Couple of days have passed since my last post and while I left my last post in a happy place, it has since been swiped away by the introduction of factorising expressions, multiplying out brackets and algebra.
I though I was getting somewhere, but now just adding another concept to it has thrown me again.
My nemesis from my GCSE days has returned to haunt me from almost 20 years ago.
Despite this, I'm trying to keep my head up and continuing to ensure I make time for revision and practice.
Weekend birthday celebrations came and went and we are gearing up for my eldest birthday this weekend. MORE CAKE!
More cake and lack of exercise - not a good combo. Worse still lack of study time this weekend again. But it ok, still got my nose ahead and I have planned the next few weeks out (hopefully perfectly) to be able to spend a solid week and few days manipulating my second TMA into something worth a decent mark.
Also in the news this week, I'm a celebrity has returned, filmed in my home country of Wales. Never really watched it when it was in Australia but for some reason the location and the celebs seem to appeal to me this year. Although I must admit there are times when it is such a slow moving programme.
Last night was a big footie match between Wales and Finland, couldn't help myself flicking back and forth between the 2 programmes. Wales are playing so well (more that what I can say about our rugby team at the moment). A decent 3-1 win for the Welsh and a move to the top of the group.
However, this weekend sees Wales take on Georgia in the rugby. I swear, the way they been playing I'm not keeping my hopes up despite it should be a win for us. I will still be supporting the boys as rugby rules! Wishing them luck.
Right back to it, to fry more of my brain cells with the ever so exciting algebra.
Personal Blogs
When you think you are winning
Thursday, 19 Nov 2020, 19:34
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Growing confidence
Wednesday, 11 Nov 2020, 19:32
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Edited by Christine Selby, Wednesday, 11 Nov 2020, 19:33
Feeling relieved and happy this evening.
A few weeks back I was getting so frustrated with my inability to reach my iCMA target score of 90% and that the maths just wasn’t sinking in.
This evening, my last attempt before the cut off date tomorrow I got it! I got it! 😁
15 out of 16 achieving 94%
So relieved I can now concentrate on my second TMA now.
I have noticed that weeks seem to by flying by leading up to Christmas. Feeling so excited for Christmas already - possibly because not only do I love this time of year but also it is something to look forward to. Family time, hubby having a day or 2 off and the kids and of course Christmas Break from uni work. Ha ha like hell...I be busting my ass to get ahead a few weeks more and revising between festivities and games and baking.
My youngest has officially started pre school and he loves it. Phew! Coming home with lots of stories and has clearly been very busy. Hope this keeps up.
Feeling disappointed with myself
Friday, 6 Nov 2020, 08:15
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Edited by Christine Selby, Friday, 6 Nov 2020, 08:15
Over the past 5 weeks I have been concentrating so hard on TMA and nailing a decent score in the iCMA I have totally abandoned my fitness that I built up so well.
Running was easier - cycling was enjoyable... I had a fairly good balance (or so I thought)
Clocks changed, light hours changed, weather changed and lockdown returned. Before I knew it I was back in school working again.
I am so upset and pissed off with myself for allowing it to slip away and I am paying the price. I feel fat, frumpy, disgusting and horrid again.
Let’s look on the bright side - my youngest has started pre school. Meaning I have 3 hours on the morning of Monday and Friday free. What should be study time I have to do something for me to get me out of this rut I’m back in again. This morning I’m heading out on my bike to climb the local hills. Hopefully I will feel a little better and the little one will be tired enough from school to have a nap for me to study a little.
Time to start my redemption and claw back the body I had begun to sculpt 5 weeks ago.
I will be happy 😃
First Tutorial and awaiting results
Thursday, 29 Oct 2020, 20:40
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Edited by Christine Selby, Thursday, 29 Oct 2020, 20:51
Well that was a great experience for my first tutorial last night - MATHS SUPPORT. Thought yeah I can nail this iCMA.
OOOOOPPPS!
Note to self - DO NOT attempt an iCMA late at night. What an epic fail.
We had a great tutor and all maths totally anonymous. Great for when I was too slow to work out the answers or getting them wrong. Ha Ha
But using his notes for revision I'm sure I will get there. Still weirdly feeling positive (ish)
iCMA attempted again this evening and a slight improvement to 89%
Just that 1% to go for that minimum target I set myself and still a couple of weeks left to practice and improve.
Must give myself a little rest from this iCMA for a few days to try and absorb the maths required, hit myself hard this week with so much revision to try and understand things up until now - before things get harder.
Weather has sucked this week - no activities or sports and we are still in that blooming lockdown here.
Kids probably thinking I have abandoned them with my head stuck in a book most of the time. But the studying must be wearing off onto them as they seem happier to sit and read and colour much more recently.
I'm done for this evening - glass of red awaiting me in front of the fire.
Oh yeah must not forget that first TMA mark and feedback is due within the next few days. Feeling a bit nervous about it. Be interesting to see whether I did mess up the maths or not. Time will tell.
The struggle is real!
Monday, 26 Oct 2020, 22:35
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Edited by Christine Selby, Thursday, 29 Oct 2020, 20:48
It's LOCKDOWN here in Wales again. Roads quiet, nowhere to go. Perfect time to study - MATHS - Arghhhh! Why?
What on earth made me take a math heavy course. We are only just getting started.
Stuff I should know, stuff I should have covered in school - GCSE stuff. why am I finding it so difficult to rack around in my brain for those little clues that helped me get through those my exams?
Even looking at GCSE/A level revision books is making me think - there was no way I knew how to do all this to sit an exam.
Oh yeah - it was over 20 years ago and I have had 2 kids since then. Brain mushed!!
Evenings are getting harder to concentrate and I find I don't have enough time in a day to revise.
Something has to change - revamp of that study plan.
