Only freedom will do

edinburgher

Alex - The diploma consists of 6 modules, 5 of which are multiple guess (100+ questions), and one which is a 3 hour written paper covering multiple case studies. This is provided in advance (you're expected to construct detailed financial plans, so it's fair to be allowed to access external sources of information to help weave them).

Big paper strikes me as very inefficient unless you have a beautiful mind room?



Having finished the 1st of 10 chapters, I'm delighted to discover that the chapter summaries are actually fantastic, it's a really well written textbook. In fact, I'd go so far to say that the summaries are *exactly* how I would take notes myself :j

Will definitely be creating the acronym notes and some mind maps as well, I think that my learning style is fine absorbing text, but mixing up the mediums is a brilliant way to shock your brain into re-assessing a topic.

Still getting back into the swing of studying, only managed 25 minutes last night. It was, however, 25 minutes that I didn't fancy at all, so I am at least willing to force myself to sit down and study.

Not much financial news, although £10 profit from a Zopa referral will be wending its way to our savings account shortly

pavlovs_dog

I'm a mindmapper, and for me nothing beats pen and paper for this. When creating them to share with others, PowerPoint tends to be my software of choice. I've tried various apps, but if I have to go down the digital route then PP is the route I keep coming back to.

I can recommend Quizlet for learning vocab/acronyms/terminology and definitions. This will create revision resources and games to test your knowledge, tracking your progress to allow you to target your revision to focus on areas of weakness. I use this extensively with my GCSE and A Level students, give me a shout if you want any help or tips.

If you want to create and keep your notes digitally, Evernote is worth your consideration. The tag function in particular will help as your notes and knowledge grows.

If you go down the paper route for notes, consider the Cornell method for more traditional prose. A number of colleagues have introduced this to our A Level students who have responded very well to it.

Suffolk_lass

edinburgher wrote: »

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.

If you are reading on your tablet, why not use a notepad or google-sheets type app-thingy (technical term, that) to record your acronyms - then you can try to recall them when you re-read?

I'm with everyone else re mind-mapping on paper but I do use the pen on my surface pro for work. The trouble is, half the time it can't read my writing! :rotfl:

SL

AlexLK

edinburgher wrote: »

Alex - The diploma consists of 6 modules, 5 of which are multiple guess (100+ questions), and one which is a 3 hour written paper covering multiple case studies. This is provided in advance (you're expected to construct detailed financial plans, so it's fair to be allowed to access external sources of information to help weave them).

I had wondered if it'd mainly be exam based. Haven't took an exam since my undergrad days. As this was Music, if you knew the salient features of the repertoire you'd been studying and you could hear, you were OK.

From the description of the assessment process, it sounds like you need to be able to remember a lot of information.

edinburgher wrote: »

Big paper strikes me as very inefficient unless you have a beautiful mind room?

:eek: When did you let yourself in?

edinburgher wrote: »

Having finished the 1st of 10 chapters, I'm delighted to discover that the chapter summaries are actually fantastic, it's a really well written textbook. In fact, I'd go so far to say that the summaries are *exactly* how I would take notes myself :j

Will definitely be creating the acronym notes and some mind maps as well, I think that my learning style is fine absorbing text, but mixing up the mediums is a brilliant way to shock your brain into re-assessing a topic.

All sounds good.

Are there any ways to do past papers?

edinburgher wrote: »

Still getting back into the swing of studying, only managed 25 minutes last night. It was, however, 25 minutes that I didn't fancy at all, so I am at least willing to force myself to sit down and study.

Not much financial news, although £10 profit from a Zopa referral will be wending its way to our savings account shortly

You'll get back into it. Is it the first time you've properly studied whilst not being a full time student? My recent MA was and I found it very relaxing.

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

If you are reading on your tablet, why not use a notepad or google-sheets type app-thingy (technical term, that) to record your acronyms - then you can try to recall them when you re-read?

I'm with everyone else re mind-mapping on paper but I do use the pen on my surface pro for work. The trouble is, half the time it can't read my writing! :rotfl:

SL

I have an ipad pro with the pencil, so similar to your surface but I wouldn't use it for mind mapping as it's such a tiny screen.

earthgirl

I too would second quizlet for learning vocab and acronyms. There is an app. If you type in your text book and chapter number, it may already be there ready to help you learn! Use it everyday. Good luck with getting back to study!

LadyGnome

Ed
Good luck with your studies, it looks like a natural fit for you.

edinburgher

AlexLK wrote: »

Are there any ways to do past papers?

You'll get back into it. Is it the first time you've properly studied whilst not being a full time student? My recent MA was and I found it very relaxing.

Yes, I can get at the past papers online. This is my first time studying since my uni days (MA followed by a PGDip), relaxing isn't entirely how I'd describe it. Still, there is a certain stolid pleasure in digesting chunks of financial facts

earthgirl wrote: »

I too would second quizlet for learning vocab and acronyms. There is an app. If you type in your text book and chapter number, it may already be there ready to help you learn! Use it everyday. Good luck with getting back to study!

Thanks EG, will check out Quizlet this evening when I'm catching up with today's rugby matches :T

Going to hit the books in 20 minutes or so, just getting a few cooking projects started (gammon in cola, lentil and ham soup). A wee bit delicate after a very enjoyable evening at the inlaws last night, but not too bad

Added another £13 to savings (£10 from a Zopa referral and £3 from my monthly H@lifax reward (I miss it being £5!)) Signature updated.

Also remembered to transfer out my T5B interest, which is also gubbed now it has dropped to 3%

edinburgher

Good rugby yesterday! :j

Wildly exciting morning - tried and failed to rest after a disturbed night. Transferred £1.63 to savings (tiny bit of cashback and the balance of account rewards), listed a board game on Eb@y

Suffolk_lass

edinburgher wrote: »

Good rugby yesterday! :j

Oh yes! what a great result for Scotland, and for the 6 Nations. Such a brilliant opening game and such a nail-biter. Good to see Scotland back and beating one of the pre-tournament favourites.

England game also a nail-biter - had to leave the room at a crucial time and I was convinced they had blown it. It looked as though France had done a survey and picked the fifteen biggest blokes in the Country. They were mahousive (sp?).

No wonder the veg patch isn't all neat and tidy yet!

SL

edinburgher

I think France made a very shrewd move, tactically speaking. England were getting absolutely pummelled (physically) and looked flat footed for at least an hour. Luckily the quality of their reserves shone through, but they didn't look like a world class side. I'd be surprised if they manage a grand slam this year!