Personal Blogs

So, here we are approaching the summer and the end of another OU year! I am sure the time will pass quickly and before we know it, we will be in the Autumn, with new module books and materials, with all the enthusiasm that goes with a new module, but then by the December TMA is waning into the neurosis and panic of how quickly a TMA or iCMA comes around, and counting the weeks to the EMA fearing we know diddlysquat about anything we have studied!

Rest assured, this is 'normal', and the pattern of many students, including myself, even though I have studied many courses, at both undergrad and post grad! Back at undergrad on a new degree, I still find myself recognising the same neurotic tendencies as when I was 20 with my studies! The difference now is that I breathe through them, acknowledge and observe them, and know my worth does not rest upon my grades! I have also made part of my career helping others do that!

Anyway, Summer. Enjoy it, but also it might be useful to try and get ahead a bit. I am going to be going over my previous French module and continuing to watch French Netflix programmes in my 'TV time', and I have bought a model brain to put together for my neuroscience based module, and a Human Biology kit that is for ages 6 and above, where I can even grow my own germs! Yes, it is for kids! But I will have fun! Plus, I have not studied biology at A level, though I did study anatomy and physiology with the Royal Academy of Dance for my ballet studies in my early 20s. So, I am going to enjoy the summer doing these things, bit by bit, not pressuring myself, and am also going to enjoy the summer (though still have to work, but I do have 3 or so weeks annual leave in August). 

What might you do to find that balance between enjoying the breather before the next module/academic year, and also getting ahead with some study or past module revision, to feel prepared for the new module, and to mitigate the neurotic panics that creep up when the enthusiasm wears off ?(Or if you don't have any neurosis about any of the TMAs, iCMAs, or EMAs, please share your secrets for the majority!).

Here's my advice:

- Recognise your sticky bits and do some gentle revision of past modules if they are appropriate to new modules.

- Find a fun way to prepare (like the kids' biology set - and there are others too, like chemistry and many areas of STEM, and there are things on Amazon for all subjects from kids/beginner to advanced).

- Do some things you love over the summer and take some self-care time. The new academic year will be upon us before we know it!

- Some new pens and notebooks - these always feel nice for a new term. Or maybe this is just me, as I love stationary!

Enjoy your summer break, and here's to academic year 2023/24!