Category: Studying Page 6 of 15

As predicted it’s been a while since I updated this blog, but as ever life has been challenging with normal illness on top of chronic illness, setbacks and somehow managing to keep up with studying.

Despite these challenges T320 is proving to be an interesting and enjoyable module. Block 1 covered e-business from a business perspective, so nothing too different to B203 in a sense. In fact much of it overlapped with things I had learned during my previous module.

As I write this I am happy to have received my first TMA back, with a better than expected score. My essay was far from perfect, but given it had been written while I was exhausted with a hacking cough and the general dip in health that comes from having a normal illness on top of a chronic illness I don’t think 83% is bad.

I’m now working my way through Block 2 which again is proving interesting and enjoyable. Despite already knowing quite a bit of the basic XML subject, the details are proving very interesting. I’m managing to get through the study sessions quicker than the study schedule has allowed which has given me leeway to take a few much appreciated rest days. I’m hoping that this will continue so I am able to allow myself a good few weeks off over the Christmas period!

As ever most Open University related terms can be found in the Glossary. Anything not in there please feel free to comment and ask what on earth I am talking about! I’ll try and answer when I can.

Things haven’t exactly been plain sailing with my plans to slowly ease my way back into the studying mindset. But I am getting there. My module website is due to open tomorrow and that’s it I shall be back studying. Not officially since my module doesn’t start until October 4th, however as I think I’ve mentioned before I need to get a head start on this module. I’m hoping the little bits of studying I have been doing will be enough to make the start of the module run smoothly with little impact on my health!

I have my study area sorted and hope to be able to make use of it. The desk is set up, all ready for action! What’s the betting it doesn’t stay looking this clear for long?!

Anyway, like always this blog is likely to take a back seat from tomorrow as I attempt to focus on my new module. I’ll try and keep you updated as and when I can, and of course let you see if the desk stays this clear! Good luck to everyone starting a new module in the coming weeks and to those of you sitting exams in the next few days!!

Well September has crept up on me quite quickly. After a few months of not studying I’ve decided I need to use this month to slowly get myself back into the studying mindset. And hopefully avoid any major impact on my health. (I can only hope right?!)

You see despite getting plenty of rest during this break, I’ve also picked up a number of bugs and been working on setting up a study area ready for when T320 starts in October. Alongside doing a few fun things I can’t do whilst studying! All this means that although I have seen improvements in my health they haven’t been as great as I’d hoped for. So this module could be another big challenge. But as you’ll know if you’re a regular reader of this blog, I’m always up for a challenge when it comes to studying!

While my health isn’t all that great right now, I’m confident that by taking things slowly and building up my study hours I will be able to manage this module. In order to do this I have decided to spend the first two weeks of September studying ‘The Good Study Guide’ by Andrew Northedge. I figure that not only will it help me get into the studying mindset and build up the hours I’m able to spend studying, but also the knowledge I gain from studying it might help me with the actual module when it begins!

As soon as the module website opens I plan on printing out the materials – T320 Ebusiness Technologies; foundations and practice has all it’s reading materials online – and making a start on studying them before the official start date. I want, actually I need to get a head start on this module, not just for my usual reasons of if I get a few weeks ahead it doesn’t matter if I have a couple of ‘rough’ days where I’m unable to study because I won’t fall behind. But also because I have an event to attend on the official start date of my module and I know it will require at least a couple of days proper resting to recover. I can’t be sure how much rest will be needed, however from previous experience I can be pretty certain that it will be at least a couple of days perhaps longer. I don’t want to have to worry about falling behind and I don’t want to miss out on going to this family event. Therefore the plan is to get enough of a head start when the module website opens to not have to worry about falling behind in those first few days. Hopefully I’ll recover quickly and the head start will continue to leave me ahead and with some breathing space for any ‘rough’ days that pop up along the way.

Anyway overall I’m looking forward to T320 and what the module will bring, I’m just hoping my health will allow me to enjoy studying and not make it too much of a struggle!!

It’s been said that every student needs a study buddy. I think this is especially true for students of distance learning like OU. It can be a lonely business studying alone at a computer and keeping motivated can be quite a challenge. That’s where a study buddy comes in. Even if that study buddy isn’t another person, or even a living being.

If you’ve been following me on Twitter or are my friend on Facebook you will already have heard of and seen my study buddy Brian. He was bought for me by my best friend when I was struggling during my previous module and I don’t think there’s been a day I haven’t given him a cuddle since I got him! Even during my current summer holidays.

You see Brian is a stuffed toy dog. A gorgeous stuffed toy dog. With a fantastic T-shirt. He’s there to encourage me when I’m struggling with studying, to celebrate when things go well and comfort me when things don’t go to plan!

So here he is:

Brian my study buddy.

Now I’m sure you can see why I’m so attached to him! He really is the cutest, best present I think I’ve ever been given! His T-shirt is so encouraging, I’ve taken to keeping him about in my summer off especially when my health gets tough. Taking photos of him doing everyday things and helping create a study area ready for October, yes I’m actually having a desk and desk chair. Hopefully I’ll be well enough to use it, but if not the sofa is always there as a back up plan. With Brian’s help I’m sure I’ll find a way! I’ll leave you with a few more photos of Brian:

Brian sitting in my deskchair where we built it on the patio!

Brian supervising my revision back at the end of May 2014