Highlighter shopping

Today has been day off work but has been a pretty busy one. Started with an airport run to Terminal 5 Heathrow with mum who's off to Scotland for a long weekend followed by going with dad on his voluntary work that he does for the hospital and then shortly I will be off to go and drop a car to the family mechanic to see if he can repair the unrepairable. I have also as the title suggests replenished my supply of highlighter pens which should last me till the course is over.

Just found out that an old friend is studying DD101 at the moment, I presume she is talking February start but should find out later.

I will do a post on DD101 reflections but will leave it until my mark for DD101 TMA07 is back so that I can be thorough about it.

The plan tonight is a bottle of wine and reading and highlighting Book 2 chapters 7 & 8 so that it is done and I can get on with Book 3 and TMA04.

After last night's tutorial I think I am a little happier with how to write up this report and also using about.com which has a great help section on psychology report writting.

People are talking about ditching one of the books for the exam and it seems to be common and actually expected by the tutor, I think Book 1 looks like it will be the one however I may revise the 2 chapters which have reared their ugly heads a few times in previous exams just so that I have choice in case I find a nightmare question for one of the others.

DD101 TMA07 Submitted & Finished

No boss day meant that I colud reference and cut TMA07. The cutting was really hard but hoping the right points were cut. I can't believe that DD101 is over........ it's been my friend since October so I went to the pub with the lads to celebrate. Nowt unusual there really.

Things with The Tech have moved on, won't go in to detail on an OU blog but it's all proved interesting and definitely makes work rather interesting. I am pro affairs at work now, they make the day more interesting.

ED209 Tutorial was wicked as always. No help can be given with the seen question so don't bother asking but loads of info on TMA04 which is going very very useful............ don't know how people do this course without tutorials due to amount of info given to help you along the way.

Hot guy in tutorial today, new and never seen him before.

Advise for TMA04 as I see it:

Get someone to code as well as you for inter-coder validity or do it twice yourself and put it in discussion and methods. My 'I' have been misinterpreted.

Use about.com to get a layout

Try to find a 'real' report to get guidence from.

Learnt a lot about Critical Analysis - 1 sentence on what theory is, 5/6 about the criticisms and 1 to sum up. Helps me loads.

I am thinking that DSE212 is going to be a fair bit easier than ED209!!!!!! To be honest, everything on OU website suggests this but being me, I couldn't wait.

Tomorrow is day off and it is pre planned - 10am - Mother to airport, 12.30 - Collect dad and do his voluntary work with him, 5pm - Meet The Tech for an hour, 6.30pm - Drop car to family mechanic............ Do I actually bother seeing ex-boy-toy as suggested............... I suspect not.

No boss day tomorrow..............yey

This means that I can complete and quite possibly submit DD101 TMA07 with a tear in my eye that it has come to an end. This will also give me a chance to do some of the background reading for ED209 TMA04 which after reading the forums is starting to make less sense than it did originally. The forums are really good for getting me to think about things that I hadn't previously.

Have spotted on boss's calender that he has a 3 day course at the end of the month which I see as opportunity to blitz ED209 TMA05......... I can't believe I am talking about TMA05 already.

Maybe a little good news on the fees front in that it may be the case that students who have already started their OU studies may be exempt from the tuition fee hikes that are imminent..... phew..... pretty certain I woul dhave bitten the bullet and still gone for it but this means that I can save more money for my MSc in October 2015.

The situation with The Tech is proving to be quite fun, it's all got a little flirty at work but at least now he is staying in the workshop more rather than buzzing around me, however I do hope that I opted for unlimited text messages in my tariff else it's gonna be an expensive one.

I can't actually believe that I am about to drop down to just 1 module.... I think it's going to make me feel lazy although it should give me a lot more time for ED209 to be the centre of my life. DSE212 starts October 1st which is 17 days before ED209 exam so suspect I will inspect my book parcel wheen it arrives and then leave it alone for the first 2 weeks.

