Tag: study

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University Study

Surviving Summer School

Summer School
Me off to Summer School

Found out the other day that I recieved a credit for contracts which was my second last subject university. I am thilled as was so unsure about the exam, finishing early does not fill you sometimes with hope. So that is done, now doing summer school and filling my head again with leadership theory and finding ways to fill gaps within project management with selected theory. Yes it does sound rather boring!

It is interesting when you deal with case studies/real examples to understand how theories are used, but 9 times out of 10 it is boring information in books or on the computer screen. I am now doing my last subject at university and very excited about it. As you can imagine with summer school it is condensed into a couple of weeks rather than months so there is a lot to do.

I am hoping that with the time constraints, kids, house, Christmas pressie shopping, and all other things that I get it all done. Plus the fact that we are going away to visit the in laws starting on boxing day so I want to have most of it done by then. I know a big ask, but if I power through it you never know.

Have you done a subject in summer or winter school and thought how in the hell are you going to manage it? Did you survive? Send in your stories.

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University Study

Yikes Summer School Starts Next Week!

I have just realised that summer school starts next week. It was meant to be ages away but it is now only next week. In my brain I thought December is a while away but in reality it starts this coming Saturday. It is so exciting that after this subject my degree is all done and I can then look forward to graduation, however I am now getting very nervous about the whole thing.

Firstly I have to make sure that I am all organised with the kids to go and stay at someone else’s place and of course make sure to pack all I need for school, me and the twins.  I suppose I have this time before next Wednesday occurs however there is always other things that come up.

To get to the university in time I need to drop kids at care and then try to get to the station to catch a train to the city. I will never have caught a train from this station before so will need to find out the times of trains for the days next week. Also not looking forward to getting kids up early to get to care but one of the advantages of this child care provider is that they take care of all food needs, so mummy does not need to worry. Although I am worrying and it has not happened yet, will my kids eat the food they are presented? I hope so.  If you don’t know already my girls are fussy eaters so they might not like anything but it could be good to be exposed to different and more choices. Also if they see other kids eat it they might eat it as well. I can only live in hope.

I just hope that my plan to get to and fro from the university works o.k and I am on time, also that the kids enjoy their time at the new centre and they are not too grumpy in the mornings. There is so many variables that need to work. Crossing fingers and toes they all align to let me have a stress free time.

My car also was unwell and not drivable for 2 days and now is fixed, although have not fully tested it so today is the day. I hope it is well as I need my car as I cannot get off to summer school and have the kids in care where they are booked in without the car. So send good thoughts for it to be fine, happy and well.

Do you find that if you want to go and do something that you have to plan and sort everything to the utmost detail so that you can have your time off? It would be nice to have someone else take care of these issues but it is not to be. Maybe it is the role of the mother to have to plan and organise everything. Send in your comments.

Now off to get dressed and ready to drop kids at school and then tidy the house and sort some things out.

Categories
University Study

Summer School Here I Come

More study awaits me. Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net
More study awaits me. Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Child care is sorted, place confirmed and fully enrolled in Summer School at the university. The subject that I am doing at Summer School is for my last subject ever with this degree, and if fingers and toes crossed I do well. I will graduate next April/May rather than next November, also doing this subject at Summer School allows me to have my year to myself and I can do things other than fuss, worry and stress about study.

It will be a nice change to have face to face lectures as this whole degree has been online and run via Skype and other various networking tools. I am no stranger to face to face lectures as my undergraduate was all done at the campus. Online study is good for kids and helps you fit it into your lifestyle, but I am so over the degree and keen on finishing. And as said, one subject to go, why mess up next year and add stress to coordinating group projects, presentations and assignments to boot.

Not sure how it is all structured and how it works with assignments, it is 2 days one week and 2 days the next. I would imagine that you would have to work with the week in between to get the work done and coordinate with the other group members. We will see.  It all starts early December so not sure how they deal with the course work. It is also interesting that the costs for summer school are the same as normal semester. Why would you not get a discount due to having the course shortened by many weeks, having it all done in 4 days over a period of 2 weeks deserves a price cut in my book. Maybe this is just me?

