About to start the final year of my degree - workload expectations...

[SuzySox]

Hi all,

I'm about to start the 3rd and final year of my degree. Just wondering what sort of increase in workload I should expect. Did anyone find the workload in their final year increased significantly??

How easy did you find it to cope?

what are you studyng suzy?

My degree was modular so the workload was equally spread over the three years. We didn't have "finals" as such. What is your course like?

I enjoyed the final year of my degree much more than the previous two. Had a lot more independance and lots of input into the work that I actually had to do. Did four units/modules (whatever they are called) as well as an independant study unit and the final year dissertation.

Loved it. Less time in uni - more researching and working independantly.

I only attend uni once a month but I will be doing six module, six exama and final year project/dissertation.

I ask because I noticed that I was getting marks in the 80+ region in my first year then I noticed my marks dropped in the second year for what I would have considered the same quality of work. I also noticed the time I had to spend on the 2nd year work was considerably more than the 1st year.
I wonder if I should expect the same jump in expectations/quality again or whtether the jump is just between the 1st and 2nd year (does that make sense?).

I work full time and am single mum so all my studying is done in the evenings once little 'un is in bed. Being able to have some realistic expectation will help me plan my work load a bit better and help decide whether I will need to keep any holiday aside for 'catching up' or maybe even 'keeping' up.

Depends how good you are at being organised. I was working p/t, volunteering p/t, three kids, uni three times a week with total of four hours travel a day, and did a basic teaching certificate at the same time as the final year of my degree (although not a single mum - DH worked away from home, only coming home for one wekend everymonth - more of a hinderance than f he'd stayed away). ANyway, I got into the habit of housework and me or friends time when kids were at school or in childcare and did uni work one full day a week and at night when they were all in bed.

You have to be very strict and not answer the phone, door etc, during work times. Family and friends didn't like it at first but they soon got used to the idea.

wow joash! you must be one organised woman to fit all that in!!

My friends moan a bit sometimes but they don't understand how important it is to me to do well. I really would like to get a first. They have got used to it.

It would help a lot if I could give it one days focus just so I wasn't trying to do it when I'm already knack'd from the day but that only happens if I take a days holiday from work and dd is in nursery.

When did you finish your study joash?

Used to eb organised, don't know how I did it at that time but I did. Lots all organisation capabilities when became responsible for grandson. Recently applied for another degree for next Sept, so have to get organised again.

I finished my degree in 1998, then did a PGCE/PCET, then a postgrad diploma, then after three years rest first year of a PhD - had to give that up to care fro grandson - he's worth it though.