Holiday time - time for a break and to enrol!

Time to enrol

You may be enrolling in units for the first time as a new student or you may be a continuing student. It is most likely that your University has opened their enrolments for you to select the units you would like to study over the coming session/trimester/semester.

Most University courses will have a set outline of core units that you need to complete each year. Alongside these core units, you may be required to choose ‘electives’ from a selection of additional non-core units. These non-core units may build into specialising in a stream within your study area.

 If you are short on time due to work commitments and/or have children, you may wish to look at the unit information to check for

1) any residential schools if a distance student and

2) the required work load of assignments, online work and exams. 

 The most important factor when choosing an elective unit is to choose an area that you will enjoy. Choosing an area that you have a general interest in will motivate you throughout the semester and you will most likely produce better work.

How many units should I enrol in?

This is dependent on a number of things and you will need to consider the following;

1) work commitments,

2) the number of children you look after

 3) the amount of support you have from friends and family and

4) other commitments.

 

As Confucius said;

 

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.”

Remember if you do decide at a later date that your course load is too much, there is time to drop a unit before a penalty applies.

Check your University for further details and enjoy your break!

Back from a hiatus

Well it's been way too long between blog posts and I think it's time to get eDegree back into the swing of things!

Although it's now half way through 2013, it's never too late to start or restart something you enjoy, whether it be a new hobby, career or study path (or in this case, a blog!). 

During my hiatus, I've been a bride, graduate, teacher, research student  and most recently, a  new mum! So, I have many new perspectives and ideas to share and hopefully for those who use to follow this blog or are new readers, you will share some of your stories, achievements and tips too.

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!