Now with this all this sorted, I need to focus on my subject that I am still studying and need to gain knowledge quickly to do well on the exam. Mind you the exam is in November but that date is fast approaching.

So rather happy about the organisation and getting it all sorted, now back to reality. What have you organised that you are proud of? And why can’t I concentrate on the subject now rather than graduation? I need to do well to graduate, without doing well no graduation, right? I think I am so sick of the study that I have mentally finished the degree as I only have 2 subjects left. Now brain, I have to do well. Focus! Study! I need to be able to answer and quote things in this exam. Maybe if I think of some songs or phrases that might help me remember some contract law?  Send in your comments.

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4 years and beyond The Slinky Project University Study

Time Dilemma

I went for a nice walk and jog or otherwise known as cross training yesterday. I felt great and good that I did it and my body was alive. I was all set to do it again today when my nose will not stop running and eyes are watery. I know another excuse but the other issue is that I need to complete a university assignment that is due today. I need to focus on the university assignment as this is my second last subject and I need to pass or at least better than that so that I can graduate next year. I am so happy about the graduate part, but need to do well or else no graduation, right? I am just keen to get it all done, then the time will by my own again. Aside from kids and other things.

It is hard when you have a lot on and it all happens at once, especially when you just want to shut the door and be left alone to concentrate. Do you find that this happens when you have something rather important to finish? I do. I know I am not the only one.

I will put the pram in the car and the kids and I will go for a walk this afternoon after school, this way I will be able to do my study and fit in some exercise. It is such a glorious day today, sunny and so warm it would be a shame to miss out on the great weather.  Don’t fear, I am still working towards The Slinky Project ™.

What do you do when you have so much on? Are you very organised and have it all scheduled? I do try and I get a lot done, however when I do need to spend my time at the computer for long stretches with uni it is hard to get all things done, especially while they are at pre-school. It makes me think that my post about “Cloning me would fix everything”, my other selves could do all the other things around the house, laundry, cleaning, and I would be left to do uni work and study? Or maybe some sewing?

Send in your tips and tricks for what works best for you. Why not continue the discussion on our twitter or facebook pages.

 

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4 years and beyond

Sewing or Study?

Today is the last day of term 3 for pre-school so my last day to myself before 2 weeks of school holidays. So the dilemma today is what to do? I do have many things to fill my time with but what would be the best use of my last day to myself? I really just want to do some sewing although I do desperately need to do some university study and start my assignment. Maybe I could do a bit of both?

I know many women love the school holidays, I for one am not over the moon that I lose my 3 days to myself each week. The girls are into everything and it is hard to keep the energy up all the time to keep the little girls entertained. Let’s just hope that the weather is good for the holidays so that we can go to the park, have some outdoor time and maybe have some play dates with their mates at school.

I think the plan for today is trying to fit in a bit of both, I have been getting more and more frustrated that I have not got back to my sewing and finished off the pants for the girls and started on other projects. Do you feel frustrated when you don’t get to do your own thing? Is it a pet project that you have been wanting to finish or just start?

The university study is also important as contracts law is something that you cannot instantly know so a bit of reading or thinking on some questions might be useful.  I think I will have a look at the assignment today and do a bit of sewing also. This way it will make me feel like I have done something more for me. I am still feeling sick from the flu/a bad cold so not the best. Mostly would like to curl up and go back to bed. However if I do that, I lose the day and will just get annoyed that I have not done anything with it. So I will pop a cold and flu pill and solider on.

Is it just me that has these dilemma’s on what to do with your day? Do you spilt things up so that you feel like you have done a bit of all things you wanted to do? Or is that annoying as you never seem to finish anything? Send in your comments.

