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Senate Reference Group meeting in Milton Keynes - Part 2

Phew !!!!!

It was very busy few days! Although I can not express how glad I am that I was part of the S R G meeting! Guys seriously it was amazing!!

Of course I wouldn't be able to help myself and not to take a picture on the train..... :D

And another one in my hotel room 

 As you can see I could finally ( first time in my life) take a mirror selfie!!!! My life is now complete.  I can not do it at home, because first of all I don't have a mirror which would be big enough and second of all I would probably not be thinking about cleaning it properly so I would have picture full of smudges and of course I would have a huge pile of my clothes behind me. So I thought to myself : I want to feel like a star, once in my life and I will take this picture.... :D  

At the actual day I had a quick tour around the campus and I couldn't believe how big our campus in Milton Keynes is. It is huuuggggeeeee!!!

I've took few pictures of some places :

That's Jennie Lee building

 On our way to the library.

 Berrill

Useful map :D

 Trees there were huge!

 O U Library.... I did not wanted to leave.... Can't help it, I just love books!

 Entrance to the library with Sue.















Excuse all of those selfies I am a very self-centre person :D


















Walton Hall with Sue posing :)
You can find some information about it here











 Our campus also have art work placed all over the place there are my few favourites:

Bounding Bull ( Dominic Benhura)

Viper Sniper (D. Benhura)

We walk our own path (Richard Harris)

A Kind of Infinity (Ray Castell)

Contemplation (Tom Harvey)

And the one that is close to my heart: Learning Together (Ray Castell) 

 This sculpture was commissioned by O U to celebrate 40 years of providing open and equal education opportunities to thousands of people. It has two androgynous people with their heads inclined towards each other. They could be anybody, any colour, any ability....

 If you would like to find out more about the O U art, please go here

 I've meet a lot of really kind and welcoming people there. This trip was worth to wait for, now I can't wait for the conference. ( Have you seen the conference programme? No? Try here)

 After my tour me and Sue had a pleasure to be at The O U presentation called : Learning now, for the future.

 Where we were informed about the progress of the O U.  With what students are happy with, what kind of complaints they are. There was a quick chat about competition that students were taking part in. If I recall correctly it was about :  Imagining how the future (O U) will be like. You can find the results, poems, logos etcetera on the forum.
 
We could see the main challenges acknowledged by O U.  Main principles and the most important a plan of action.

Then, me and Sue went for the S R G meeting, unfortunately I can not tell you what was happening there, as it is confidential and I might be destroyed if I say something hahah

 But what I can tell you is that O U and Senate are making sure that every issue is acknowledge and they are doing an amazing job at trying to help and improve our experiences.  And guys believe me it is not an easy job. Just for the meeting every member of the Senate has received 25 different documents and some of them were 20 pages long!  They all had to read it, make sure that we as students will benefit from it and raise any issues if they did not agree with some parts. How amazing is that? That we have someone to take care of us, and they offer their free time, on the top of their courses!

If you want to find out more about O U S A go here  


That's it for today because I am dropping I had a very busy day today and tomorrow is my only day of. On Saturday I am going to be attending a Consultation meeting in Cardiff . Where 20 students from Wales will be able to discuss matters concerning OU students in Wales.


At the end I just wanted to say, that if any of you  have something that you would like to discus with me you can contact me either trough the 'Contact me' form on the blog ( Top right corner) or you can drop me an email at :  bg3344@my.open.ac.uk

Senate Reference Group meeting in Milton Keynes

 What a journey!

I am sitting in a hotel room absolutely exhausted but so happy!

