Smiling Clare - Part 25

A Challenging Start

On 26th February 2016

The start of this module hasn’t exactly been plain sailing. Not only is it different to any Open University module I have previously encountered but my health hasn’t exactly been playing ball.

Virus after virus, a flare up of shingles and another virus have resulted in a ‘blip’ (I’m hoping not a relapse) which has meant at times an hour’s study a day has led to total exhaustion for the rest of the time.

Trying to come up with a suitable project topic, then make a project plan and start on some project work has been immensely challenging to say the least. There have been times I’ve come ever so close to packing it all in and giving up on my degree. It’s just seemed too difficult, too stressful and at times I’ve wondered why I’m doing this?

But with the help of my family, friends and tutor I’ve found a suitable topic, I’m feeling slightly less stressed about it and have decided to stick at it. After all if you never try you’ll never know what you can achieve.

The trouble with having such limited energy, struggling to come up with a solid project idea until quite late in the day and generally being so unwell all the time is it leaves you very little time to start on project work and complete the first TMA. As I have discovered. I’ve pretty much had two of the four weeks available to actually start some work and complete the TMA; the other two were spent trying to come up with a decent idea and being too unwell to even consider studying! That’s with me pushing through the tail end of viruses, something I shouldn’t do as it risks delaying recovery but if I hadn’t I’d have had less time to complete the work.

It’s been quite a palava getting everything done in time as it is. My self-imposed time limits don’t help matters either; I like my assignments in a few days early to be sure I don’t miss the deadline due to losing my internet connection or whatever! As usual I’ve managed to submit a few days early but I’m not sure I’ve done enough to get a decent mark, which is why I’m relieved it’s ‘only’ worth 5% of my overall grade for the module. However I’d rather get a decent mark since every little counts especially when you never know what’s round the corner health wise!

Share this:

Preparing for TM470

By Clare

On 22nd January 2016

In My Open University Journey, Studying

Well it’s almost that time again; new year new module! This will be my penultimate module of my degree!! This one’s rather different to my previous modules as there’s next to no learning materials since it’s an individual project on a subject of your choosing.

Preparing for this project is proving more difficult than usual. Not only am I fighting another decline in health (after a period of improvement it’s plummeted again!) but due to the nature of this module and a change in household routine since I last studied it’s proving hard to know where to start.

I’ve started reading through the resources provided on the module website and have come up with one project idea I think could be viable. The problem is I can’t start on that project until I get the go ahead from my tutor, who isn’t assigned until the last week of January so what do I do in the meantime?

I’ve been trying to come up with alternative project ideas, just in case this one isn’t actually possible but so far I’ve been unsuccessful. I bet once I start the module and get stuck into the project I’ll see potential project ideas everywhere! But for now I’m struggling rooting around looking for problems which I.T has the potential to solve and I have enough knowledge of and interest in to make a project.

Without developing my project idea too far I’m trying to get as prepared as possible. I’ve installed a program, recommended to me by the forum moderator of TM470, which could help me if I go ahead with the project idea I have. I’m hoping in the coming days I can have a play and get to know how to use it so I haven’t got that steep learning curve during my project.

I’ve also made a note of all the key dates in my diary and on my calendars (both electronic and paper) so anything else can be planned around those. I’m planning on researching Project Life Cycle Models as one of these will need to be used whatever project I do and despite reading through the resources provided by the module I’m still at a loss as to the benefits of each one and how they work.

I’m setting up my android tablet to help with studying and planning. Mind mapping, referencing and note taking apps have been installed and I’m slowly learning how to use them. The ones which also have desktop applications and synchronise between devices will probably be the most useful but I won’t make that judgement until I really start using them!

As part of the project you’re encouraged to keep a project log. This is another thing I’m not sure where to start with but I have a diary dedicated to study related things so it might get kept in there. But I also hope to keep some kind of record on this blog as I progress through the course. We’ll just have to see how much time and energy I have to dedicate to it!

Share this:

Time for a Change

By Clare

On 21st January 2016

Some of you will already know this but for those of you who aren’t aware, the beginning of this year hasn’t been a particularly easy ride as my health has once again declined. As a result I’ve taken a bit of an absence from social media, only really answering messages (I still poke my head in there occasionally but nowhere near as much as I used to).