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University Study

Uni Starts Again

More study awaits me. Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net
More study awaits me. Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tomorrow semester 2 starts, and it is my second last subject. Yippee I hear you say, I am nearly finished a masters degree in project management,however I need to survive this semester. The subject I will be studying is contracts management, although very interested and feel that understanding contracts is fundamental to a project going well, I am also very worried that it might be all over my head. ( I am sure it won’t be but last semester the subject was not easy, and the exam was the worst)

I have had a fascination with law and would in theory love to study law, just don’t know if I could actually do it. I have logged on to the online learning system and downloaded the material and now it is a matter of reading it and understanding it all.

It was a big shock to realise that my holiday from university is now over, the time went so quickly. I am upset as I wanted to achieve and do more. Even though I did not get some things done, I definitely had a rest and had time out.

Now I need to think positive and do a good job, as I want to do well this semester. There is an exam with this sujbect as with last semester, and I wish to be better prepared for this exam. Well I can only hope.

If you are studying has the course started again? Did you think you had more down time, I did.  I think that this semester will require a lot of reading and referencing regarding cases and precedents. I hope that I remember all the facts, wish me well. Send in your comments.

Categories
University Study

Busy with uni

Hi all, I am very busy working on the last assignment for university so have not posted lately. Sorry about this, however after assignment is done will post some more and will keep them coming.

Keen to get this long stressful assignment completed, then tutorial questions to do and study for the exam. Then after that I will be very pleased it is over for another semester.

Although I am working away at assignment and kids, I am really looking forward to my day off tomorrow and of course my birthday on Sunday.

Hope you are all well and more posts will start next week after uni assignment is done and submitted.

 

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3 years and beyond Pre-School

My free time = 5 hours x 3

Do you ever have visions of getting everything on your to do list done? Well I do, however not all does get done. It is a frustrating situation but I suppose with kids and other things going it is understandable that this never occurs.  However it does get frustrating that some things still are a work in progress and are not finished.

It might be just me but once kids go to pre-school, I have it in my head that I have the day. No I don’t, I just have the magic hours between 9.15am and 2.45pm so I need to get whatever I need to do done in that window.

Lately I have found that the more I have to do, not much gets done. I end up doing bits and pieces of something and then never getting through a task completely. I am using my Swiss cheese approach, just doing each problem bit by bit, a hole at a time. Maybe this is the answer and I should just be content with this. I have been doing what I can do in the time available however with a brain that is overloaded on tasks, I find it hard to concentrate on just one thing lately. Have you had this issue? Or is it just me.

I do have some time 5 hours 3 days a week, those are the days that the girls are at pre-school. Currently they and I have a cough given to us by daddy, who got it from a workmate. Not something bad, but just a little tickle. The girls seem oaky so sent them off to school, but in the back of my mind, I am waiting for the phone call to come get them. Let’s just hope that this does not happen. (I sent them due to the fact that they are playing and are happy at home; don’t seem really ill, if they were they would be home)

I have a messy house still but need to prioritise, the university group assignment is due next Monday so need to put my head down and bum up and get it done. No television just working on assignment this week. So cleaning will have to wait until assignment is done, or just a bit of tidying tonight.

Off to get my cuppa tea and start work on my assignment again. Send in your comments on how you structure your time off when kids are at school? What can you get done in the time allowed? Are you now a speed worker due to the small free time window? I wish I was.

Categories
3 years and beyond University Study

Flexible education not that flexible

If you don’t know, I am studying a Masters in Project Management. I have elected to study online as it is easier to fit in with having kids and my lifestyle at the moment. I did start the degree without kids, but chose online as working and finding time to get to class might be an issue, online delivery seemed to be the best way forward.

Last week I noticed that the draft timetable had been listed, it was noted if you needed a remote location for this exam to contact the coordinator. Upon finding out that there was to be an exam, I contacted said coordinator and was told not to worry that I would be able to have the exam at a remote location. Just to explain, a remote location is not at the campus. The campus is in the city, and I currently live over 2 hours away.

Exam room waiting for everyone to sit their uni exam. Wish us all luck!
Exam room waiting for everyone to sit their uni exam. Wish us all luck!

 

I emailed a request to have a remote location organised due to me being far away and commitments with my twin girls. After over 4 emails this was not taken into consideration and I have to come to campus to take this exam.  As you can imagine I am not happy with this result. The university sighted costs and issues with getting my results back in a timely manner.

