay a bit calmer. Also as ED209 has a "seen question" (ie you know one of the questions in advance of the exam) then I really had the first hour planned out - I must have written that essay 10 times over the past few weeks! The results are out in mid July. Realistically I doubt I will have done well enough to get a distinction, but I'm fairly confident of a pass.

My next course is the final one on my route to a degree in psychology and will be DD307 - Social Psychology. I am still in with a slim chance of a first on my degree if I get a distinction in this final module, A pretty big "if"....

Last year I studied DD303 (Cognitive Psychology) throughout the summer. It was beautiful summer and all I saw of it was text books. So this year I have structured the courses so that I now have a break until September. The first break I have allowed myself so far. I am so looking forward to reading books (that aren't about psychology), hill-walking - and breathing!

Thanks to the people that posted on my previous blog entry. It is appreciated. I had always assumed my blog sat here largely untouched, and I write it as part diary and part cathartic exercise. It's good to know people stumble across it from time to time.

It is now the start of February and it is difficult to believe that the last entry I wrote in this blog was the end of November. Christmas and New Year were lovely and it was great getting out walking in the mountains and re-discovering pass-times and friends I have neglected for the past year or so. However ED209 is now about half way through and I'm starting to square up to the next exam in June. So far my assignment grades have been good (high 80s and low 90s) and I just need to keep this standard up. As I type this I should really be working on a report which is my fourth assignment for ED209.

While working for ED209 I am also trying to prepare for my final module - DD307 starting in October this year. This is the module that will dictate the overall grade for my degree. However it turns out I want to be sure I gave it my very best. It's a long time away, but time seems to be flying by so quickly...