I haven’t picked up a text book for OU since submitting DSE212 TMA02 but I’m not too worried as I know I can go fits and spatz with it. Sometimes I won’t put it down for weeks and other weeks I don’t bother. I am ahead with DSE212 in terms of the reading but really need to get my head down with DSE212 TMA03 which is a qualitative report and the SPSS training that goes with it.
Work is like a ghost town. The phones went down this time last week due to a server issue and being a phone based company, it tends to lead to it being rather quiet. I have therefore decided to use my time effectively (maybe not in the comapanies eyes, however definitely in mine).
After a fair amount of career research I have a fair idea that I need to following:
BSc (Hon) Psychology (BPS accredited)
MSc – (Psychology based) (doesn’t need to be BPS accredited)
Advanced Microsoft Access
Advanced Microsoft Excel
Advanced SPSS
I have therefore found an online course which is free from Microsoft
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training-FX101782702.aspx
This appears to give me enough basic info which I can build on to advance myself, once I understand the concepts then I am pretty sure that I can teach myself with practice after that.
So today at work entails learning to use Microsoft Access which I have never used before. It’s actually pretty cool.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Monday, 9 January 2012
The Future: BSc-MSc-Career
I have really started to think about what to do after this degree. I think it was the fact that in 3 months I will be able to sign up for the first level 3 course has sparked this sudden realization. I will be doing a level 3 each year as I need to get Level 2 passes in both and I wouldn’t cope by overlapping and I don’t really need to. This degree was always planned to be a 4 year course and I could do with the extra time to save up for the MSc.
The original plan was to study for MSc Investigative Psychology at Huddersfield University however I have widened my options with good reason even though the original MSc might still be the case. After much research, it has come to my attention that I need to decide what career I actually want to follow at the end and more importantly, what career paths are actually available when I have finished all this study in September 2016. 2016 does seem like light years away but I’m sure it will fly by like the last 15 months with OU have already.
Current study status:
DD101 – Complete
ED209 – Complete
DSE212 – Half way through – Finishes June 11th
SD226 – Starts February 4th – Course materials have already arrived
DXR222 – Starts June 16th
DSE212 – Starts September 1st
DD303 – Starts January 28th 2013
DD307 – Starts January 29th 2014
MSc – Starts October 2015
I have been ‘surfing’ the web on quiet days at work (there have been many over Christmas) and I think I have a fair idea of what I what to do at the end of all this. I have however found that there are other things to learn which will be of advantage and that they are fairly easy although maybe time consuming.
1) Advanced SPSS use – I think a fair bit will be learnt on both BSc & MSc but whilst I have the access from OU, I might buy a book on the advanced aspects to play with.
2) Advanced Excel – I’m not bad with Excel at the moment but I am thinking that advanced Excel is going to be a fair bit more than I know so have found some free online training courses which I am going to start playing around with.
3) Advanced Access – I have never really used Access so this could be the toughest but as with Excel, free online training courses.
I will follow with another post sometime soon on what MScs I have narrowed down to at the moment.
The original plan was to study for MSc Investigative Psychology at Huddersfield University however I have widened my options with good reason even though the original MSc might still be the case. After much research, it has come to my attention that I need to decide what career I actually want to follow at the end and more importantly, what career paths are actually available when I have finished all this study in September 2016. 2016 does seem like light years away but I’m sure it will fly by like the last 15 months with OU have already.
Current study status:
DD101 – Complete
ED209 – Complete
DSE212 – Half way through – Finishes June 11th
SD226 – Starts February 4th – Course materials have already arrived
DXR222 – Starts June 16th
DSE212 – Starts September 1st
DD303 – Starts January 28th 2013
DD307 – Starts January 29th 2014
MSc – Starts October 2015
I have been ‘surfing’ the web on quiet days at work (there have been many over Christmas) and I think I have a fair idea of what I what to do at the end of all this. I have however found that there are other things to learn which will be of advantage and that they are fairly easy although maybe time consuming.