One of the emails stated that I could have a remote location for the exam under special circumstances. I then cited the fact that I need to drop kids off at pre-school for 9.15am and pick them up for 2.45pm. I need to be at the university for 9.20 for a 2 hour exam. It takes me 2 hours to drive or at least by train to get to the city. The exam is slated to finish at 11.30, then I would have to drive back, so factor in another 2 hours travel time. I think I would miss school pick up in the afternoon as well. If the exam was local could drop kids at school, do exam and then pick kids up. No issues at all, other than the worry about passing this exam.

The coordinator thought she was being helpful to start the time of the exam at 11.30 to let me drop of the kids at school, but then who picks them up? We are in an area with no family or many friends close by. I have made more friends that have said that can help, but I am not leaving them with one child it will be two. Also I am not sure when I will be back.

I ended up asking my husband to take the day and work part of it from home, he was lucky that he could do it. Normally he is flat out with projects and it might not have been possible.  What would have happened if I had no one to ask? Why is it that the university can sight costs, I am paying nearly $4,000 for just one subject each semester, and I am not using any of the facilities on campus? The least they can do is to help me out a bit. I do understand that there is a cost associated with remote exams, but why can’t I double up with another university that is doing the same thing. Would this not reduce costs?

One of the reasons that the university claim that I need to physically be at the University for the Exam, is that they say that I am located in the Sydney Metropolitan area. If this is the case, I should be able to walk to George Street and go to the movies, maybe a spot of shopping at Centrepoint as I am so close and walking distance. What a laugh!

Living in Katoomba it is very interesting that sometimes you live in the country and then the rest of the time you are considered that you live in the city. Interesting, I fully believe that it is structured to benefit the business owner, not the customer. I am already paying inflated fees, and an extra one that they have decided to add for just this year and the remainder of my course.

I also feel that it discriminates against women with children. How do you manage to retrain, have an interest and earn the same or more money for the next job?  A degree or like qualification will help. Doing flexible online study I would think that they would be open to remote venues for the exam, now it has put a whole lot more stress on the day. Thank god I have a husband that can take the day, what if I had no one? Would they have stepped up then? Child care is too expensive, pre-school is costly. To then have to pay to get to the exam by putting kids in care would have really annoyed me no end!

Why can other universities have exams in Wentworth Falls and Katoomba, and mine Sydney University cannot do the same.  I am still annoyed, frustrated and felt stressed out trying to organise how I will be able to attend the exam.   As a mother and a person that would like to do well with her career, I find this unacceptable and this needs to change. University and other educational institutions need to step up and make exams and courses easier to access for mothers and parents. I think they need to consider the individual and then assess from there.

Have you been annoyed at your educational provider? Have they made things difficult for you due to being a mother and having other commitments? Why is it so hard for this to be taken seriously, I think that they did not put any weight into the fact that I am the only person that takes care of my twins during the week, and I don’t have help.   Has this happened to you? Send in your comments.

Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

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3 years and beyond

I don’t feel like I’m winning

Why is it when you think of doing something, you then think of the other thing that you need to do? Currently I am finding it hard to juggle, I know I can, and I can do it. However mentally you seem to never really get to complete things. I have stated this before, life before kids was easy. If you wanted to do a task, you get up early and just do it. No interruptions or issues. Now I have other priorities.

Namely the first two are my girls, and then how to keep them entertained without spending a fortune. Play dough, parks, playgroup, going for walks, reading, watching films, and visiting friends come to mind. However after all this activity and action out of the house, who feels like cleaning or doing chores.  Not me!  Do you?

Today for example, the girls got up at about 7am, used to be around 8-8.30am, but daylight savings ending and the wakeup call for school has changed things.  I did think that with no school this might change, but not the case.

