There may be trouble ahead...but let's face the music and dance!

Ok so I've reached Week 6 of this course, and in only two weeks my future will be decided. If I'm to continue studying next year I have to ace all three of my assignments and my study skills portfolio needs to be second to none. A place at university hinges on my first results more than any others and will be the highest level of feedback I can get. At least I have some time (though not much) over half term to get even more work done. My essay plans are coming together though there's still at least a days work just in them, then it's head down for revision for psychology, but it's possible. I don't see it as impossible which is a plus in itself! But still, if I am to carry on down this waterway I'm going to have to paddle like hell! Let's just say that the next couple of weeks are whitewater cross country territory. I've put in the practice and I have my song playing loudly in my head, now I've just got to hope it keeps my head above the water. However, I'm not sure if it's a shift in my mental attitude or in the Christmas spirit that has started to flow steadily through my veins, but I don't feel despondent about what's heading my way, more challenged. I feel like saying to that whitewater passage  "Alright mate, give me your best shot but let me tell you this right off, I'm not going down without a fight!" X

I get knocked down, and I get up again...

Week Five has been a truly mixed bag in all honesty! Early doors, and I won't lie, I was feeling pretty confident. Like I was not just getting through my course but succeeding in it. Then, back in kayaking terms, I experienced a metaphorical shove which not only forced me to capsize but fall out of my kayak entirely and into the lake with lead weighted boots, no longer was I gliding along the surface whilst furiously paddling instead I was drowning with no hope of survival. My song fell silent, and instead was replaced by the sound of my own tears. Had it not been for three wonderful ladies, you know who you are, I would've stayed under. But as my title suggests I'm not going down without a fight! I'm back in my kayak, but this time I have a buoyancy aid, you could say an extra thickened layer of skin, and I sincerely hope that this time I will not only keep my head out of the water, but there will be no further risk of drowning.  I've also turned my song up to full volume! Now I've got one hell of a current against me, bordering on a white water passage but I'm determined to get back to the calmer water as soon as possible X

Finding my Stride...

Okay so last week I was struggling to hear my song above the noise of impending doom ringing in my ears. But using kayaking terms again I feel that the current has settled and I'm now paddling with the tide rather than against it. I'm not saying the waters are easy, more I'm learning to improve my kayaking skills. I've had a weekend away with the lovely Larry and though I did get my head in the books for a time I know I will need to put in more time this week and next weekend to make up for my time away. Though quality time with Larry, and a rest with sea air to boot has strengthened my resolve and made me all the more determined for this course. I know I'm built for comfort not for speed but there's more gears left to use, of that I'm certain, and I'm turning up the volume to my song. There's nothing that I will allow to drown it out again...x

Wobbly Steps...

So I've gone head first into Week 3 of this course.  This course runs at a rate of knots, it speeds along and I'm having to go along at a pace less comfortable than I'm used to. I find that in some lessons I'm coming away with newly gained knowledge of the subject, but in others its speeds through too quickly (with too much info that isn't totally necessary to what we are going to be tested on) that you leave the class questioning what you've learned from it. Which means more study outside of the course itself. Though that study is completely unguided, so I'm just praying that I'm on the right page, so to speak. I class this week as "the wobble week". I'm shocked by the number of people who have already left the course! People, who I felt, had clearly demonstrated during their contributions to classes that they were more prepared for this course than I and yet they've gone. Have I wobbled this week? I'd say yes I have, a little, however I got some validation from a lecturer this week for a section of work, which has boosted me.  I'm not about to let a wobble in confidence stop me in my quest to do well in this course. I may be a little bit wobbly but I'm still moving forward. Those that have left are young enough to re-tread this path at a later date, but this is my last chance, and I'm not turning back! My song is still playing, but it's barely audible, so it's time to crank up the volume, get my head in the books, and my feet pounding that path...x