1) Advanced SPSS use – I think a fair bit will be learnt on both BSc & MSc but whilst I have the access from OU, I might buy a book on the advanced aspects to play with.
2) Advanced Excel – I’m not bad with Excel at the moment but I am thinking that advanced Excel is going to be a fair bit more than I know so have found some free online training courses which I am going to start playing around with.
3) Advanced Access – I have never really used Access so this could be the toughest but as with Excel, free online training courses.
I will follow with another post sometime soon on what MScs I have narrowed down to at the moment.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
SD226 Materials Arrive
SD226 materials have arrived and I am surprised as to how much there is considering it’s a 30 point course. After reading reviews on the course I was expecting the work load to be higher than expected but maybe 6 books of complex information was more than expected. I am very glad that I did A-level Biology, and I’m surprised how much of it I appear to have retained.
On the basis that I have finished all the required reading for DSE212 therefore I really just have to get the assignments done, do the SPSS work and revise for June’s exam. I have started reading and highlighting Book 1 and would like to be done with Chapter 1 today. The only saving grace is that there is no exam to revise for therefore it is a case of understanding rather than memorising. So far I think that I am very interested in biological perspectives in Psychology which should be half the battle.
The other half and I are babysitting again tonight for his neice and nephew. We are now requested by the kids and we don’t mind too much. I would like to have got a little study done tonight which doesn’t happen with a hyper 8 year old but I have tomorrow. I really want to make a dent in DSE212 TMA03 next week and get the discussion done and the data in SPSS. I think it’s going to be fairly possible as I have Wednesday off and nothing better to do. I’m also planning to have got at least 2 chapters from SD226 Book 1 out of the way as I can pick this up as and when and can get bits done at work during quiet time.
Discovered yesterday that on March 27th I can register for either DD303 or DD307 for next year which has given me a jolt. I can’t believe that I am talking about level 3 courses already. I honestly have no idea which to do first. My logical brain is suggesting DD303 but only because it is a lower number than DD307 which makes me wonder if it’s marginally easier to begin with.
Oh well on to more SD226 rather than gassing about rubbish on here.
On the basis that I have finished all the required reading for DSE212 therefore I really just have to get the assignments done, do the SPSS work and revise for June’s exam. I have started reading and highlighting Book 1 and would like to be done with Chapter 1 today. The only saving grace is that there is no exam to revise for therefore it is a case of understanding rather than memorising. So far I think that I am very interested in biological perspectives in Psychology which should be half the battle.
The other half and I are babysitting again tonight for his neice and nephew. We are now requested by the kids and we don’t mind too much. I would like to have got a little study done tonight which doesn’t happen with a hyper 8 year old but I have tomorrow. I really want to make a dent in DSE212 TMA03 next week and get the discussion done and the data in SPSS. I think it’s going to be fairly possible as I have Wednesday off and nothing better to do. I’m also planning to have got at least 2 chapters from SD226 Book 1 out of the way as I can pick this up as and when and can get bits done at work during quiet time.
Discovered yesterday that on March 27th I can register for either DD303 or DD307 for next year which has given me a jolt. I can’t believe that I am talking about level 3 courses already. I honestly have no idea which to do first. My logical brain is suggesting DD303 but only because it is a lower number than DD307 which makes me wonder if it’s marginally easier to begin with.
Oh well on to more SD226 rather than gassing about rubbish on here.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
DSE212 TMA02 Submitted
I had today off so finished up my TMA03 and submitted it. I only had today and Sunday off to get it finished in time so thought today was the better option especially as the distraction that is the other half is working so had total peace and quiet. Tea and a Terry's Chocolate orange got me through. I enjoyed the biological psychology bit but Question 3 of part 2 was more long winded than predicted. Oh well, in 2 or so weeks time I will know how I did!!!
When I started this course I was so excited about results coming back and I'd have the date in my diary and be checking like a stalker. It bothers me less now, it's all about getting the assignments done.
SD226 books leave the OU tomorrow so I should have them by the weekend. This is still exciting but it also gives me the initial feeling of over stretching myself to bring this in to 4 years whilst working full time and having a slightly crazy social life. I appear to be coping which amazes me more.