DD101 TMA07 Update

Didn't actually finish business hours until 9.30pm so not a lot of free time. The things you do for your favourite boss............. and colleague............

Well, today was no boss day and it has been interesting.

I managed all my notes on TMA07 and wrote them up in to a rather nice assignment. The down side is that once it is referenced it is going to be around 200 words over the 10% over allowance and after playing with it, I can't find any bits that I want to risk leaving out. This should have been a 2,000 essay and not 1,500!!!! Note for future DD101 tutors!!! Have now left it for stepdad to proof read before pressing the glorious submit button for the last time on DD101.......... sob, sob, phew!!

Today has been entertaining in a rather naughty way. Since I left this job back in November a new tech started who is a little younger than the others and he's pretty cool to chat to. Everywhere I went today, he's been there to the point that others have been making comments about it........... me being me has been a little oblivious to it until after lunch when he offered to take a look at my sickly toy car at home (still didn't see where this was going.....Duh) so we swapped numbers, now the texts have got a little flirty. From now on he will be called 'The Tech' as I have the feeling the story may progress. 'Boy Toy' is in trouble at work but this really isn't so much my business anymore even though we are remaining friends and 'The One' is confusing the life out of me since bank holiday Monday so I don't know whether I am coming or going.

I am living the dream.............. REALLY?????

Long required update

It's been a while since I blogged, this is mainly down to the fact that I can no longer do it from work which is a pain.

ED209 TMA03 has been submitted, the more I re-read it, the more annoying it was so just submitted it to be done. Relief.

DD101 TMA07 is virtually in note form and as it is 'no boss' day tomorrow at work, the notes will be finished and I plan to have my first draft finished too.

ED209 TMA04 - Have looked at it and will wait till I submit DD101 TMA07 before actually starting it.

SD226 - Registered and confirmed

DSE212 - Applied for financial support and waiting to hear back

New job - I am back where I started when I first started this course which is nice and familiar. Sold a few cars, one to a VIP. Love getting up 45 minutes later than before.

Boy Toy - Dumped him yesterday but he is okay and we are remaining friends. I feel sorry for him a lot but I think I am stuck with him one way or another for a while.

The One - Saw him Sunday night whilst I was sober and he was wasted. All very confusing but have a feeling it will become clear pretty soon.

Voluntary Work - FINALLY have heard back and have interview on the 13th. I am actually rather nervous but quite excited.

Brief update but far too much to go in to on one post so thought that something was better than nothing. The next update will be on the progress of DD101 TMA07 which is groovy as it will be the last time I press the submit button for DD101. Gonna miss it but glad it's almost behind me.

A day of dread

Ar 6.10pm today I will be resigning from my position here which means that I should be let go of on the spot for going to work for the competitor however byu the looks of it, there will only be 1 person left here tomorrow so wondering about the outcome. Am prepped and ready to be gone tonight, stepdad is preped to come collect me once the deed is done.

If the above goes to plan then it means that I will have 2 days without a car and therefore I have 2 days to blitz ED209 TMA03 (due next Tuesday (that crept up on me)) and DD101 TMA07. I am ready to see the end of DD101 now, I have really enjoyed it but now starting to see the workload involved in running 2 60 point modules together although I am doing the same again at the end of this year with SD226 & DSE212 however with no exam for SD226, I think that I might be okay.

I am stacking it about resigning today but my work buddy is going to stay with me till I've done it.

DD101 TMA06 Results

The results are back and it is by far the worst result I've had back to the point it barely passes however it is also the best feedback because it has explained critical analysis so much better to me. Picking a viewpoint and arguing for it is not what is required. Evaluation is the key here. I'm glad I screwed it up on a course that does not affect my final result however wish I had't picked the TMA with the most weighing. Fingers crossed for TMA07.

