A Good Cup of Tea...

Well after all the brewing, I finally made a good cup of tea.  For the first time I am actually pleased with my mark.  Whilst there are still improvements to be made, I at least feel that I am on the right track.  

 

Now to tackle the next one.  In my opinion the fourth and current assignment is by far the hardest yet.  (This is not helped by the somewhat strange and seemingly misjudged order of the chapters.  I won't bore you with the details but I can't make up my mind if it's deliberate or an oversight on the part of the OU).  That obstacle aside there is also the ESSAY PLAN to contend with.  'Ahh well', I thought, 'it's going to be better this time, I have double the word count' - and then I read the question,  stared blankly at an empty piece of paper for a few hours which eventually turned into a few days.  After another day of trying to gather my thoughts and ideas on Tradition and Dissent in English Christianity, I tried the suggested mind maps -  the colour pens were called upon and a frenzy of cross referencing began. This technique definitely helped.    It's been mind maps galore in my little hideaway and finally, after much procrastination, I have produced a plan! I am sure the theory is that I have done the bulk of the hard work and now the essay will flow out of my mind and onto the page with ease...... I wish!

Top Tips?

I am willing to give it a try

The OU are running a competition this month for students to give their top studying tip and it got me thinking.  As a relatively new student I'm not sure if I am yet qualified to give a top tip but I do know what works for me and what doesn't.  

Aside from the need to be able to study away from family life I have noticed something recently.  When discussing my essay topic (with anyone who will listen but typically The Guitarman), I usually come to some realisation or conclusion that I hadn't thought of before.   It seems that giving a verbal account of the topic helps me in some way that writing alone doesn't do.  I'm already an advocate for the tutorials (if you can manage to attend), which go some way towards this solution -  but I hadn't quite expected this development.  In all honesty I haven't even needed a response from the listener, it is more the fact that I am putting my thoughts in order so therefore, I suppose, I could be speaking to myself.  I haven't yet put this to the test but I am willing to give it a try. 

....So, my top tips:

• Shut yourself away
• Start talking to yourself

BREAKING NEWS......
 
MADWOMAN LIVING IN HERTFORDSHIRE SHED....LAST SEEN CLUTCHING AA100 BOOK 2 WITTERING ABOUT TRADITION AND DISSENT IN ENGLISH CHRISTIANITY....APPROACH WITH CAUTION... 

Leaving it to Brew

Leaving it to Brew

I am currently working on my third assignment which consists of two short (make that very short) essays and a deadline to submit at the end of next week.  With two assignments under my belt I am trying an approach that makes sense but quite frankly scares me a bit.  Part of the battle with these initial assignments is the small word counts and therefore what to leave out without leaving too much ...um out.  My approach this time is to write the essay, leave it for a few days, make changes as usual and then leave it to brew for a few more days.  The result so far has been a complete restructure of the essay - I am happier with it now but there is a little niggle in my head 'was it better before?  I can't tell anymore I've read it so many times.'  I am now working on the second essay which hopefully will give my brain a respite from the first and it will all become clear again on my final check before submission.