Although, I do have a maths tutorial on Wednesday - hoping for some lightbulb moments there or it will be 1:1 tutor call for me.
Despite somehow getting 86% in the iCMA so far - I was too heavily reliant on the books with me.
TARGET: iCMA51 = minimum 90% with less use of the books.
I have just over 2 weeks to get myself up to speed and I'm a week ahead of schedule. (Hope to get week 6 out of the way this week as well) then that will give me some good groundings before I return to work - if kids will ever leave me to get a few hours peace during the best time of the day to study.
Missed blog
Monday, 26 Oct 2020, 18:48
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Edited by Christine Selby, Thursday, 29 Oct 2020, 20:48
Sunday the 25th October.
Missed blogging for this date.
Managed to get almost a whole day of studying done. General stuff after submitting my first TMA - reading and completing activities for the weeks ahead.
However, I sense my maths abilities are going to put me under some intense pressure. Already struggling to embed what I have learned. All those rules and equations to try and remember. Trying my best to do practice quizzes without checking the books. I just want it to stick! Is that too much to ask.
Onward to try and conquer this hurdle the best I can.
Today, trying to get some reading And revision in. Near impossible with a 2 year old that is so needy. Argh!
Hmmm childminder offering Wednesday - so tempting to get a decent day of study in. Really want to try and keep to being a week ahead minimum.
Exercise is lacking And patience with kids home wearing thin.
So much for getting a hard push on things during the holidays.
Need to get a plan of action set up for next couple of weeks.
Missed blogging for this date.
Managed to get almost a whole day of studying done. General stuff after submitting my first TMA - reading and completing activities for the weeks ahead.
However, I sense my maths abilities are going to put me under some intense pressure. Already struggling to embed what I have learned. All those rules and equations to try and remember. Trying my best to do practice quizzes without checking the books. I just want it to stick! Is that too much to ask.
Onward to try and conquer this hurdle the best I can.
Today, trying to get some reading And revision in. Near impossible with a 2 year old that is so needy. Argh!
Hmmm childminder offering Wednesday - so tempting to get a decent day of study in. Really want to try and keep to being a week ahead minimum.
Exercise is lacking And patience with kids home wearing thin.
So much for getting a hard push on things during the holidays.
Need to get a plan of action set up for next couple of weeks.
Positive vibes
Sunday, 18 Oct 2020, 18:03
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Edited by Christine Selby, Thursday, 29 Oct 2020, 20:46
Spend all day today in my cave typing up my very first TMA.
TMA01 - almost done. Just that little niggly mathematical problem left to do and I am ready to submit.
Feeling positive this evening after my stress yesterday.
Shutting down on a high for quality family time.
De ja vu!
Tuesday, 13 Oct 2020, 18:51
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Edited by Christine Selby, Thursday, 29 Oct 2020, 20:46
Here I am again, letting my studies slip. Still ahead of the weeks but kids activities and change in work not helping.
Late night studying is taking its toll as I am struggling with the mornings. Life/study balance are scales not easy to balance.
But I'm learning and trying my best to stick to the plan. Luckily my TMA involves me to reflect and review just that.
Must keep ahead of the weeks to ensure I can keep up. Cant wait for the first tutorial to come round.
Had a lovely bike and brunch Sunday - that helped so much with easing some of my stresses and frets about this first TMA. Nice to be abele to enjoy an activity without the kids or hubby and have a good natter with the girls.
TMA: T-16 days
Kicking myself!
Friday, 9 Oct 2020, 15:03
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Edited by Christine Selby, Thursday, 29 Oct 2020, 20:45
Feeling more frustrated with myself for having a few days off actually completing activities. Managed to get a good bit of reading and note taking in though.
Another week gone by with minimal physical activities being done. So frustrating - hubby home late so cant leave the kids, getting dark earlier and well the weather has just been pants. The red wine is back out as the log burner has begun to be lit over recent days and it is definitely feeling like the Autumn time with Winter not far behind.
I have now finally made myself a to do list for the next 3 weeks,
I must remember that we are still only in week 1 and I'm completing my week 3 activities and chapters. Things are not all that bad - so why do I feel I'm falling behind I have no idea.
Tutor seems lovely and been offering up loads of great resources - particularly in maths. (Thank god!) Only hoping I can nail this first assignment and things will become clearer.
Pressing on now this afternoon/evening with a bot of luck.
Another week gone by with minimal physical activities being done. So frustrating - hubby home late so cant leave the kids, getting dark earlier and well the weather has just been pants. The red wine is back out as the log burner has begun to be lit over recent days and it is definitely feeling like the Autumn time with Winter not far behind.
I have now finally made myself a to do list for the next 3 weeks,
I must remember that we are still only in week 1 and I'm completing my week 3 activities and chapters. Things are not all that bad - so why do I feel I'm falling behind I have no idea.
Tutor seems lovely and been offering up loads of great resources - particularly in maths. (Thank god!) Only hoping I can nail this first assignment and things will become clearer.
Pressing on now this afternoon/evening with a bot of luck.
Study - any time, anywhere
Thursday, 24 Sept 2020, 16:02
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Edited by Christine Selby, Thursday, 29 Oct 2020, 20:43
This week kicked off a bit of the new routine. Rugby and football training with the eldest is back on.
As a result my timetable has changed already.
Due to new restrictions I am now not allowed to leave the training venue and must wait in the car.
Cha--ching! and hour of peace for some reading. Or so you would think. Cue my little monster child!
Many kids these days like to sit in front of an ipad when you don't want them to....but when you would like them to watch something just for an hour for me to read in peace - nooooooo way!
So I have come to the conclusion that this plan will not work as I had hoped.
Well battle on I shall with my quest to study anytime, anywhere.
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