Only freedom will do

Suffolk_lass

I kept a dozen muslin nappies and I still use them - nearly 25 years on. In fact I used one at the weekend when I made elderflower cordial using the last of the flowers out of my freezer - I used it as a strainer!

Mind you, to be clear, I used them to protect my shoulders (work clothes and so-on) from baby-vomit and as mop-it-up cloths - not as washable liners inside terry jobs on DS

Don't go feeling as though you let anyone down. Bringing up children is seriously hard and time-consuming and I loved the convenience of disposable nappies. I know you know this, but I hope it's reassuring that you are supported

SL

edinburgher

SL - I'm a big fan of multiple reuse - I'm happy that someone else will give them a try It's not my fault that we couldn't continue using them for DD - I blame her prodigious intake of fluids! :rotfl:

I got my first textbook last night and started a little introductory study. I was momentarily overwhelmed as I tried to wrap my head around the key, the syllabus and the chapter structure etc., but managed to relax as I got into some reading and recognised a few familiar concepts from the outset.

I think that I am going to have to change how I study because of the nature of the material and the time available to me. The text is information and acronym dense. My thinking is to read each chapter through once, then read it again, noting down a) one set of notes just for acronomys and b) a second set of 'mind map' notes to bullet key concepts?

I will need to study from my textbook at home as it's quite cumbersome, but they offer quite a few ebooks and study aids that I will be able to read on the bus on my F1re tablet.

My current thinking is 30 mins related reading on the bus Mon-Wed (1.5 hours), 45 mins desk study Mon-Wed and Fri (3 hours) and 90 mins desk study Sat-Sun (3 hours), 7.5 hours total. If I can stick to that, I will accomplish 390 hours in a year, just below the minimum 400 hours recommended to complete my diploma. That's fine, I hadn't planned on finishing by 2017 anyway, so would aim to get 50%? finished by late summer. That would hopefully put me in the position to make hundreds of speculative applications showing that I am committed?

misscousinitt

That study plan sounds very sensible...but don't beat yourself up if you can't always stick to it.

The method of study ie reading and notes sounds good too.

MCI

chickadee

That sounds like a plan Ed! Well done you for starting this. It is a big undertaking and, I'm sure, not one that you have taken on lightly. The biggest hurdle is planning when you will have time to study, especially with work and family commitments, not to mention DIY. It sounds like you have a balance, I wish you the best of luck.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Delighted to read about your planned studies. Doing a job that you're really interested in will be fantastic.

I wish you every success.


Tilly xx

Karmacat

Three of my nephews, and my niece, are in finance - they all studied on public transport on their kindles, it can be done, don't worry - though only one of them had a baby at the time, hmmm.

I like the idea of noting down the acronyms separately

Best of luck with it!

edinburgher

I had hoped that technology had moved on sufficiently that I would be able to digitise handwritten notes with OCR - apparently not!

Has anyone used mind mapping software to capture ideas for study?

AlexLK

Study plan sounds reasonable.

How is this course assessed? Do you really need revision material (for an exam) or do you need a good method of planning essays / reports / other types of coursework? When I recently completed my second MA (History of Art, so not sure this is relevant), I kept a folder, paper and computer based for each module. Inside the computerised folder there would be other folders relevant to each topic of study. Online I had a similar bookmarking system for websites / links. Use Adobe reader for making notes on downloadable journal articles BUT be wary of writing out too many notes. Personally, I find a good essay plan will incorporate mind mapping techniques within it. If you want to draw up a mind map, get some A3 / A2 paper rather than messing about with software.

No idea how to learn acronyms, I've not long worked out OP for overpayment. Still no idea why people refer to their relatives as DH, DW, DS, DD, DM, DF etc. etc. etc. Can't see why that takes less time than to write daughter, father etc. :rotfl:

Knit_Witch

I think the short forms started in texts when you had limited letters (sort of like Twitter!)

gallygirl

I tried some mind-mapping software a good few years ago, can't remember which one. I didn't like it .

I found connections stayed in my brain much better when I drew them (and used lots of pretty colours ) myself. I used a similar way to revise, not mind-mapping as such but one central block with smaller ones around it, each with a theme/thing to remember in it. When revising I reproduced them in skeleton form and in the exam I was able to conjure them up in my mind and scribble them down in my essay plan, to the extent I knew topic X had six boxes coming off it and I had temporarily (hopefully!!!!) forgotten the pink bottom right-hand one. Worked really well .