 I was invited by Sue ( SAR the Students Association Representative for Wales (ousa-sar-wales@open.ac.uk) ) to join Senate Reference Group meeting in Milton Keynes. When Sue messaged me few days ago asking if I would be able to attend, I wasn't really sure if SRG meeting is a place for me.
 Yes, I want to be involved with OU as much as possible, but this felt a little bit like jumping to the deep end of the pool without the ability to swim.... Which in my example is absolutely accurate as I CAN'T swim... :D

 I was supposed to meet Sue on the train, half way through... When I was reserving my tickets I was not aware that all of them will be reserved in a 'quiet wagon'.... Just for the future references.... Please do not book your tickets with such a seat!!!  Me and Sue said hello to each other, as you would do when you are meeting a new person and an old gentlemen told us of!!! I mean, really... I've felt like a teenager. We weren't loud, we just simply said hello. :D If that wouldn't be enough, after starting to whisper to each other about important OU staff a lady in from of us started to basically bully us, trying to keep us silence!  Of course a loud noise made by her lunch box was acceptable :D I do not know how did we manage not to say : We thought is a 'quiet wagon' :D  I was told by her that even if my seat is reserved I should go somewhere else. :D How mean can you get ? Luckily for us we had only 5 minutes left and we were free. I don't think I have to add that after that experience we were giggling about it till the end of our journey, because EVERY seat I've reserved in each of the trains was in a 'quiet wagon'!!! If I know my luck, tomorrow all my seats will be in the exact wagon!

  I've meet today a few members of Central Executive Community ( CEC) and I have to say they were lovely! Made me feel welcome and comfortable. I am really happy that I've decided to come. And Sue took me straight under her wings and took me through the whole experience step by step. Plus she is so nice and easy to talk to I wasn't able to keep quiet around her ( That's probably why we was told of  hahah ) .

 I will write an update of the actual meeting which is happening tomorrow morning, I was made aware that I can't repeat certain details, but I will share with you what I can. But for now I will have to go hit my pillow, because I am one, very tired girl....

TMA_05 - Report writing

 I know that we just only had our due date for the TMA-04 but I thought that I will try to came up with few reminders on how to write a report. Maybe it will be also useful for you guys, I know that if  I write it down it will make it easier for me to remember :)

 But first things first... I had an amazing news today! As you all know there was Assembly Bye-Elections in Wales... And I have an unbelievable pleasure to announce that I have been elected to the Assembly!!!! You al can just imagine how excited I am, so many good things is happening to me right now! I feel truly blessed :)

 Let's talk about the report now.  So what is the difference between an essay and a report? 

 As you all know in an essay we have to present convincing argument, not only that but also all of that must be done in a logical sequence. So we have our introduction, main body and conclusion. All of that has to be linked together. So each paragraph must be finishing in the way , that you can carry on in the next. I am sure that you all know this by now, but I like to write everything from A to B ;)  There are four types of report :  information or description reports, reports of investigations or studies, maths reports and science reports.

 Now report is ( in my opinion) a little bit easier.  Report has a completely different purpose and structure.

If you would look at it and try to simplify, I would say : Report is written for busy people, to help them find specific information quickly and without a hassle.  Report is providing informations instead of presenting argument like it was done in the essay.

Report:

• Is using headings and subheadings
• Sections are numbered or lettered (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 or A: a, b, c,)
• You can use short statements and bullet points ( do you see what I have done here :D ? ) 
• You can use graphs and tables

 Structure of the report

( Now please keep in mind that this is only a guideline and OU might want different things, so before using anything from here, please talk to your tutor, check your assignment booklet and LC for advice :) ) 

Title page

Describes the purpose of the report. It should have your Name, Date, For who the report is written. 

Terms of references

Explaining who will read the report, purpose and how the report was written ( method) 

Abstract

Short paragraph describing content of the report, its aims, what was found and ( if any) what is called for.  Make sure that you are avoiding writing a conclusion and you are just outlining the main points.

Introduction

 Detailed description of aims and objectives. If there are problems that report is looking at , they should be identified. You are adding here any historical background.

Methods ( make sure that you will use separate headings here!)

 You are going to explain here followed procedures, you are going to use relevant information and materials ( sources). And you will refer here to any problems 

Results ( Again, separate headings)

 You can use here diagrams and graphs to present data. Remember to use logical order , but avoid commenting!

