I'm a bit of a newbie at this coursework lark. OK, maybe not a newbie - I did plenty of courses during my Army career but that was while ago now and I haven't really done a huge amount of study since.
I now find myself settled in a steady routine, having completed Unit 1 of the HRM Diploma and half way through the assignment for Unit 2 - so, still a newbie.
One thing I have noticed, is that some evenings I seem to be able to blast my way through the 'exercise your brain' questions with relative ease. On some evenings though, I just sit and stare at my screen, at the folder, at my books and anything else within staring range - and nothing.. I have run out of EYB steam. I struggle to think of anything that seems to fit the question, and end up putting myself under pressure, and wondering how on earth I'm ever going to be able to get my assignment in..
The answer, for me at least, lies in my running shoes. Not literally of course, but you can probably guess where I'm going with this.
I go for a run.
The great thing about running is that it gives you time to really think things through. There's not much else to do really as your legs and lungs are doing all the work, leaving your brain with nothing more to do than watch out for lampposts and the occasional walker to avoid. I know it's a bit more complicated than that, but whatever it is - it works! Nine times out of ten, going for a run ( just a jog, none of the lung busting stuff!) helps me think through a problem and I'll return home with a solution or an answer clearly in mind.
OK, I know that not everyone is a runner, and I'm not expecting a big surge in running shoe sales from DPG students all wanting to give it a go. I think the important message is to realise that there will be days when research/coursework just will not happen. Don't fret over it - just go and do something else, and tomorrow might be one of those days when it all does come together.
If that something else happens to be running - just make sure your brain does watch out for lamp posts and occasional walkers!
Steve
Comments
Steve, An interesting post summed up well in your comment ' there will be days when research/coursework just will not happen. Don't fret over it - just go and do something else, and tomorrow might be one of those days when it all does come together'
Sometimes varying your time of study helps. Why not try getting up an hour earlier and studying for a short burst of an hour in the morning? As you reset the clocks before you retire to bed on Saturday you now have a plan for what to do with that extra hour!
regards
Debbie.