Activities that kept kids entertained were:

  • Played with them.
  • Watched a movie.
  • Did a puzzle.
  • Played in the backyard while I hung out some laundry.
  • Play dough fun.
  • Took pictures and video on my mobile phone – this was good to a point. Then Julia dropped my phone, I think on purpose as I wanted it back. It is unhurt, and will live to see another day. Very pleased with that.
  • Danced to music.
  • Did some gardening – the girls helped daddy and mummy plant some bulbs, cannot wait to see them in spring.
  • As the girls were dirty from gardening they had a bath.

You now see why I get tired from the entertainment, it is a big list. Do you have a list that is like mine, or are there more things on your list.

What made matters worse for the day was discovering drawing on the wall, cupboard, and fitted sheet of Lillian’s bed (on the wall was a picture of a person with four eyes and weird arms and legs, and the same type of thing on the fitted sheet). The girls managed to have pens in their room and decided they wanted art on the wall. I only discovered this when I went into tidy the room and get clothes ready for their bedtime. The pens have been removed and all offending items quarantined.

My first choice for removing pen from the wall, and cupboard was not working; however Jif Lemon Cream Cleanser was the winner. It worked a treat. The pen is all but gone and if you look closely you might see a mark or two but it is a great result.

Once girls were in bed, Julia and Lillian wanted their favourite book, “Where Is The Green Sheep, by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek.”  Julia loves to read it to you, however you have to make sure Lillian gets a turn, she is just as good as Julia, however is happy to let Julia do the reading.  It is so cute to see them both read it to you, and then say in a big happy voice, “Where is the green sheep?”

So now I have some time, I really don’t feel energized to do any of my things on the to-do list. I am sure it can wait until tomorrow.  The activities for the day have done there magic, as no noise is coming from the girls room and they looked so tired. The same could be said for mummy and daddy; l personally am looking forward to bed.

Do you find that by the time, you get time for you; you cannot be bothered with your plans? Does this annoy you? I for one, am looking forward pre-school starting again, bring on the 23rd of April.  How do you deal with entertaining your kids/child? I am sure I am not the only one that feels like this, I am winning, but there are times and days when I just feel like I have failed. Send in your comments. Remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog

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3 years and beyond Uncategorised

I don't feel like I'm winning

Why is it when you think of doing something, you then think of the other thing that you need to do? Currently I am finding it hard to juggle, I know I can, and I can do it. However mentally you seem to never really get to complete things. I have stated this before, life before kids was easy. If you wanted to do a task, you get up early and just do it. No interruptions or issues. Now I have other priorities.

Namely the first two are my girls, and then how to keep them entertained without spending a fortune. Play dough, parks, playgroup, going for walks, reading, watching films, and visiting friends come to mind. However after all this activity and action out of the house, who feels like cleaning or doing chores.  Not me!  Do you?

Today for example, the girls got up at about 7am, used to be around 8-8.30am, but daylight savings ending and the wakeup call for school has changed things.  I did think that with no school this might change, but not the case.

Activities that kept kids entertained were:

  • Played with them.
  • Watched a movie.
  • Did a puzzle.
  • Played in the backyard while I hung out some laundry.
  • Play dough fun.
  • Took pictures and video on my mobile phone – this was good to a point. Then Julia dropped my phone, I think on purpose as I wanted it back. It is unhurt, and will live to see another day. Very pleased with that.
  • Danced to music.
  • Did some gardening – the girls helped daddy and mummy plant some bulbs, cannot wait to see them in spring.
  • As the girls were dirty from gardening they had a bath.

You now see why I get tired from the entertainment, it is a big list. Do you have a list that is like mine, or are there more things on your list.

What made matters worse for the day was discovering drawing on the wall, cupboard, and fitted sheet of Lillian’s bed (on the wall was a picture of a person with four eyes and weird arms and legs, and the same type of thing on the fitted sheet). The girls managed to have pens in their room and decided they wanted art on the wall. I only discovered this when I went into tidy the room and get clothes ready for their bedtime. The pens have been removed and all offending items quarantined.

My first choice for removing pen from the wall, and cupboard was not working; however Jif Lemon Cream Cleanser was the winner. It worked a treat. The pen is all but gone and if you look closely you might see a mark or two but it is a great result.

