Edited by Nicholas Roy Butcher, Wednesday 7 April 2021 at 21:30
Dear Blog, am I prepared? Am I ready?
In 1908, Baden-Powell published an article in the magazine 'Scouting for Boys' expounding the philosophy that his Boy Scouts should 'Be Prepared'.
The business world has an acronym for it - PPPPP (or, the 5 Ps) namely, Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
There is even a proverb - 'He who fails to plan, plans to fail.'
Thus far, the Access Module has taken us by the hand and walked us through many of the aspects of daily life that we need to look at, or in some cases alter, to enable us to be successful at not only this module, but also a subsequent degree should we choose that course.
It has advised us on the equipment we will need, supplied us with study materials, shown us the marks we need to pass the module, and advised us on how to create the time and physical space within our lives.
I guess I am one of the lucky ones as I have already, over several years, been able to lay the groundwork (through my own self-driven literature and French studies) and prepare myself. I have created the physical and emotional space in my little world to take this life altering journey on board.
But what about the mental aspect? I mean, the mental strength that is needed to see this thing through to the ultimate conclusion? The sheer force of will that is required to maintain one's studying even though other parts of one's life may be increasingly challenging? Perhaps a marriage that is going through a rough patch, or problems at work that are putting your employment status on a knife edge, or even a loved one gravely ill in hospital? My heart can only go out to those who will have to negotiate their way through these kinds of life issues, and wish them well. I will probably be one of them.
The OU is a fantastic organization, providing a wide array of support groups and couldn't do much more to support its students. But I know from personal experience that that kind of determination and will power can only come from within; the ability to 'play the long game' and keep your eye on the prize. I believe someone once referred to it as 'the eye of the tiger'. Only when you get to the end, do you know that you have it.
So this will be as much a journey of self-discovery as an academic one.
I can only wish all of my fellow students the very best, and hope that they manage to achieve their dreams and ambitions.
(At this point, Li'l Cat ambles into my room, sits down, and looks at me knowingly in that way that felines do; the wisdom of the ages behind her piercing green eyes).
Eye of the Tiger
Dear Blog, am I prepared? Am I ready?
In 1908, Baden-Powell published an article in the magazine 'Scouting for Boys' expounding the philosophy that his Boy Scouts should 'Be Prepared'.
The business world has an acronym for it - PPPPP (or, the 5 Ps) namely, Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
There is even a proverb - 'He who fails to plan, plans to fail.'
Thus far, the Access Module has taken us by the hand and walked us through many of the aspects of daily life that we need to look at, or in some cases alter, to enable us to be successful at not only this module, but also a subsequent degree should we choose that course.
It has advised us on the equipment we will need, supplied us with study materials, shown us the marks we need to pass the module, and advised us on how to create the time and physical space within our lives.
I guess I am one of the lucky ones as I have already, over several years, been able to lay the groundwork (through my own self-driven literature and French studies) and prepare myself. I have created the physical and emotional space in my little world to take this life altering journey on board.
But what about the mental aspect? I mean, the mental strength that is needed to see this thing through to the ultimate conclusion? The sheer force of will that is required to maintain one's studying even though other parts of one's life may be increasingly challenging? Perhaps a marriage that is going through a rough patch, or problems at work that are putting your employment status on a knife edge, or even a loved one gravely ill in hospital? My heart can only go out to those who will have to negotiate their way through these kinds of life issues, and wish them well. I will probably be one of them.
The OU is a fantastic organization, providing a wide array of support groups and couldn't do much more to support its students. But I know from personal experience that that kind of determination and will power can only come from within; the ability to 'play the long game' and keep your eye on the prize. I believe someone once referred to it as 'the eye of the tiger'. Only when you get to the end, do you know that you have it.
So this will be as much a journey of self-discovery as an academic one.
I can only wish all of my fellow students the very best, and hope that they manage to achieve their dreams and ambitions.
(At this point, Li'l Cat ambles into my room, sits down, and looks at me knowingly in that way that felines do; the wisdom of the ages behind her piercing green eyes).
Am I prepared, Blog? Am I ready? Oh, yes...