Back Up Buddy!

Back up, back up, back up! This is some great advice I regularly give others and this time failed to remind myself.
It was only eight little research articles - surely I could get that safely from Mum's computer back to my place, an hour away, without too much hassle on my USB. No, I don't need to save it on mum's computer or email these articles to myself - I have just double checked  and they are definitely on my uni USB.

Fast forward two hours later, I'm at home with my 'trusty' USB and the articles are NOT there. I have other items on it (all backed up elsewhere anyway!)but not these precious articles that I found after five hours trawling through databases.

It seems backing up information as soon as you have it is a necessity. Emailing it to yourself whilst on someone else's computer (bearing in mind internet access would be required!), saving it to your hard drive or the computer you have been using and USB (or a portable hard drive) is the only way you can be sure that all your hard work is not lost.

A few tears later and a happy ending - thanks mum for being able to find the author of the much needed articles as I was able to trace back to where they were originally found and download them again.

Semester Started! Time to get motivated

The new Uni semester has started and it is time to get motivated...if you aren't already!

By now you should have enrolled in all the units that you will undertake this semester whether it is a full time or part time load. Remember, there are academic penalties if you do not withdraw from a unit before a certain date if you decide not to continue with a particular subject - always check this with your University.

You may have already been to your first lecture this week where you get to know your new lecturer, find new friends and lecture rooms if this is your first year of study.

However, if you are studying externally - without face to face contact then no doubt you will already have been online and had a look at your course outline and materials and may have even downloaded some.

Either way, you should now know what is expected of you in this course in terms of assessment and attendance and what you should know by the end of the unit you are enrolled in. First week is mostly a bit of orientation, getting organised and setting yourself up for success- remember you can do this!

So, what questions have come about in your first week of Uni?

What will you be studying this year?

The University year will soon start and you will have or be thinking about the units you will choose to study.
I recommend choosing elective units that you think you would enjoy or that you think you will do well in. Look at the unit outline to determine whether this work will benefit you and your study aims.
There are also compulsory units that you will have to undertake as part of your study. There may be some that you do not wish to do but a requirement of the course. Think of the positive - what you can get out of it? You will also need to make sure that you satisfy any prerequisites for units you do choose.

Make sure you enrol in the unit by the University's given deadline. You will also need to ensure you have all the required texts for each unit - check out what second hand shops have available to save $$$s!

Once you have enrolled in your units, there will be a date they will become available online - usually the first week lectures begin. Ensure that you keep an eye on when they do become available so you can join any online groups first and stay on top of the forum discussions.

Take the first week to work out a study timetable, get to know your way around online and what is required of you to complete each unit.

Most of all, enjoy your semester and get what you can out of your study!

eDegree the ebook has arrived!

MEDIA RELEASE

Jilly Stansfield has released her final ebook for the year 2010 - eDegree: study anywhere, anytime.

You can view a sample for FREE by visiting http://www.smashwords.com/  or  click on eDegree's book cover below!

About the book:

Are you wanting to further your education but not sure if it is possible? Many people think that they wouldn’t be able to study externally through the mode of eLearning- ‘it’s too hard’, ‘I wouldn’t stay on track’, ‘I don’t know where to start’. The truth is these days anyone can elearn – anywhere, anytime.

You can become an eLearning student whether you are

- Working full time

- Working part time

- A single parent

- Starting a new business

- Travelling

- Mature age

- A school leaver

- Upgrading your qualification

- changing your career direction

- have no formal education

This book will guide you through choosing a study option, your study and to graduation success. It's your personal study buddy!

Don’t put if off. Now is the time to secure your future and do something for you – live your life and get your education anytime, anywhere.

What does 4 years worth of Uni assignments look like?

I have just complete my teaching degree through UNE (www.une.edu.au) and I have kept all my assignments.


So, for those who are interested, here is a pic of all those assignments minus the couple that I received back online and of course the exams.

Don't let this put you off studying though!

Think of it as evidence of your achievement!

Waiting...waiting...waiting...for uni results

There's nothing like waiting for your last semester uni results. This isn't the time to stress - there's nothing you can do to change the result (you don't even know them!) or change the date you will get the result.

So what's worse is waiting on the day of receiving your uni results. Some students may receive them by mail, others by email and even less via sms on their phone. I for one, am waiting on an SMS from my University for my results.

This was my final semester of my undergraduate degree(does happy dance!). Next year though, I will embark on my Masters - anyone else as crazy as I am? ;-)

Leave me a comment below if you are commencing or recommencing post graduate studies next year! (maybe we can work it out together!)

Day of the Exam

What do you do on the day of your exam?
Last Friday, I had my final exam for completion of my teaching degree. So, what did my day look like prior to the exam? Relaxation.

In between rereading my exam notes, I;
-went out for a coffee
-did some shopping
-did activities with my son
-surfed the webs

This meant I went into my exam with reduced stress levels and because I didn't study by cramming the night before, my brain didn't feel overloaded.

Exam Outcome: I'll keep you posted :)