Mature study and retraining
I’m really struggling
BloomingInformation · 16/01/2022 16:48
I’m on the second year of an PGdip,
I’ve found all the assessments incredibly hard. I have discovered I have a learning disability! I can not write and find it almost impossible to structure my writing.
Still, I’ve passed (just) my assignments. This semester I’ve got three to do. One is awaiting marking. One is marked and this links to the one I’m doing.
I’ve got from Tuesday to Sunday to complete it to be handed in on the following Monday. Ive takes that time off work. I’ve done lots of reading and got copious notes. I’ve started structuring it.
I’ve just realized I can’t do it. I just can’t synthesize the readings and link to reality ( with refs) and decide what should go in appendix and what should go in refs and do the appendix and refs. and I just can’t do it.
I thought I’d be able to knock something out but I can’t. I’m laying on the bed in the dark crying. dH will do the dinner. I’ve got a headache.
The house is falling to pieces, my DC has health issues, I’ve got health issues, and I can’t cope. I’ve been like this throughout the course but I manage to pull something together. I just can’t do it anymore. I just can’t produce a other assignment where I get feedback on how fudging thick I am.
This has started as I got beastly feedback from the linked assignment-I passed but some of it was cutting. The markers are supposed to word their feedback gently fior people with LD.
I just want to cry in the dark!
I’m sure I’ll pull myself together for Tuesday but I am completely overwhelmed and wish I’d not left it so late. I thought a week would be enough to finish. I’ve had other assignments to do and work and Christmas and covid. I’ve done work on this one but I can’t put it together- there is so much information.
LiterallyKnowsBest · 16/01/2022 19:33
Oh dear …
Forget the references and appendix for now.
Ask yourself what are the five most important questions you need to address. Most of your notes will probably come under one of those headings. Perhaps you’ve already done this?
What’s the natural order of the questions? Which leads into the next?
Simplistic, but this is a way to start …
And perhaps it would be helpful to accept that feeling overwhelmed is part of your study process. It may be frustrating but it’s just a stage you need to go through - in order to achieve what you want.
BloomingInformation · 16/01/2022 19:46
Thanks literally
The assessment needs to be structured in parts so I thought it would’ve easy as I’d not have to do too much of my own structuring. When I sit in front of the pc with all my notes I realis that everything should go in all sections and I think I’m missing something vital.
I don’t know anyone else whose done this particular course that’s been as overwhelmed as I am. It’s for a work qualification so I know a few! Maybe it’s just past of my process but it’s a horrible feeling.
I’ll try again on Tuesday!
NotTheGrinchAgain · 17/01/2022 00:22
Argh! Essay crisis!!! I remember doing one all nighter and eating 20 Penguin biscuits whilst failing to produce a coherent essay once at uni, and that was without a LD, kids and a job. Cut yourself some slack! You are being far too harsh on yourself.
So, you know you are going to get horrible feedback but probably pass.
Great advice from pp.
Bash it all out into the computer and then slam the lid shut, come back and read it through next morning.
BloomingInformation · 17/01/2022 08:28
Oh, Rubbish snacks may help.
Thanks. I think I did all right in my degree years as I knew no better! I just knocked something out, thought it was great, passed, and was surprised when I didn’t get a first!
BloomingInformation · 18/01/2022 11:56
I have a plan and am sticking it here to encourage me. I have split the assignment into its parts. I know there will be various family distractions but this should still be manageable.
Tuesday: Part 2 of the document. About 500-600 words. References and appendixes for this part. Think of how to link to part 3
Wednesday: Part 3 of the document. References and appendixes for this part. Think of how to link to part 4
Thursday: Wednesday: Part 4 of the document. References and appendixes for this part.
Friday: Part 1 of the document. Think of how to link all parts to part 1 which is the conclusion really. References and appendixes for this part.
Saturday and Sunday: Proof the text and references and appendixes. Turn into PDF. Print and proof. repeat. Turn in.
Grimupnoorth · 18/01/2022 12:07
Me too me too!
You're not alone. Its so bloody stressful isnt it! I keep asking myself why am i doing this to myself? Im not quite at panic stage yet but close.
You are doing this because you like learning, to better understand your subject, to better yourself and give yourself more options, to be a good example to your kids. And finally because youre awesome. You dont see anyone else doing this do you? Thats because its bloody hard and most people take the easy way. You have not and you are still amazeballs!
BloomingInformation · 18/01/2022 12:21
Ha! I am so not amazeballs, balls maybe...
Panic keeps rising but I can't let it as I need to do this. I imagine you are the same? Let us both get something out and I imagine it will be lots better than our younger selves could have imagined we could do.
I don't like learning and have no interest in the subject. I am doing it because everyone else (at work) has done it and I need to keep up my skills to keep a job and a roof over my head. The pandemic has really shifted things and I need to have some evidence of this qualification if my job goes pear shaped and if I need a new one or need to move to a new area.