Attachment Theory

TMA03 is proving to be rather interesting, I am around 900 words in to the 2000 word assignment and have found a 'flow' with it. The first 1000 words will be from chapter 1, around 500 from chapter 2 and the rest on introduction and conclusion. I think I may have cracked it. With 3 assignments due in a 4 week period I am rather glad this is the case. I haven't looked any further in to DD101 TMA07 as would rather focus on the course that affects my final grade so will wait till I've pressed that glorious submit button for TMA03 first.

Weather seems to have taken a downturn but this is a good thing with regards to study as the temptation to be outside is not there so much.

Have decided to take the job back at my old company due to the freedom to study and go to tutorials even if they are on a Saturday which I am sure will be back for other courses. Will be resigning at 6.10pm on Wednesday after I have done 2 handovers and it will save the 'walk of shame' as the only people who will be left in the building are my boss, myself, 1 colleague and a service guy. I hate doing this but hey I should be used to it after the amount I've done it recently.

Off out to see 'The One' tonight, it's wrong I know but I have a lot of fun and can chill with the channel hopping maniac.

ED209 TMA02 Results, Tutorial 3 and other Stuff

Last night was tutorial 3 for ED209 and as per usual it was a god send. A little guidance was given for TMA03 which has helped massively so really need to get a start on it especially as there is a tight one between ED209 TMA03, DD101 TMA07 and ED209 TMA (which is still freaking me out a little). My tutor is a total dude with a wealth of knowledge about all the topics. It has been suggested that I should compare and contrast but still be critical and close it down so that nobody could pick holes in my arguement. I would really struggle with my grades on ED209 without seeing him on a monthly basis.......... almost educating rita.

ED209 TMA03 results have come back and I'm not unhappy, don't think I could have done much better although my tutor comments were interesting, he really just added comments about things that I hadn't thought of with regards to fine details which hadn't even crossed my mind.

Just printed the wiki entry on Bowlby's attachment theory so hopefully it will be of help in preparation. Will do some internet research on the topic whilst at work today because I'm on my own and now a little bored.

Voting Day - NO to AV

Tonight is voting night which is a family thing in my household.

My stepfather is a firm believer that if you don't vote then you have no right to complain if things aren't good. This kind of actually fits in well with the ideas for DD101 TMA07.

Tonight we will be visiting the village hall to vote 'No' then off to the pub for the celebratory beer.

DD101 TMA06 Submitted

Phew...... had panic attack all of yesterday thinking that the cut-off was at midday however DD101 still has midnight cut-off so managed to get it in at 7pm ish.

Time to make a start on DD101 TMA07 which after re-reading the brief, isn't going to be as problematic as first thought. It is only 1 chapter in the book which is important and not all 3. I have read through the transcript 'Citizens and the state' which has been very worthwhile as it has got my head around what the question is asking for. Now it is just a case of putting and arguement together.

ED209 TMA03 is due sooner so really need to blitz through these. I have a couple of Sunday's at work to get my head down on these but need to get some notes down first and get my head around it all. Erika Cox's booklets could prove rather invaluable for this TMA. I really want to get both these assignments done ASAP. I can't cope with the feeling of panic of leaving these things to last minute and I am looking at ED209 TMA04 with a complete blank.....................

DD101 TMA06 Completed

I managed to finish TMA06 on Sunday, it is now in the hands of my stepdad to make better English out of what I have written. I am pretty pleased with my assignment and hope tutor sees it in the same light. This is also my first critical analysis so hope I got that bit right too. I am hoping that critical analysis actually means picking a view point and finding evidence to back it up............. fingers crossed I am not way out.

Just took mum to Crazy Bear for lunch.......... expensive make-up for forgetting her birthday............. would have just been cheaper to buy a card so should teach me for next year.

Have started notes for DD101 TMA07 and ED209 TMA03......... hoping not to leave these to last minute.

Will be submitting TMA06 later today.

