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What to do? OU dilemma...

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  • What to do? OU dilemma...

    I have to choose my next module for my OU degree, and I'm stumped... I'm doing an 'Open' degree, which isn't tied to one subject, so I can range over the entire portfolio of modules, but so far have done:

    The Arts Past and Present (Level 1) - covered literature, art history, history, music.
    Approaching Literature (Level 2) - Prose, plays, poetry, including the Romantics, Feminism, Shakey etc
    Children's Literature (Level 3) - Studying children's literature and including social science stuff as well as lit-crit.

    The plan was to do a Level 2 in Creative Writing, and then switch to Environmental Studies at Level 1 and Level 3, but I'm having second thoughts. Mostly because I find that I have no imagination . A friend has been posting 'prompts' for those of us going on to the Creative Writing course so that we can start thinking of things to write about, and I'm beginning to panic a bit that I can't think of anything to write! So, looking at other options I can either do:

    The 19th Century Novel (Level 3). Would usually be right up my street, but a) I was hoping to give my brain a bit of a rest before launching into another level 3 - last year was tough on my health in terms of stress, and b) it has an exam, which I totally fell apart in on the Level 2 course and it dragged my grade down a whole band

    Worlds of English (Level 2). This is an English Language course which has no exam. However, the description of it strikes me as very dull and dry, and it doesn't really appeal.

    Reading and Studying Literature (Level 2). This is more or less a repeat of the level 2 I've already done, but updated. It also has an exam, but it would be an easier one than the Level 3 exam. The reading list doesn't fill me with joy though. In fact, it looks dull as ditchwater.

    Twentieth Century Literature (Level 3). This has no exam, but again, the reading list is uninspiring, and the reports from current students aren't good. Hardly any of them seem to have enjoyed it, even the ones getting good grades aren't inspired by the course.


    Or, I could ditch the Lit altogether and move over to the Environment stuff now, but there are only 2 courses I can do in that area without doing more science background and so that would still leave me needing another 60 point module.

    What to do, what to do?!
    Last edited by SarzWix; 27-06-2012, 12:06 PM.

  • #2
    Its a long long time since I did OU but do you have to do 2 Foundation courses? If so, I'd do the 2nd one now and switch subjects - since the Literature ones don't seem to have much appeal to you.

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    • #3
      No, I don't have to do 2 at Level 1. I just have to have 120 points at Level 2 or above, and 120 points at 3.

      I would jump at doing the 19th Century Novel module if it wasn't for the exam, the reading list is ace, and the lit-crit stuff is brilliant. I'm just terrified of the exam

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      • #4
        Originally posted by SarzWix View Post

        I would jump at doing the 19th Century Novel module if it wasn't for the exam, the reading list is ace, and the lit-crit stuff is brilliant. I'm just terrified of the exam
        Look at what you've written! That's the course you want to do, it interests you, it excites you. So don't worry about the exam - when the time comes you'll have the knowledge you need 'cos you've so enjoyed the learning!
        Last edited by mothhawk; 27-06-2012, 07:10 PM.
        Location - Leicestershire - Chisit-land
        Endless wonder.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by SarzWix View Post
          No, I don't have to do 2 at Level 1. I just have to have 120 points at Level 2 or above, and 120 points at 3.

          I would jump at doing the 19th Century Novel module if it wasn't for the exam, the reading list is ace, and the lit-crit stuff is brilliant. I'm just terrified of the exam
          You can do anything you set your mind to.
          You are an intelligent person, if you fail, (you wont), just do it again.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by mothhawk View Post
            Look at what you've written! That's the course you want to do, it interests you, it excites you. So don't worry about the exam - when the time comes you'll have the knowledge you need 'cos you've so enjoyed the learning!
            Couldn't have put it better myself chuck. You'll enjoy it so much, the exam will be a breeze.
            Granny on the Game in Sheffield

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            • #7
              It's an exam - not the end of the world. You can do it, you know you can. Just because you fell apart at one exam, doesn't mean you will again. At school, I was totally sh!te at exams, despite being in the top set for most subjects. But I wasn't bothered, so didn't revise = my loss. Since then, if I've been interested-enough in a subject to get to exam stage, I've found that it just happens, I revise = I pass. And, as Nutter says, if you were to fail, just take it again! No problem, you can do it!
              All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
              Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Glutton4... View Post
                And, as Nutter says, if you were to fail, just take it again! No problem, you can do it!
                Id be offended if i could be bothered

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                • #9
                  I think part of the problem with the last one was that I have no idea how to revise. And so I was in headless chicken mode for a good few weeks before hand Problem this time is, I still don't know how to revise

                  I guess a lot will depend on the grade I get for the module I just finished. If it's a good grade, I'll be able to risk a drop in grade from an exam. If it isn't, then I'll have to go for a module with no exam to try and pull the overall classification back up. I don't find out my grade until the beginning of August though

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                  • #10
                    Revising for Exams

                    Here are nine tips on revising for exams:

                    a. Make use of your learning style when you revise
                    b. Plan in good time
                    c. Active revision
                    d. Old exam papers
                    e. Pace yourself
                    f. You’re not alone
                    g. Reward yourself
                    h. Trust
                    i. Look after yourself

                    Revising for and taking Exams

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                    • #11
                      I just finished the level 2 creative writing... it's about trying out different things poems/fiction etc. and there are plenty of examples in the book and it covers techniques for coming up with what to write e.g. free writing/journals etc. Maybe get the book associated with it (library might have it) and see what you think... Creative Writing: A Workbook with Readings by Linda Anderson

                      What did you think of the children's literature one? I'm considering that next

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by SarzWix View Post
                        I think part of the problem with the last one was that I have no idea how to revise. And so I was in headless chicken mode for a good few weeks before hand Problem this time is, I still don't know how to revise

                        I guess a lot will depend on the grade I get for the module I just finished. If it's a good grade, I'll be able to risk a drop in grade from an exam. If it isn't, then I'll have to go for a module with no exam to try and pull the overall classification back up. I don't find out my grade until the beginning of August though
                        I can help with revision techniques. It really is all about recall then revising what you didn't recall.

                        And practice in writing themed essays.

                        We didn't have a choice of modules without an exam, they all had one or two.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by tamsin View Post
                          I just finished the level 2 creative writing... it's about trying out different things poems/fiction etc. and there are plenty of examples in the book and it covers techniques for coming up with what to write e.g. free writing/journals etc. Maybe get the book associated with it (library might have it) and see what you think... Creative Writing: A Workbook with Readings by Linda Anderson

                          What did you think of the children's literature one? I'm considering that next
                          Children's Lit was ace in terms of content. The TMAs were deceptively tough though. There's a LOT of critics to read and engage with too, so you need to be open-minded; those whose attitude was 'the critics talk rubbish and have too much time on their hands' were the ones getting lower grades...

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                          • #14
                            I really think you should go for something you'll enjoy - so in this case C19th Novel. You know that it's not lack of ability or knowledge that lets you down in exams, it's nerves and organisation. Both of those can be resolved (easy for me to say I know but they can). Have faith in yourself x
                            I was feeling part of the scenery
                            I walked right out of the machinery
                            My heart going boom boom boom
                            "Hey" he said "Grab your things
                            I've come to take you home."

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                            • #15
                              Echo and second all of the above. If you want help with revising I can do that closer to the time. Go for what interests you ... you will remember lots of it for that very reason.

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