W100 Results!

*drum roll*

Another Distinction!

That's my two level 1s complete and 120 credits towards my degree. A third of the way there :D Hooray!

looks good huh?

I really enjoyed W100 and recommend it as a course, it helped having a fab tutor too.


A200 is a LOT of reading. A very lot. I'm just about treading water with it all at the moment, my first TMA results came back last week and I managed 78/100. Not bad for my first level 2 TMA I think, and lots of good feedback for improving.

I've got lots of time next week to get ready for TMA02, which is due in on the 12th and I'm not going to take a break over Xmas so I can get ahead a little before DD203 starts next year.

Phew.

Busy days, but happy days :)

W100 Complete!

Hooray, W100 finished. The deadline was last Thursday but I managed to submit on Tuesday. It was a painful EMA writing experience and I do not think I will be getting a distinction for this one, but it should manage a pass. I will be very happy just to get a good pass mark

A200 Module site opened last Wednesday and I got my tutor allocation and Daisy discs on Friday. I've spent today putting all my tutorial information on the calendar, tutorial and TMA deadlines in my filofax and copying that over on to Google calendar too. No excuses ;)

I've copied my Daisy MP3s so I can listen to them separately as audiobooks, as well as using them as they're intended. Block corrections have been done and now all I have to do is get started.

Onwards!

To substitute or not to substitute...

...that is the question.

I have 2 assignment deadlines within days of each other coming up in 10 days or so that are making me panic. W100 TMA03 is due on the 19th and DD101 TMA06 is due on the 22nd.

I  already have an OCAS over 65% for DD101, so could substitute TMA06 and still pass the course as long as I pass the EMA. I'm probably not going to be able to get a distinction anyway, so not sure whether it's worth driving myself insane when I could drop it and focus on the EMA and W100 instead.

I think for now I am going to focus on W100 and get that done and dusted, if some miracle happens and I have both time and mental energy left then I will attempt DD101 too.

*ponders*

Catching up and getting organised

Goodness me,

It's a good job I'm more organised at OU deadlines than I am at posting on this blog! heh

Ok, so where abouts am I?

TMA05 has been completed and marked for DD101, so just 2 more to do then I've completed my first 60 point level 1! I have found some of the course hard to get through, but I am proud of myself for getting this far. The online tutorials really help, as does meeting like-minded students on the facebook groups for support.

TMA02 has been completed and awaiting marking for W100. I am loving law, I find it interesting and logical and I like the way the course is structured. Also my tutor is fantastic! Lots of information in the tutorials, notes emailed out same day, great at communication. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

I've also just registered and reserved places for my level 2 courses for next academic year. I will be starting A200 - Exploring history: medieval to modern 1400-1900 in October and then DD203 - Power, dissent, equality: understanding contemporary politics in February 2014.

I think they should keep me busy. *meep*

My youngest starts school this September, so I 'should' have enough time to get them done comfortably. For time management help I have just splashed out on a Filofax. The Palgrave Study Planner worked really well this academic year, but so much of the information in there is geared towards younger students that I wanted something I could completely customise to my own needs.

I've gone for http://www.filofax.co.uk/store/organiserdetails.asp?sizeId=2&rangeId=50&dsizeId=2 in red :)

I do love a bit of stationery :)

Timetable Update

*blows the dust off in here*

Still here, still studying! Have just completed TMA03 of DD101 and my W100 module books have turned up. Well, the first half of them have. They don't want to terrify us too much so stagger the reading material ;)

I am really enjoying DD101, although the Xmas break showed how horrendous my time management and self discipline is when confronted with cake and christmas telly. It was a struggle to get TMA03 completed in time and it was only sent 2 days before cut-off. Far too close to comfort for me so I'm working on time management a bit more.

The W100 materials look a bit intense compared to DD101, there is a difference in the layout of the books and information that makes them feel more intimidating but I'm sure I'll be fine. I worked my way through the introduction last night, and think I'll be ok.

I can't post a blog without some kind of recommendation and today it goes to

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gabrielittner.timetable

An Android timetable app that helps you organise your time, put in reminders, tasks, and due dates for coursework. It's in it's early days, but google sync will also be used so I'll be able to hook it up with my existing calendars too.

Loving it so far. I'm a sucker for colour coded timetables.

Hello!

Hello! I'm Dawn, 30-something married mother of two. I've got a couple of other blogs around for cooking and gardening but now I've got a new study addiction and I'm going to use this blog to focus on that. I'm going to use this for general blog posts and maybe as a bit of a reflection diary too.

I am studying an Open BA Hons degree with the Open University. My first module starts in October and is DD101 - Introduction to Social Sciences, I have another module starting in February which will overlap a little. A bit of pressure is good for my work ethic ;)

Since registering on DD101 I've been brushing up some dusty skills with The Good Study Guide and working my way through the study skills section on Student Home. I am just hoping that my brain gets the hang of this learning thing.

I was intending to wait till the module website opens on the 27th to make a start on the material, but I made the decision yesterday to up my points to 120 this academic year by taking W100 - Rules, rights and justice: an introduction to law in February so wanted to try and make a bit of a head-start on at least understanding what I need to do for TMA01.

So todays To Do list

• Start reading the Learning Companion 1 Week 1 section and following the activities.
• Try and find a productive way to organise my time and surroundings in order to study.
• Practise taking effective (and readable!) notes and filing them efficiently so I can find them again.
• Set up this blog - ta da ;)

Progress and reflections so far
Have read pages 5-26, watched the DVD where requested and made notes. Have completed activity 1 and will work on activity 2 this evening after taking a break.

My note taking seems to be a bit over the top, I need to work on making more efficient notes. Also my handwriting is struggling to stay legible due to disuse, hopefully this will change in time.