Discussion

That's your main body. Here you will discuss your material. You will analyse and discussed  your facts & evidence with specific references to the problem. You might want to consider dividing your discussion into sections ( if it's lengthy). Points should be grouped and arranged in logical and easy to follow order. Headings and subheadings should be considered. Same with bullet points. Everything used in your report should be acknowledged and referenced. 

Conclusion

Remind most important points, highlight, most central issues and findings of the report. Like with an essay avoid adding new points! 

Appendices

    You are going to include all of the supporting information here. 

Bibliography

 Like with an essay, alphabetical order. 

Before you start your report, you must decide what kind of report you have to write. Remember to use ACADEMIC LANGUAGE !  You can find some help with that in LC3, Appendix 2 p. 51.

Also you might want go to to OU website : http://www2.open.ac.uk/students/skillsforstudy/reports.php

Another useful one is : http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/writingguides/1.02%20Reports.htm

and : http://www.port.ac.uk/media/contacts-and-departments/student-support-services/ask/downloads/Reports-and-essays---key-differences.pdf

OU Student Newsletter

You can find it here : http://www.open.ac.uk/ousa/sites/www.open.ac.uk.ousa/files/files/OUstudents_Summer_2014.pdf

On pg 5 is a little bit about my blog ( which I am extremely excited about! )

 Did you knew that there are still places for the OU conference??? So if you feel like you would like to join us please go and register yourself!!

Don’t say we didn’t tell you...

There are still a few places left at the greatly awaited OU Students Association Conference taking place on the Campus in Milton Keynes and online from 27 – 29 June.
The Conference starts at 2pm on Friday until after lunch on Sunday. All accommodation and catering costs are included (except your bar bill) together with reasonable travel expenses. (...)
Around 400 students are expected on campus over the weekend with a similar number taking part online and there is still a chance you could be one of them.

Please don’t miss out. Express your interest by registering now.

http://www.open.ac.uk/ousa/conference/2014
All places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

For any enquiries about Conference, please contact ousa@open.ac.uk

See you there!
Your OU Students Association

What are you waiting for guys? :) 

So much to do, so little time!

 I have been very busy for the past few weeks, I am trying to juggle studying with the rest of my responsibilities, but it is not easy. Specially now, when my depression had came back. And it cam with a bang! I wasn't expecting it, but I presume you never are.... How can you be prepare for it? When you life is good you don't expect to feel like that!

 I am suffering with it for so many years now, I know all the 'tricks', I know what I should do, still it is hard. I am really trying.
There is so many positive things happening in my life. I would like to mention that my place at the  OU Students Association Conference 2014 is secured now, my tickets are booked and you will be able to meet me there!!! ( If you are going of course). That's something worth getting excited about right?  I would love to know how many of you is going!! It is happening only every two years and I just can't wait!!  So if you are going , please give me a shout :) 

  TMA 3 has knock me down a little bit. I can't help but feeling lost when I work with numbers! I hope you all had a better experience with it than me.   TMA 4... Makes me feel like : 
- Now, you are talking!!!! 

I just love comparing theories. I don't know why... Before you say anything... Yes, I am one of those sad girls who love to study :D 

I have to say that the nice thing about studying with The OU is that they help you so much! I mean, if you are going to look at the Assignment Booklet, they are practically giving you the whole structure of your essay.  And majority of the answers. 

MY volunteer work with OU is very rewording, I've managed to help to sign for a degree 14 people since I've started. I can believe that I have the opportunity to possibly help someone to fulfil their dreams, do something they never thought they can do.  It makes me feel all warm and fluffy inside. 