DD101 TMA06 Update

Thinking back, I actually started work on this assignment back in December when I was in my last company so based on that it has taken me over 4 months and I still have left DD101 TMA06 to the last minute to complete!!! This is not a good sign however since then ED209 started which has taken a fair bit of time. To be fair it is purely the write up phase as I think I have read the chapter so many times that it is almost commited to memory.

TMA system is down on Tuesday which is a pain as the TMA is due on Wednesday and boy toy's flat doesn't have internet access but I'm sure I can work around it.

Forgot mum's birthday last week so I'm in bad books however I am making up for it by taking her to The Crazy Bear for lunch, she's been wanting to go for ages because I used to go a fair bit and all her friends have been. Set lunch £14.50 is okay, larger at £6 a bottle is less okay. I suppose it's my fault for forgetting.

Erika Cox booklets have arrived and think they are going to be very handy especially for ED209 TMA03.

Have been thinking about DD101 TMA07 and making a few notes but I have to admit that the content isn't flowing too well in my grey matter and I'm struggling to get my head around it so doing a lot of googling about legitimate authority of states.

Back to DD101 TMA06 I suppose, 400 words done, only 1,100 to go, referencing and a self refelction to go. Arghhhhhhhhh

P.S. Royal Wedding - ended up watching it, actually enjoyed it and think they are a lovely couple. Also watched the Wills & Kate Love Story (I know, I know) but although it was a little cheesy, it actually was watchable.

Juggling 2 courses

This is a first for me but with only 6 days looming until ED209 TMA02 is due, I have barely typed anything for it at all. I won't say that I have done nothing because that is far from true. The TMA02 forum on my the website has had lots of info to get me thinking so I think that I can pretty much blitz through it once I actually sit down and start typing but I've not so far left any TMAs this late to do............ I hope this is purely a glitch.

With DD101 TMA06 due a mere 7 days after ED209 TMA02 I am feeling a little behind although I have most of TMA06 typed, just need to make sense of it and reference but will leave that till the day of the Royal Wedding I think.

ED209 TMA03 due May 24th - Very similar to TMA01 so quite happy with this one
DD101 TMA07 due June 13th - Then I say goodbye to DD101 but want this done ASAP because of ED209 TMA04
ED209 TMA04 due June 21st - First practical and looks like heavy going..Doh

DSE212 - Starts October 1st so no overlap with ED209 apart from exam time
SD226 - Starts February 4th and after reading other people's views, this is a heavy going course.

ED209 Update

I have now worked out that if I can finish fOCUSII - Collection 2 which I have started but keep loosing the will to live with and complete fOCUSII - collection 3 then I am free running until May 21st but as I am getting very much in to the readings, I am pretty certain I will finish Book 2 before Easter and therefore I am free running (TMAs excluded) till the 3rd June which is a great feeling.

I can get on properly with DD101 TMA06, TMA07 (which requires a fair bit of reading and note taking) and ED209 TMA02 which I really need to get done between now and Easter weekend, TMA03 (I am looking forward to this as the question is based around atatchment theory and disturbed/disturbing behaviour) and make a start on TMA04 (practical, scary).

Onwards and upwards. Really, really want to get DD101 done and dusted for 2 reasons: 1) It will feel like a huge achievement, 2) I can totally focus on ED209.

DD101 TMA05 Results

Finally my results are back however not sure they were really worth the wait. This is the lowest grade I have had so far and unless I hit gold with TMA06 and TMA07, I may only finish the module with a Pass 3. DD101 as I've mentioned before doesn't actually count towards my final degree mark but I would like to finish on a pass 2.

After my 2nd tutorial for ED209 and the advice on critical evaluation, I am going to take a totally different stance for TMA06 than previously thought and planned. Up until now I have been pretty much 'dumping' information in to my DD101 assignments so now it is time for a change. For TMA06 I am choosing the option of the question about migration and I am going to take a side and only use the evidence that supports my arguement. I know that this probably sounds like something I should have been doing from the start but my awesome ED209 tutor has really explained TMAs well and I now understand what should or shouldn't be in them.

