Study Sessions: How do I use references?

Most students are scared of referencing, maybe because they're inexperienced or because they have not organised their notes accordingly.

So what are references and why do you need to use them?

Students must include in-text citations when they refer to, summarise, paraphrase, or quote from another source and then reference them in an alphabetically ordered list. This ensures that the author has been acknowledged and other people can further their own independent research on the subject. In-text citations give brief details of the author's surname, year of publication, and particular page numbers used. For example (Terry, 2017, p. 1)

For me, I find referencing easy because I make my notes as I go through each module. On the Open University website, there is a study planner that sets out work for each week. 

This is a glossary of terms from my module book.
I have four module books this year so alternated by writing in light green/dark green and pink/purple.
The minty green colour is for the source of a quote.

All the quotes I use this year will be in the same minty green colour so that I keep my notes organised and ready for assignments. I will use the same colour in my typed notes and assignments too and then change the colour before I submit the assignments. Obviously, everyone that uses a colour coding system does it differently or uses different colours but this is the way that I have found works best for me. The pens I use are Staedtler Triplus Fineliners which can be found for around £10-20.

That's it for now,

Kazia

Poetry: Creativity No Longer Exists

Every new day marks a fresh start, 

To be creative and to share your art.

To share your feelings with the ones who care,

To hold them close and to know they are there.

Every day we feel the need for productivity,

prioritising quantity over quality while

destroying the meaning behind creativity.

Why is there a need to constantly feel

inspired? Sometimes life gets busy or 

I'm just too tired.

Tired of the expectations, anticipation

for my next project to be more than 

perfection. No time to think or redraft,

There is no time for self-reflection.

Reflection and hesitation only cause delays.

This cannot be happening. Your audience can’t

be kept waiting for more than a few days. They

sit with their screens held tight in their hands.

Voices filled with unanswered demands.

This is no longer about sharing my creation.

No longer about my online narration.

No longer about my online presence.

No longer about my online existence.

What follows is influenced by their opinions.

They are the people in the higher position.

In the Headlines: In Memory of London Bridge

3rd June 2017

I woke up today to news of another attack in the UK. I hope this doesn't become a theme on my blog - these attacks should never happen and those people should not exist in a world of peace and love. To those people who helped, I thank you. Normal every day people that were close to the scene and also the emergency services, those that were both on duty and off duty.

We need to stand together and we need to make this world a better place for everybody to live together. Yes, people have different views and opinions but we can debate those things in a civilised manner. This is why our country is a democracy so that we can discuss things and share our beliefs. 

On Thursday, the people of the UK will come together to vote. No matter what party you vote for, you should use that right to make a difference. My Dad said "I'm just one person, my vote won't make a difference" but it does. If everyone said that, no one would vote and nothing would change. This country needs to change and these violent acts prove that even more. This country needs to be made safer and for the people of the UK to feel safer. We shouldn't feel like we can't leave our houses just because some people want to cause harm. There is danger and risk in things we do and places we visit every day but we mustn't be scared.

Thoughts and prayers to London and those affected.

Kazia x

In The Headlines: In Memory of Manchester

22nd May 2017

On Monday night, Manchester was attacked by terrorism. Twenty two people died and more than 50 were injured. It has taken me a few days to process the events and be able to write my thoughts about what happened in a coherent and respectful manner.

I cannot imagine what it would have been like to be in Manchester that night or how it must feel to know that your son, daughter, brother, sister, friend has been killed through such an act of hatred.

These acts come from people that say they are part of the Muslim community but I have to disagree. Although I am uneducated on the religion, I understand that the Qur'an does not follow the beliefs of Isis supporters and in fact promotes the spread of love and friendship. 

Through these horrific acts, we must stand together as a country and globally to fight against these terrible people.

Thoughts and prayers to Manchester and those affected.

Kazia x

Study Sessions: Essential Tools

A successful study session requires some effort from you, the student, and a few essential tools. The most important thing is to have a focused session and work in a way that will help you remember information, specifically for exams, or to take out information to form an argument/discussion in your assignment. 

