Student parents support thread

[Lenni]

I used to come on this topic a year or so ago and post on the general hand holding support thread but it seems to have gone so I'm hoping there might be enough of us to start a new one.

I'm in my final leg of a M.Ed in Education and am currently writing my thesis which is going very slowly okay but am struggling to find time, motivation or energy to study. It would be nice to know others are in the same boat and have a place to handhold, moan, swap tips and motivate each other.

Molesworth that is great that you are writing everyday, it really does consolidate. I just read last term and other than my essay didnt write much but am finding I am taking loads more in by writing and taking notes from my reading (I know I should have been doing this anyway).

Anyway I am doing The History of History and Dictatorships 1917-1945 so a multitude of things within these, Influence of Marx etc. Pick a historian and talk about their contribution to the discipline and dor Dictators (far more interesting) I am swinging towards the inevitability of Eastern Europe becoming Communist or whether there was a democracy ever present, or a comparision of the Iberian dictatorships with the rest of Europe.

I am trying to steer away from the USSR and Germany only because I have studied them before (only at school) and wonder if I should push myself to embrace something new that I find interesting or stick to what I have a grounding in and just develop it. What do you reckon?

You know Molesworth are you more productive when you put it off... I say that because some people do just work better under the pressure of deadlines etc.

Lenni, I can identify with that: my problem with writing is perfectionism. Once I have a rough first draft, the process becomes much more satisfying and - dare I say it - enjoyable. The trouble is I've got into a habit of procrastinating for too long, so that I leave myself no time for thorough reworking of my material. Apart from the frustration of knowing I haven't given my best, this is something I know I won't get away with if I want to progress beyond undergrad level. I'm hoping that by doing this sort of 'freewriting' every day, I'll work through my ideas as I go along so the process of tackling that first draft won't be quite so daunting (because I'll already have got a lot of crap out of my system ).

mixedmama, your topic area sounds FAB!

Molesworth that sounds like a good idea, I might give it go, although I doubt I could write 1,000 words per day.

I just got irrationally excited - I have been waiting for the reading list and course outline for my Summer term course for ages (anal and want to buy my books etc) and it has just come through. Next term is The Holocaust which is going to be very difficult in terms of the material, especially as it is at an institute where we are going to be working with first hand documents.

Oddly enough, I did an extended piece of work last year on (broadly) social theory and the Holocaust, which involved an inevitably grim few months of intensive reading. I found it impossible to leave it behind after I'd finished and I'd like to study this topic in much greater depth.

I'd be interested to hear what's on your reading list mmmb. Are you going to be working at the Wiener Library?

Hahah Moleworth, yes I will be at the Weiner Librar!! Will post back with the reading list later, it is grim but I remember very clearly doing my GCSE coursework on the Holocaust and was in the school production of Anne Frank and it seems it is something that I have been studying for a long time.

Oh and there are still places available MW

This is almost freaky! I've been looking at a short course run by Birkbeck which is at the Wiener Library. It starts in April and I really, really, really want to do it, but think I might have to hold off until I've finished my OU studies. Not sure I'd be able to cope with the extra work, although the website doesn't give any details about how it's assessed. Must make an enquiry!

It's called The Holocaust: Propaganda, Experiences, Memory. Surely it can't be the same module, is it?!

OMG yes indeed it is. Oh do it do it you will manage then we can sit in class and try to figure out who is who.

What are the chances? That's amazing!

Do you know yet what the workload will be like for that module mmmb? I'm assuming there'll be at least a couple of essays involved? Ooh, I'm so tempted!

It will be two 1500 word essays or one 3000 word. Do it! Hmmm.... email me I will send you the course outline.

[email protected]

Then I will delete the post.

THANK YOU! Will email you right away

Hello all!

May I join too?

Well done Whiteflame!!

And do it Molesworth, you know you want to!!

I'm doing the 1st year of a degree through a University in the Community scheme. It sounds quite similar to mmmb's modules. I get 10 points for each module and when I've done 120 I move onto campus on 2nd year of degree course.

I'm on 90 points so far and hope to be on campus in September - eek!

I've got 3 DC, 13, 5 and 4.

I'm currently doing 2 modules, Social Nature and also Gender in the Media. For the social nature I have a 1500 word essay and a portfolio to do. For the gender one, a 1500 reflective on a poster presentation. And I've got a debate in 3 weeks time too.

I'm also writing a proposal for setting up a support group for community students.

Welcome BuckBuck.

Yes yours sounds like it is structured just like mine, my modules are 15 points each so 4 per year for 2 years works out the same amount of time as if I start at year 1.

Molesworth - have sent it.

Thanks for the welcome everyone.

Lenni and Molesworth - yes, it's full time course and pretty time-intensive. Luckliy, I have an extremely supportive DH who takes on lots of our childcare during the week, as well as working.

I'm really enjoying studying so far, and despite a few hiccups, it seems to be working for all of us.

It's great to know that I can speak with others in a similar situation to me, as there are no other parents at university.

I may not be around for a few days. I have an exam on Monday, so really must get some studying done .

MMMB, thank you for your help Just need to clear the £200 spend with DP now before I go ahead and enrol ...

Hello Buckbuck I like the sound of the modules you're doing. Have never heard of the University in the Community scheme before: what a brilliant idea.

Good luck with your revision and the exam, roomforthree! Should we berate you if we catch you procrastinating on here?

Oh dear, sorry for the emoticon overload in that post

Thanks Molesworth .

Did you hear back about the course?

Right, I'm off to facebook do some work!

Oooh me, me can I join please?

I'm currently in my second year of a BA joint honours degree in Education and English Literature.

I have 3 DCs, two aged 4 (1 at school, 1 at pre-school)and a 2 yr old at home, but starting 1 day at pre-school this week.

We have just finished our first semester and it is assignment time whoo hoo! I managed to get my education essay on effective and inclusive education in on time, on Monday. Now I am begining on my 19th century literature essay for hand in next Friday, but I am really struggling with it.

I just don't know where to begin and it is really getting me down.

Why do we do this to ourselves?

Welcome jacquelinehyde and BuckBuck Yay! I knew there must be a few of us out there.

Good luck with your revision roomforthree - now get yourself off MN and FB and get on with it!!

Jacquelinehyde - I'm doing a MEd in Inclusive Education, are you enjoying the course? Are your eldest two twins or just close together? I don't know what to suggest with your essay - have you made a start or are you still reading/thinking?

Buckbuck - your course sounds really interesting. I'm off to google it now.

Mixedmama/Molesworth - You have to both do the course now! That really is so bizarre, it's obviously fate Molesworth!

Well I am still struggling with my lit review - I have a structure finalised now, but need to add to the content and I have discovered yet another author who seems to have written loads that I had previously missed - grr.

Welcome Jacqueline.... my choice was a toss up between lit and history but i decided i could satisfy my need for literature without studying if that makes sense. More details please....

Oh and BuckBuck whatis the debate about, sounds fascinating.

Hello everyone, can I join too please?

I have 2 DDs aged 2 and 3 and I'm in my second year of a Literature degree through the OU. I'm actually doing an interdisciplinary course (A207- From Enlightenment to Romanticism) which has awakened an interest in History that I never knew I had! I'm sticking with Literature after this course though as that is my first passion.
I don't live in the same country as my extended family and have no babysitters (except DH but I feel bad asking him to look after the girls too often) so I get up to study 1.5 hours before everyone else in the morning. I've started to find that I need more time, especially with an exam coming up in June!