 I come across as heartless and cold person. I say what I think without even one thought about : 
- How someone will react/feel after listening to me. 
But the real truth is : I am big softy. I cry on Bambi, I spend majority of my time thinking how can I help people, I would give my last pound to someone in need. I am spending 80% of my time listening to people, solving their problems and it makes me feel good. 
Like I've mentioned before the place I live in, doesn't have many opportunities, not only for young people but for anyone. 
I had very emotional moment last week, when one person has received confirmation that her place on the course was secured. She gave me such a huge hug, it was hard to breath :) 

I am not sure if I would feel that good in a brick uni.... It is also my small therapy...  I would like to encourage everyone to get involve with this project. Who knows? Maybe it will make you feel the same as it makes me? :)

Me and my community aka FAST UK programme....

 Studying Psychology is one thing, putting in into our lives and being able to use within your community to help people- is another.... 

 I have spent last two days training with a charity called Save the Children which is delivering with Middlesex University London programme called FAST ( Families & Schools TOGETHER) for primary. 

 The first five minutes of my training made me think : 
- Wow! This really make sense! 

 I will not throw all of the details at you right now, but there was a lot of talk about Pruning Neurons , Immune system, cortisol, DHEA, Serotonin, Dopamine, researches done by Salvador Minuchin, Paulo Freire, Urie Bronfenbrenner. There was also attachment theory involved and all of that was researched, adapted and  put together, to help families. Isn't that amazing?  
It is making me feel good about myself.   Not only I get to help peopel, which was the whole reason behind studying Psychology! But, I can also adapt this programme within my family, to improve our life!!! 

It was two very long days, but I can say with a hand on my heart : It was worth it. 

This training was only the first step, now our FAST TEAM will have very busy two weeks, preparing letters, flyers, sending text to parents, trying to recruit 40 families. 

After that we will have 8 weeks, ending with ( hopefully) huge success!!! 

FAST was developed in 1988 by Dr. Lynn McDonald, Family Service, Madison, Wisconsin and enhanced with Ms. Estella Payton in 1989. 

                                                             

                                                             What is FAST all about??? 

There are three types of partners: 

School Partner - obviously person who works in school 

Parent Partner - one of the parents who has a child in a FAST school 

Community Partner ( like me) - person within community who wants to be involved. Mainly                                                         there were people from council, Plant Dewi Parenting, police.                                                         I had a privileged to be a community Partner, because I am                                                           studying Psychology and my my boss is organising FAST in                                                           our primary school! Again, how lucky am I?! 


                                                         Goals of FAST for Primary: 

Intermediate Goals : 


Goals that increase protective factors:
1. Parent Strength

•  Feels respected
• feels empowered
• feels supported
• feels more confident

2. Parent Involvement 

with Child ( Special Play) 

with Intimate Support ( Buddy Time) 

with other Parents ( Self-Help Group and FASTWORKS)

with Schools

with Community Activities & Resources 

Goals that reduce risk factors: 

3. Reduces Stresses f Daily Living

4. Reduces Substance Abuse in Child and Family

5. Reduces Chronic Family Conflict

                         

Ultimate goal: Better Child Outcomes in Home, School, Community: 

Child doing better at home

Child higher self-esteem

Child doing better in school

Child More positive about school

Child better relationship with parent 

Whoever thinks it's amazing, please put your hand up!  For all of those who would like to know more you can go to : www.familiesandschoolstogether.com

I can not express how excited I am! 

  I just wanted to thank everyone for your emails! It is making me feel so good, when I am coming home and there is inbox full of positive thoughts, comments and questions! It is making me feel really good, knowing that I am helping some of you, that you find my blog useful or funny and you all are so welcoming!!!  I will try to answer to all of your emails as soon as possible, so please bare with me! As you can see I am very busy doing as much as I can with different programs, so sometimes I am coming home and literally falling asleep on the sofa after quick dinner. Bless my partner he doesn't have a heart to wake me up, because he knows that I will not be able to go back to sleep, so he is carrying me upstairs nearly every night!!!  I don't think I would be able to do half as much, regarding my degree without his support! I know that he can't read this but I still want to say it : Thank you hun! Love you loads really, even when I am cranky... :)