So options is good, yes, options.
ALl the best with it.
thelittlestrhino · 18/01/2022 12:29
What is it you’re studying? There might be someone here willing to have a look over. I regularly do this for family + friends as essay writing is one thing (and there aren’t many) that I enjoy and am good at.
Northernsoullover · 18/01/2022 12:33
I'll join you if you like. I didn't submit a piece yesterday. First time ever. I don't know if I'll get mit circs but I'm actually past caring. I still want to finish by Saturday. So I have 500 words of a 1250 piece. I am aiming for 500 tonight. (I still have another 3000 words to go to complete the whole thing). So let's check in tomorrow?
BloomingInformation · 18/01/2022 13:39
Great Northern, I will see you here tomorrow and see how we have got on. Good luck.
I don't think I have time to show anyone my work but it is also something that the Uni I am at actively discourages as they view it as too close to plagiarism. Sigh. If I had time I could show one of the learning support tutors though, so there is help available if you plan!
Northernsoullover · 18/01/2022 16:28
I will definitely catch up with you tomorrow. I've accepted I'm not going to get a distinction or a merit but a pass would be nice 
LiterallyKnowsBest · 18/01/2022 16:52
One thing - and I don’t know your subject so realise this may not be helpful, but …
You’re saying Think of how to link to part X. Which suggests your thinking is not quite joined up, even subconsciously. Ideally the themes, questions, solutions, whatever, in Part A should demand, or at least suggest inevitable progression to Part B. It may well be that these connections emerge as you’re thinking and writing (that’s what usually happens for me) but if you’re having to invent (?) connections then there’s probably some material in your text that isn’t needed. You need a clear line from beginning to end.
I know you already know this …
BloomingInformation · 18/01/2022 17:15
Thanks Literally. The structure has been given to us and I am finding it quite difficult to understand why it has been split up this way. It doesn't seem obvious to me and I am hoping it becomes so. THe whole module has been as clear as mud!
I know from my study skills classes that I need a paragraph, or a sentence at least, to get from point A to point B. This is what I was thinking about when I thought about linking. Does this sound right? It isn't an essay, more of a report.
I am writing but it is way too wordy, this part needs to be about 550 words at most and it will be triple that. I am going to have some cutting to do but don't know at what stage to do that.
Done post-school, will do dinner later and then come back to it after dinner.
BloomingInformation · 18/01/2022 17:16
It is a librarian course. I hope I haven't outed myself too much and will try and remember to name change-again. :)
BloomingInformation · 18/01/2022 21:16
Completed my today's to-do list and although it is in need of a good edit, it will do. It is a lot better than I had a few days ago. Off to make sure kids are asleep. I feel in a good place to start again tomorrow.
BloomingInformation · 19/01/2022 11:04
Only just started and trying not to worry about the fact. How are you getting on Northensoullover?
BloomingInformation · 19/01/2022 20:32
TOday started off badly, life stuff, work stuff and just not being able to DO IT. Still, I wrote something, am on track with my plan, even though today's mess will require a lot of tidying.
Off to do bedtime and tidy up for tomorrow. Those days where I could work on an assignment into the small hours are long gone!
LiterallyKnowsBest · 19/01/2022 21:14
Yup! But well done on what you did get done today.
Brains are funny things. They can throw up all sorts of resentment and despair to distract one from making progressing with a perfectly manageable bit of work. Though I’m not sure it gets easier even when one recognises this.
BloomingInformation · 20/01/2022 10:17
Thanks Literally.
Interestingly I do feel resentment and despair. I am not sure the work is manageable though as I have struggled with every assignment. I get the feedback returned and am told I have misunderstood what they wanted. Each assessment is different, an essay, a report, a project, so I can't learn from one to work out what I need to do next. I don't know what to ask about what II need to do as I REALLY don't understand what I am doing wrong, as in I don't know what I don't know.
Putting off starting today but at least I have turned the computer on. If I get today's plan done and dousted tomorrow will be easier...
BloomingInformation · 22/01/2022 17:04
Finished! Handed in with a day to spare to go over it again and correct any glaring errors. It’s not a great piece of writing and I’m not totally sure I’ve done what was required but I’ve done something. Thanks for accompanying me on the journey.
LiterallyKnowsBest · 22/01/2022 17:17
Oh, congratulations!
See? You could do it. And next time you feel you can’t manage an assignment you’ll know that’s just an illusion.
However. This unwillingness to pin down a tutor for properly effective advice … You need to get on top of that, too. That’s what they’re there for.
BloomingInformation · 22/01/2022 19:11
I’ve spoken to tutors but by the time it came to writing the assignment they were away for 4 weeks!
I work for a uni and our students say it’s impossible to get hold of academics in the vaccination periods. I now have my own experience!
However, next semester I’m going to nail them down at the start!
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.