Bought ink cartridges for the fountain pen today, I love it!!! Been using it for everything and all the draw backs of past fountain pens don't appear to be there!! It doesn't leak and it doesn't take a whole day for the ink to dry. Think that I am going to start a new trend for the re-marketing of the fountain pen.
Off to darts tonight, honestly I'd rather stay in and make a start on TMA03 but sacrifices are made to keep my little angel happy.
When I started this course I was so excited about results coming back and I'd have the date in my diary and be checking like a stalker. It bothers me less now, it's all about getting the assignments done.
SD226 books leave the OU tomorrow so I should have them by the weekend. This is still exciting but it also gives me the initial feeling of over stretching myself to bring this in to 4 years whilst working full time and having a slightly crazy social life. I appear to be coping which amazes me more.
Bought ink cartridges for the fountain pen today, I love it!!! Been using it for everything and all the draw backs of past fountain pens don't appear to be there!! It doesn't leak and it doesn't take a whole day for the ink to dry. Think that I am going to start a new trend for the re-marketing of the fountain pen.
Off to darts tonight, honestly I'd rather stay in and make a start on TMA03 but sacrifices are made to keep my little angel happy.
Monday, 2 January 2012
2012 2012 2012 2012 2012
Happy New Year!!!
Well 2012 is upon us and the papers talk of doom and gloom but I am optimistic for the year ahead. I have plans in mind.
By the end of this year I am hoping to have achieved the following:
• 5 nights in New York with my dearest.
• Moving in with my dearest
• DSE212 completed
• SD226 completed
• DXR222 completed
• The combination of the 3 above mean that I am over half way through this degree which is a major achievement and will be celebrated in true Champagne style.
• A weekend in a Yurt (xmas present)
• 5 nights in Rome (I’m actually going there for Valentines on business but to go with my partner would be the actual aim)
I don’t think anything above is going to be too taxing so highly achievable. I was going to add the purchase of a 3D TV but that might be pushing it.
Working today so doing my usual thing of reading and highlighting OU texts. I am actually on Book 2 Chapter 3 – Sex and Gender so I have pretty much almost finished the readings for DSE212 which is well ahead of time but I really need to kick on with SPSS workings so I will hit that in one go. SD226 is just around the corner and I am oddly excited by the prospect because I have really enjoyed the Biological Perspective to date.
Revision for DSE212 seems so little compared to ED209 with only 7 chapters to revise along with those Key Terms. I think I only have to revise one topic from Book 2 which will be Sex and Gender.
DSE212 TMA02 due on January 11th. Option B is the chosen Essay and I think I need about 2 more hours on it to get it ready to be submitted. Haven’t really said too much on Neurones apart from how drugs work on them but it seems pretty fluid. The methodology stuff is pretty simple so fingers crossed. Then on to TMA03 which is a quantitative report (oh joy).
Well 2012 is upon us and the papers talk of doom and gloom but I am optimistic for the year ahead. I have plans in mind.
By the end of this year I am hoping to have achieved the following:
• 5 nights in New York with my dearest.
• Moving in with my dearest
• DSE212 completed
• SD226 completed
• DXR222 completed
• The combination of the 3 above mean that I am over half way through this degree which is a major achievement and will be celebrated in true Champagne style.
• A weekend in a Yurt (xmas present)
• 5 nights in Rome (I’m actually going there for Valentines on business but to go with my partner would be the actual aim)
I don’t think anything above is going to be too taxing so highly achievable. I was going to add the purchase of a 3D TV but that might be pushing it.
Working today so doing my usual thing of reading and highlighting OU texts. I am actually on Book 2 Chapter 3 – Sex and Gender so I have pretty much almost finished the readings for DSE212 which is well ahead of time but I really need to kick on with SPSS workings so I will hit that in one go. SD226 is just around the corner and I am oddly excited by the prospect because I have really enjoyed the Biological Perspective to date.