This is my list but it's not limited to these things:

• Pen and paper

• I take notes on paper from my textbook or online resources.This is also how I plan out the structure of my assignments by mind mapping and creating comparison tables. I enjoy using coloured pens to colour code and highlight key words and phrases.

• Sticky notes

• I use sticky notes to annotate my textbook, specifically because they're small so you can only take out short phrases to quote and reference. I also never wrote in my textbooks so this was a good way to mark them. I also use tabs to mark pages that I might want to go back to or that I want to reference in my bibliography later. I tend to write my bibliography as I go because it is the most tedious task and/or I'll forget to do it at the end before I submit the assignment!

• Laptop/Desktop

• I use a MacBook Pro and I am saving for an iMac because I like using the Apple system. You don't need a high priced laptop/desktop if you are only using it for studying - you just need Office software like Word or Pages, you can even use the online Google Docs system if you prefer. Google Docs means that you can access your work from any computer with a WiFi connection which saves you from forgetting your memory stick!

• Pin board

• I have a pin board above my desk and a wall calendar to one side. The pin board has random sticky notes and photos. I also use it to plan out assignments like this one. My wall calendar has all my assignment deadlines and important dates on it. This keeps me accountable because I can work out how long I have to work on each assignment.

• Technology

• Make use of your phone, tablet etc to download apps such as Memrise for learning languages, Pomodoro for timing study sessions, iBooks for reading and annotating on the electronic versions of your textbooks/external resources. The Open University has an online library which most brick-built universities also have, this means you have access to texts about your assignment subject as well as textbooks and set readings that you have already been given. This can also be used for personal research if you find a particular topic really interesting but cannot go into a lot of depth in the time given for the assignment.

• Snacks/Drinks

• When you use your brain for an intense/long study session, you need fuel to keep it from burning it out. I usually cut up apple slices and have a handful of grapes on my desk. Sometimes I will have a biscuit or two with a cup of tea but the sugar will only give you a short burst of energy. Bananas are good for slow releasing energy that will last throughout the day. I also have a bottle of water or a homemade smoothie on my desk, especially during the summer because these keep you hydrated and again give you more energy than a short burst from caffeine. If you don't have a large desk, make sure you have access to the kitchen so that you can get up for snacks and drinks during your breaks, stretching your legs by going to the kitchen will also refresh your brain.

• Study Buddy

• This can be through a Facebook group for your course/module or it can be your kittens! (or dog, rabbit, etc) I use the Facebook group to share ideas and concerns, although the Open University doesn't allow us to be too specific, unless we're on their Forums. Milo and Lola, as you can see below, like to help by playing with my pens and sitting on my notes so I have to give my attention to them rather than my assignment!
  
  
  

• Breaks

• One of the most important parts of my study sessions is to have breaks. I like to study for 30-40 minutes and have a 5 minute break. I use the Pomodoro method so that I can time myself. Timing your sessions will also help you to work under pressure, similar to exam conditions. Luckily, I have chosen modules that don't have exams!

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Poetry: Time

Time stands still.

I breathe in.

I breathe out.

I take a moment.

To be in this moment.

This is the calm.

This is the essence.

This is my essence.

I am brave.

I am strong.

We live in a world where time never sleeps.

We live in a world of constant noise.

Feel the air that you breathe.

Live in this moment.

This is your time.
This is my time.

Review: The Sun Is Also a Star

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book!

*Spoiler free review*

This story is told from the point of view of both Daniel and Natasha who meet by chance when Daniel has an interview for Yale and Natasha has a meeting with her lawyer because she's going to be deported that night. It takes places over one day in New York and revolves around their relationship. Daniel spends most of the day asking Natasha questions that will supposedly make her fall in love with him.

In between the chapters, there are random snippets of history and background on characters which I haven't seen in any other books. This approach allows the reader to see in more depth why certain characters make decisions, for example Natasha is scientific and logical about love because her Father tried to follow his dreams which didn't come to fruition. Daniel believes in fate and destiny even though his Father wants him and his older brother to attend the best colleges and become doctors. He lived in poverty and didn't have the opportunity to afford the best life for his sons.

Kazia x

Most recent YouTube video: https://youtu.be/OatfcP5owzE

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