Our Skype call on 27th November came at a perfect time for me.
I joined the call feeling a need to reconnect. I didn’t feel like I was disconnected from the course - quite the opposite as I have been working on my essay and diagram mapping. However, I felt that after working so intensely in meeting the deadline for the draft, that I had paused. Eagerly awaiting the feedback, and hoping for clarity that my essay had taken the right direction. I felt I needed the Feedback so much that I was in limbo until I had received it.
Helen pointed out that we shouldn’t stop when we are awaiting feedback but to continue to work and develop our essay. After all, the answers are not going to be given to us within the feedback! But I was looking forward to a positive nudge in the right direction. I think sometimes a lack of confidence can make feedback even more important, the feeling of knowing you are doing ‘ok’.
I am learning quite a lot of things about myself during this process. While waiting for my feedback I thought the worst. I was worried my essay would be taken to pieces and I would need to start again. I was actually expecting that. However since the call I have received feedback and it was much better than I was expecting. There is still work to be done , but I feel I am along the right track. The confidence of knowing this enables me to push ahead now ready for final submission in 11 days !!
Another reason I wanted to join the Skype call was to get some tips about how I could prepare for the upcoming module 2 in January. It is tempting to submit module one essay and then have a break but if I do that I will only be playing catch up in a panic in January.
Preparation is key ! Especially when you are fitting a degree around family life and a full time job!
I was given some great advice from students on the course. Many were module 3 students, so they were able to give me their first hand experiences. Invaluable !
One student suggested that the reading of module one handbook should be ongoing also throughout module two. That the understanding you have will simply grow by referring back to it.
Another student, Jessica , suggested a book to read to help with preparing for module 2, which I will definitely be looking into :
Maykut, P. & Morehouse, R.(1994), Beginning Qualitative Research: A Philosophical and Practical Guide , UK, RoutledgeFalmer
Once I have made my improvements to my essay and submitted it , I will really try to focus on module 2 straight away.
I plan on reading the module 2 handbook as an initial starting point.
