Planning Approach for Module 3

Hello Everyone,

So I have just thoroughly read through the module 3 reader and handbook again and my brain feels like it’s going to explode with all the information I have just received. I was going to make a journal entry but I thought it might be nice to put up my thoughts at this point on my blog to see if anyone else is feeling the way I am.

So as mentioned above my brain feels like it is about to explode! There is so much information in those books! All useful, but a lot to take in, in one afternoon and I am 100% sure that I will be referring back to them a lot this module to make sure that I haven't missed anything. I believe the most important and helpful point I got from the reader and handbook, is how essential it is to be on top of time management within this module. I really appreciate how it has two visual images of how to set out your work this term. The first being the timeline of task 7A and the second being let’s call it the Module 3 Stages Arrow, I preferred the Module 3 Stages Arrow as it listed particular elements that had to be included in your final portfolio. But, I also believe that without the three aspects- the 7A task timeline, the Module 3 stage arrow and the module reader and handbook you won't be able to organise yourself.

So where does that leave me...I had just finished reading the handbook and reader and I felt extremely overwhelmed. So I went to my learning space and looked through some of the past module 3 blogs. I found an idea on James O'Brian's blog -http://jamesbapp.blogspot.co.uk/ 

James mentioned that he organised himself by setting himself weekly goals to help keep on track of this module. I am going to take his advice and do this for myself. I will start making weekly goals (lists) of what I want to achieve each week. I will also set up reminders on my phone for myself to make sure that I keep on top of it. Maybe a very annoying alarm that I set goes off every half hour to make sure I keep up with it!

Throughout thinking about how to keep myself up to date and not fall behind this module I started to stress about how many obstacles I still had to face this term and how on earth I was going to get through them all. Obviously there will be a lot of support from friends, family, university, tutors and SIG groups, but I think the most important thing is that I keep confidence in myself. I then found this quote-

'If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.'- Michael Jordan
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/achieve.html

It reminded me of what I tell the children I teach when they find something too difficult or too much to do. I always say- 'Never say you can't do something just because it’s too tricky, believe in yourself and you will be able to work through your obstacles and achieve the best you can.'

Above is a photo that I took over these summer holidays. I wanted to find a photo of how I was feeling/lie ahead this module. I was inspired to do so from my past journal entries and from the rainbow picture from the mylearning site. At the point this photo was taken I thought 'How marvellous'. Now, I see this photo as a reflection of the journey ahead. The rocks representing the tasks/sections that must be done to reach the serene water which represents finishing module 3. But I think what is greater insight in this photo is that you must be dedicated and work hard to achieve what you want. 

After writing this blog post I am feeling a lot calmer and more positive about having the time to complete this module and how I will approach this module.

Thank you for reading!

Cassie V.