Once girls were in bed, Julia and Lillian wanted their favourite book, “Where Is The Green Sheep, by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek.”  Julia loves to read it to you, however you have to make sure Lillian gets a turn, she is just as good as Julia, however is happy to let Julia do the reading.  It is so cute to see them both read it to you, and then say in a big happy voice, “Where is the green sheep?”

So now I have some time, I really don’t feel energized to do any of my things on the to-do list. I am sure it can wait until tomorrow.  The activities for the day have done there magic, as no noise is coming from the girls room and they looked so tired. The same could be said for mummy and daddy; l personally am looking forward to bed.

Do you find that by the time, you get time for you; you cannot be bothered with your plans? Does this annoy you? I for one, am looking forward pre-school starting again, bring on the 23rd of April.  How do you deal with entertaining your kids/child? I am sure I am not the only one that feels like this, I am winning, but there are times and days when I just feel like I have failed. Send in your comments. Remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog

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3 years and beyond Feeling Frumpy University Study

Sun, exercise and study

Today I went for a nice long walk in the sunshine. It was wonderful to be all on my own and to be finally exercising. Yesterday I did about 20 minutes on the Wii Fit and then it was a bit crazy with the fact the kids kept on pulling out toys, hard to have room to do things with the floor filling up with toys and junk.

So now mummy and daddy have had lunch and rested. The girls got a vegemite sandwich each and not much has been eaten.  I am about to do some study and work on my assignment for university, while the girls and daddy are in the backyard.

Daddy however wants to tidy and clean the backyard and the kids are more interested in building houses out of branches and leaves, and making a mess.  Off to get my cuppa tea and get started on the study. Wish me luck, hoping to not get interrupted.

What do you have planned for the day or the weekend?  Have you had time to yourself to do what you like or exercise? I must say that just going for that walk made me feel ten times better about myself.  Note to self, fit it more walking. Send your comments in.

Categories
3 years and beyond University Study

Bed is calling me

Why is it when you have a million things to do you are not feeling your best. This just makes what you have to do, harder and more annoying. Maybe I should have done more university work before now. It is hard fitting it all in being a busy mummy; however I probably could have done more than I have done. I have an assignment due on the 2nd of April and just between you and me, I have done some research but not put much of it together. More reading and time spent on this needs to happen this weekend.

I have told the husband that I need to be left alone to do university work, and that was met with, he needs to sleep in, do the lawns and get his hair cut. Understand that these things need to be done and he has had a big week, so catching up on sleep is great. So hoping that when he is up it is my turn to be left alone to get on with what I want to do. He can look after the girls like I had to when he had a presentation to do for work.   I just fear that I will end up looking after the girls till about 1-2pm and then I will get nothing done.

Currently I feel terrible, tired, and achy, the beginning of a sore throat, and just generally out of sorts. I would really like to go back to bed; however this cannot happen with kids in the house.

Today the goal is to get some of my assignment done and my tutorial questions. Once these are done, or at least well on the way to being complete I will feel much better about university and the situation.

Now the other goal is to be left alone to complete this task. Maybe daddy might take the kids out to get his haircut and leave me alone?  You can only hope.

Have you had things you need to get done, but it is hard when you are not left alone to do them? I know I have some extra days due to pre-school, but I tend to get some housework done, shopping and try to fit in university study. The issue with university is that you can take hour’s just investigating one issue or looking up an article. Then there is a matter of reading it all to understand what it is you are doing. So the day that you had goes and you don’t feel like you have done anything.

Does your partner/husband help you have time to yourself for study/time out/hobbies/anything else? It is really hard to fit it all in. Next week I am using pre-school days for me, not the house. Send in what you do to fit it all in? What tips and tricks can you share with us all?

Update: Finally now on my own, it is 11:40am, and feel annoyed most of the day is gone but pleased to be getting a start on my work. Now getting a hot cuppa tea and to get stuck into it. In the end I have organised the format for the assignment, now need to read all the articles and put it all together. Wanted to do more, however after lunch I felt terrible and decided to rest.