Revision for DSE212 seems so little compared to ED209 with only 7 chapters to revise along with those Key Terms. I think I only have to revise one topic from Book 2 which will be Sex and Gender.
DSE212 TMA02 due on January 11th. Option B is the chosen Essay and I think I need about 2 more hours on it to get it ready to be submitted. Haven’t really said too much on Neurones apart from how drugs work on them but it seems pretty fluid. The methodology stuff is pretty simple so fingers crossed. Then on to TMA03 which is a quantitative report (oh joy).
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Language
I really have to say that in ED209 and now in DSE212 Book 2 Chapter 2, language is never going to be a subject that will interest me. I think it might be to do with the fact that although there are many theories out there, not one really gives a good perspective.
Biological Psychology however is rather interesting
Biological Psychology however is rather interesting
Post xmas update
I have really fallen behind with my blogging so thought that a worthwhile update was in order.
Xmas day was the usual family day of trying to be civil and in the most part it was pretty successful. The other half arrived at 8pm which made the evening bearable.
Yesterday was our 6 month anniversary and all seems to be going very well. There is talk of moving in together and he is not adverse to 12 months in Huddersfield when it comes time for my MSc.
New Job (I know.....again) is going swimmingly and appears to have been a very wise move. I love that someties great things happen when you think that you have screwed something up royally.
DSE212 is in full flow with the first TMA submitted and a staisfying result. TMA02 is due 11th January and I am around 75% through it. Just really need to make English out of the Essay and finish the research questions. I have had a spluge on reading and have almost finished reading and highlighting Book 2 Chapter 3 hich is way ahead of where I really need to be but it is interesting.
Revision topics for DSE212 appear to be a breeze compared to ED209 with only 7 testable chapters and in a real world, you could get away with 4 safely unless I have not read this all properly along with key terms. I have started to plan revision ready for June 11th exam. I get ahead because I know I go through periods of 'can't be naffed'.
For xmas my mother bought me David Canter's text on Investigative Psychology which I strongly suspect to be the first text in the MSc course and therefore at some point very soon I will start reading and highlighting and at £25 a pop, they aren't cheap.
Xmas Presents:
Superdry hoodie, Just Business by Geraint Anderson AKA Cityboy (already finished and pretty good although prefered his first), Binge Trading by Seth Freedman (Started well but got left in the pub the other day so need to go find it), Fountain pen (love this, been thinking for ages about going back to the old skool ways), HDMI cable and a night in a Yat in York.
SD226 starts in February so need to press on.
Xmas day was the usual family day of trying to be civil and in the most part it was pretty successful. The other half arrived at 8pm which made the evening bearable.
Yesterday was our 6 month anniversary and all seems to be going very well. There is talk of moving in together and he is not adverse to 12 months in Huddersfield when it comes time for my MSc.
New Job (I know.....again) is going swimmingly and appears to have been a very wise move. I love that someties great things happen when you think that you have screwed something up royally.
DSE212 is in full flow with the first TMA submitted and a staisfying result. TMA02 is due 11th January and I am around 75% through it. Just really need to make English out of the Essay and finish the research questions. I have had a spluge on reading and have almost finished reading and highlighting Book 2 Chapter 3 hich is way ahead of where I really need to be but it is interesting.
Revision topics for DSE212 appear to be a breeze compared to ED209 with only 7 testable chapters and in a real world, you could get away with 4 safely unless I have not read this all properly along with key terms. I have started to plan revision ready for June 11th exam. I get ahead because I know I go through periods of 'can't be naffed'.
For xmas my mother bought me David Canter's text on Investigative Psychology which I strongly suspect to be the first text in the MSc course and therefore at some point very soon I will start reading and highlighting and at £25 a pop, they aren't cheap.
Xmas Presents:
Superdry hoodie, Just Business by Geraint Anderson AKA Cityboy (already finished and pretty good although prefered his first), Binge Trading by Seth Freedman (Started well but got left in the pub the other day so need to go find it), Fountain pen (love this, been thinking for ages about going back to the old skool ways), HDMI cable and a night in a Yat in York.
SD226 starts in February so need to press on.
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