Typecast

I was browsing through the BBC website during my lunch break and saw the " Could you pass the 11-plus? " challenge so I thought I would have a go.  15 questions with a 10-minute timer.  Easy, right?  I almost applied for " Are You Smarter Than A 10-Year Old? " because I was a damn sight smarter than my own 10-year old at the time * out-of-context-smugness * So click on the link above ( opens in a new window ), take the test and then come back here to tell me how well you did or didn't do. I had a " I am SO going to run out of time here " for Questions 7 and 8 and a complete * head-desk * moment for Question 10 (which I got wrong) but here are my results. swot... oh yes I am The answers and explanations are available on this page when you have finished.   NO PEEKING !

... as Mary Poppins once said. Today marks the day that I am exactly half way through my degree with the Open University.  I began well and steadily got better at lone study.  Today, I have sat my first official exam in 22 years ( apart from the Health & Safety course I did earlier this year ) and have spent the last few weeks worrying about it all .

I am dreading this week.  Friday is exam day.  The first exam I have taken in 22 years.  I am crap at revising and retaining information so it is also an exam that I am convinced I am going to fail. Before I continue, I have to say that, in two years of lone study with the OU, this is my first negative experience.  Up until now I have championed the system and I have enjoyed studying for my degree.  This is my fourth module.  It is also the last presentation of this particular module.  The course has been updated and rewritten.  That doesn't excuse the lackadaisical attitude of my tutor.

Lone study is hard.  Really bloody hard.  I have been slogging away at this Open University degree now for two years, as well as working full time and dealing with all the pressures that come with everyday family life.  For the first time in recent years I have just had to admit that I can't do something and it makes me want to cry.  I have emailed my tutor to ask if I can substitute an assignment.  It's the final assignment of this course and I have a four hour exam looming ( I may be asking you to join hands and send collective positive thoughts on the 15th October ).  I have used the online calculator to see if I can substitute this assignment and still pass the course and * drum roll * yes I can.  I need a minimum of 40% in the exam.  As soon as I clicked " send " on that email I heaved a sigh of relief.