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Christine Selby

Algebra is my friend

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Returned to my study space today after a couple of days off celebrating my youngest sons 3rd birthday. No studying - too much cake. Ooops! 

But hey it all good, just keeping my nose ahead of the weeks. 
Shock revelation today - ALGEBRA is not quite as bad as I feared. Although I fear it will become more complicated over next few months, but learning to enjoy it. 

This weeks aims are to stay ahead of the weeks and push hard as we have another birthday celebration next weekend with my eldest son turning 8. Where does the time go!

More cake and more party food. Cant say no to that. 

Working my way through these weeks seems to be going slow but the time seems to be going fast. Saturdays come round way too quick when I should begin the next weeks chapter. 

Managed a gym session Friday - OMG first time in a gym since February. Achy muscles as a result so no cycling/running. 

Good news though - Rugby is back in action this week again. Cant wait to get back to training again, just hoping we can keep going for longer this time. Please no more lockdowns. Getting fed up with it now. 

Feeling for my English friends going through theirs as it really does suck! 

Time for a lunch break I think... mustn't forget to eat while studying. I get so into my work, time flies and before I know it it will be getting dark. Guess that is what happens when you are so into your studies. Still early days!



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Christine Selby

Getting back into it

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Wooo feeling good this weekend. 

Managed to get out on the bike for a good few miles Friday and Today. 
Fresh and much needed. Still, doesn't help me consolidate my maths but all I could think of was all things engineering while out. Thinking about how the little cogs and shifters work, thinking about how many joules of energy burnt, how much wattage I'm producing. 

Moving on this week with studies and being back in work. Lockdown almost over again. 

Hope I can keep this momentum up. 

Nice glass of red with a beef dinner tonight and a close on the study time in exchange for family time. 


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Christine Selby

Nobbling notations

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Edited by Christine Selby, Thursday, 29 Oct 2020, 20:48

Found myself with a few extra hours study today so I tackled that iCMA51 again. 

STILL floating in mid 80 % range. God damn it. 

Looks like it is scientific notation that is letting me down. So frustrating. 

Will I ever learn - need to find a way to get this stuff cemented before things get harder and harder and harder. 

Pre-course beginnings I was a dab hand at it - but now I just cant seem to get it right. Is it possibly that introduction to engineering notation throwing me out?
Didn't cover that on the open learn course - I'm sure of it.


All i know that for now I am struggling a little  through this particular section of the maths, but trying to stay positive and working my way through the help materials. 

Please, brain start absorbing things!!!! angry


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Christine Selby

The beginning is near!

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Edited by Christine Selby, Thursday, 29 Oct 2020, 20:44

Hi all, 

After a couple of days off, I'm finding myself here once again. Catching up! 

Is this the beginning of what my year will turn out to be. NO!! Think I'm just waiting for that start date. Last think I want to do is do a load of work to discover I have not done it right, 

Nerves are severe now with what I have let myself into. What was I thinking? Engineering Degree and a maths failure - is that a good combination?

Well, yes - because it has made me even more determined to learn and get to grips with Math once and for all. I didn't try in school, I didn't like school but I was by no means bottom of the class and should have come away passing it. 

Had a wonderful few days away from this site - rugby training for both me and the eldest and being the taxi of mum to my son over the weekend with various activities. Little one got to ride his pony too - which was lovely to see.  

Plus side, randomly got offered a job by a friend of mine. Things could change as it maybe possible I will be breaking out of the Education sector sooner than I originally planned. 

Well best get back to my reading - until next time. 

Stay Safe, Stay sane! 

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Christine Selby

Blog Virgin

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Edited by Christine Selby, Thursday, 29 Oct 2020, 20:43

So here it goes...creating my first blog to document my journey back to and through education. 

I shall start by introducing myself. 

My name is Christine. Born and raised on the Western fringes of Wales right between where the sea ends and the rolling Welsh hills begin. Married my school love at 24 (after being with him from the age of 17). Built our home together from scratch. First child at 26. Second child at 30. Continuing to live life in married bliss. 

Went to school, went to college. Wanted to become a police officer. Didn't go to plan (couldn't pass that damn scenario assessment - I'm no actress) 

Since leaving college with a Triple Distinction Grade National Diploma in Uniformed Services (something I didn't think was that big a deal until someone told me why had I not gone to Uni and it was a good grade)

Life went on and I decided to go to work instead. Ended up finding myself a role working in social care of young people. Then for the past 9 years working in the local Primary School. Built a nice portfolio of courses and even became a HLTA. 

But...

Things are changing and my passion for improving the educational experiences of the young ones is fading since having my own children. I am around children most of the 24 hours in day and 7 days a week. Thankful that I'm able to do some of my hobbies when I have time. It gets a bit much! Began working part time for my Dads engineering company as he was a sole trader at the time and couldn't keep up with admin. Now he can't keep up with the work and he has lightened a new spark and a new drive within me. 

I suppose I have something to be thankful for with this virus and lockdown. It has made me reflect on my life choices and the drive for a new challenge in my life. 

And so it begins...Part Time Bachelor of Engineering Degree (Honours) - October 2020

Feeling extremely nervous but hoping I have made the right choice. 

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