I can now use DD101 to experiment on TMA structure as it will do no harm.

ED209 TMA01 Results

Logged on to StudentHome to see if I had a result and there it was........ pretty much what I expected and after reading my feedback I suspect it was a fairly kind mark. I am not saying that my tutor has gone soft or anything but I appear to be struggling with introductions so really need to work on this along side referencing and both together would have taken me to the next OU level.

Have managed to work a little on DD101 TMA06 and bit sfor DD101 TMA07 which is either going to be a real struggle or I will end up with so much info that I am going to facilitate a major cull of info.

Really need to get on with ED209 TMA02 which is the first one due. I think I have hit a focus on DD101 because it's nearly complete with the last 2 TMAs to submit then I can kick back and hit ED209 with my full attention.

I am 15% of the way through the degree with regards to TMAs which seems a lot considering I am only 5 months in to the 4 years but hey, it sounds great.

ED209 TMA02 Progress

After a little trip to sunny Brighton yesterday buying clothes that I love but have no idea where to wear them to I am at work without a boss and messing about with ED209 TMA02 which is proving to be a bit of a pig.

I have always been told that if a question is offering 10 marks then it requires 10 different points etc....... so I have a word document which is split in to the 9 questions broken down further in to the numbers of points that I need to provide and a word count break down of 20 words per point (I know this is very simplistic but it should get me through this). By doing this I have discovered some huge gaps in which I have no idea what to put but am filling it with the notes that I made on Wednesday.

I am taking a little break (sort of) from DD101 as TMA06 isn't due till May 4th so have plenty of time at the moment. TMA07 is in my mind but only so I can clarify some bits and with the problems in Libya with regards to Legitimate Authority of a territory, I believe that I am understanding some of the material better.

Today is going fairly quickly as been pretty busy (this is a first!!) and I'm off shortly to a customer with a car for them to drive and see if they can fit golf clubs in the back........... I have done this so many times in my 7 years in this game that I know exactly what will happen...... remove the driver and the bag and electric trolley will be comfy.

I am starting to get to grips with the idea of fitting study in whenever possible even if you only have a few mins to spare. It's amazing how much you can actually get done in a very short time and also because it is only for a very short period, you actually tend to remember far more. It really helps that OU stuff is all online and I have a job which gives me total internet access.

11th hour ED209 TMA01

Made a final amendment and have submitted ED209 TMA01 before the morning meeting. Not normal for me to have submitted on the day......... hope this does not become a habit.

Focus now on DD101 TMA05 and although well over word count, I am far happier with the new version to the previous one. (Only 2 more to go after this!!!) Think I need to book a long weekend to blitz TMA06 and TMA07 so that I am free of them.

Part 2 on a Sunday

I have managed a little headway on ED209 this evening and and reading and highlighting Chapter 4. ED209 TMA01 is still in rough draft form but it doesn't need any major changes so am putting it to one side for a while.

Current Assignments in Progress:

DD101 TMA05 - Complete but will recheck before submission day 22nd March
DD101 TMA06 - Still is really rough draft stage but started it before Book 2 arrived so want to read and highlight the relevent stuff and have a play around with it. I have found the reading for this TMA to be a little one sided.
DD101 TMA07 - Still reading and highlighting but it's pretty interesting
ED209 TMA01 - Rough draft but no bad due 15th March
ED209 TMA02 - Have looked at it and read the material but not going to start until DD101 TMA06 is written and I'm happy with it.

My eyes have got a little sore from reading this evening. Turns out everyone was feeling ropey after last night escapades so it's quite in the house this evening. Mum couldn't work out how she got quite so drunk then we pointed out the shots!!! She is a little ashamed. I think I will have a couple of quiet nights Monday and Tuesday as I need to be at train station on Wednesday at 8.15 to start the journey to Disneyland Paris!!!! Can't wait.