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*

Purple upgrade

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am obsessed with all things purple. As much as I loved the red Metropol filofax I just couldn't resist this little bargain on Ebay. A purple pocket Malden that I'm using as a purse and filofax combined. It matches my Galaxy Tab 2. New and old tech working in conjunction with each other :)

Filofax addiction

I appear to have developed a bit of an addiction to filofaxes. A post on a forum led to this lovely blog - http://amanda-sheseclectic.blogspot.co.uk/  which got me researching the various types, then up popped a discount code and before I knew it I had placed an order.

My love new red metropol pocket arrived this morning.

I'm setting this up to use as a daily and student planner and I already have my eye on a pocket purple malden to use as a purse too ;)

I've been browsing lots of blogs looking for tips and tricks on filofax set up and wanted to say a big thank you to Philofaxy for the wonderful archive of information.

Time management and small children

My youngest start full time school this year, so hypothetically I should have 6 hours a day, 5 days a week in which to study. However, this is term-time only and I need to work out a schedule to ensure that half term, end of term, summer holidays and random illness days don't derail me too much.


It is scary how quickly time disappears when a 5yr old and a 3yr old are demanding all of your attention. Toby had a reaction to penicillin leaving him off playgroup for 5 days, and leaving me having to read 3 law units in 24 hours so I could be up-to-date for a tutorial. I do not want to have to do that again.

My study timeline is going to look like this for the next year or so which doesn't leave a lot of time for procrastination. I'm going to need to be extra strict with my Netflix addiction :/

Any tips or tricks?

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.

I joined the Dark Side...

...they had cookies.

I was bought a copy of Microsoft Office University for my birthday in December. As much as I hate large dorporations and try and use open source and small company products instead, I have to say that I'm really enjoying the software package.

I'm an ex-user of Office through previous employment and it's a pleasure using Outlook again. I love having access to sticky notes, calendar and mail all within one program without having to organise addons, themes and randomness.

Word 2010 is really quite fantastic, love the referencing ability and the new ribbon makes the whole word processing activity a lot more intuitive than before.

I still think Open Office is absolutely fantastic for free, and does all you really need. Microsoft provide some bells and whistles that I really do like though.