Exercise 3:
The next task to look at before beginning the unit is how am I going to manage my time?
To begin with, I read how long the OCA expects the unit to take to be completed, which is 600 learning hours. I checked on when I enrolled and what time I have left to finish the entire degree in order to plan effectively.
I enrolled on the degree course on 19/02/2016, and have a maximum of 12 years from this date to complete the degree in its entirety.
I have until the 14/04/2024 to complete this last unit (visual skills 2) of Level 2 studies and will have 3 years from the day I enrolled to my first Level 3 unit to complete Level 3.
To plan effectively,I answered the following questions:
How much time will I allocate to study each week?
I aim to work a minimum of five hours, five days a week, which will allow me to complete the unit in a year. I need to remember twenty percent of this time is for me to reflect on my learning log, too. However, when I can, I plan to work more hours.
What is my most/ least productive time of day?
Least productive times and things that impede my studies.
- From 7am until 10am I am getting the kids ready for school, doing the school runs and walking the dogs.
- Weekends I can work, but it depends on balancing time with my children.
- I go to the gym for a minimum of an hour five times a week.
- House chores (1 hour) 10 -11am
- Demanding puppy
- Taking children to kid’s clubs.
- Making time for family and friends (5.30pm-8pm cooking and kid’s bedtime routine)
Most productive time of day
11am – 2.50pm & 4pm-5pm (roughly 5 hours)
Plus, minimum of 6 hours split over the weekend.
How well do I manage time?
To be honest, not very well. I try to plan, but it’s only now I realise I have not been looking at my most productive times to work.
What is a realistic schedule to undertake Part One, and when is the first dead line?
As written above, I have realised the times I can study and have set with my tutor the first assignment to be submitted on the 3rd of April.
Visual Skills 2 