This recent decline has been a little different to most I’ve suffered. Usually my mobility is the first thing to suffer; my legs get weaker and I struggle to get around the house. That hasn’t really happened. I’m still managing to get around the house ok with the help of furniture at times.

Instead the fatigue has reached ridiculous levels, doing even the most basic tasks leaves me utterly exhausted. Noise sensitivity is becoming a real difficulty; any background noise leaves me unable to follow a conversation and results in a headache. My hands and arms are also suffering, stupid little things like opening the shampoo bottle have become more of a challenge; what should be a 10 second task can take me anything up to a minute to complete! The recent cold weather has seen the pain in all my joints increase significantly too.

Washing and brushing my hair have also become great challenges, prior to this blip I was managing a shower to wash my hair once, often twice a week. Now it’s a massive effort to shower and wash my hair once a week. I’ve gone days without brushing my hair or been forced to ask one of my parents to brush it for me.

And so I’ve made what some might consider a radical decision, to have my hair cut short in a pixie style. This wasn’t a decision I found easy to make, I love my hair long, being able to tie it back and generally do stuff with it but I’m struggling with it so much yet again that for now at least I think short is best. It should be easier to wash, brush and generally manage given my current energy levels. It’s shorter than I’ve gone previously during these years of illness.

Hopefully it’s a decision I won’t regret. Despite some nerves (OK a lot of nerves…) about getting it done, I’m excited for the benefits it brings; that little bit of independence I’ve felt slipping away in recent weeks. For that alone going short will be worth it!

One Week On…

I don’t regret it. I’ve had a few days of being unsure as to whether it’s the right style for me but it’s growing on me. (No pun intended!) It is SO much easier to wash and brush it’s remarkable!

I can’t stop myself styling it though. To the point I’ve actually bought some wax to hold it in place. It won’t take too much energy and might stop me rearranging my hair each time I go past a mirror! I never did this when it was long but now it’s so easy to do I can actually do it!! Thus far it’s not a decision I regret, in fact despite a few doubts, it may well be one of the best decisions I’ve made. In case you’re wondering what it looks like here’s a photo:

My new ‘pixie’ do!

I hope to update this blog again soon, but as my next uni module commences it could be a while between posts. There should however be updates galore on my study blog over at: http://lifewithmedoingadegree.blogspot.co.uk

Share this:

2016: Bring It On!

By Clare

On 31st December 2015

In Goals

Overall 2015 has been a good year, I’ve achieved things I never imagined. Sure there’s been some pretty terrible lows but I’ve got through them.

This past year I have:

Managed a weekend away, the first in I can’t remember how long!
Decorated the living room, it took me the best of of seven months but who counted?!
Strengthened my muscles, as a consequence of decorating, walking has become easier as I’ve built up the muscles while standing painting for short periods.
Not only passed, but got a distinction in my Open University module!
Baked cakes and cookies.
Prepared my own meals, some in bulk so they can be frozen and reheated when required.
Been out for a few hours each day for five days in a row without any major setbacks.
Spent a day as a Princess and raised £225 plus £40.75 GiftAid for Invest in ME

And that’s just the things which stand out!

For 2016 things will be a bit different. In February I begin 16 months of solid study to complete my degree. Between February and September I shall be studying at least 10 hours a week. This means most other activities will have to be put on hold as I try and complete the final two modules of my degree (Don’t worry they’re not running simultaneously! But I won’t be getting a break between modules.).

I hope to continue building up my walking so I can manage that walk up the local corner shop on crutches and I definitely plan on being involved in Team Princess again if I can. I think for everything else I’ll have to see how things go and base decisions on how well I’m doing as the year progresses. I’m not going to rule anything out since I can’t predict the future. A trip to meet some friends I’ve made online would be wonderful if it is possible. Delving into the world of dating would be another step towards doing something ‘normal’ for a person my age but I’m not sure I’ll have the energy while studying so much or the courage to go for it. We wait and see.

In the meantime I wish every reader a Very Happy New Year! I hope it brings better health and happiness to each and every one of you.

Share this: