Tuesday 20 May 2008

Status report

State of health - in recovery. Still coughing, and there is some limited nose-blowing activity. Today I seem to have done something minor to my back, which is twingeing, but I'm hoping that it's just because I'm sitting down all day at the moment.

State of house - filthy. Even revision is better than cleaning.

Wisteria and garden furnitureState of garden - glorious. The wisteria and ceanothus are in full bloom, along with some cornflowers I'd forgotten I planted last year, so we have a very purple theme. By the time I'm able to get out there, it will all have faded, but the trailing rose is absolutely covered with buds, and looks like it will put on an unbelievable show for us. If it waits until June, I'll even be able to enjoy it!

State of brain - fully immersed in revision, virtually no other topics of light conversation.

Four of the exams are over now, with two to go. The first one was Physiology: all the heart, lungs, digestion and kidney stuff. Unusually, there was no coursework associated with this module, which was assessed in its entirety on the results of 55 multiple choice questions. This suits me fine, I'm good at exams, but others of the group are rather worried about their performance.

The second exam was for the Data Transfer, Analysis and Presentation module, which includes the use of Access and Excel to collect and analyse data, different statistical tests, and Powerpoint graphical stuff for the presentation of results. 60% of this module was assessed via the easiest coursework in the whole world, so I'd already got those marks before even sitting down for the exam, which was unbelievably easy. Although one of my friends said she hadn't got through all the questions.

Yesterday was Food and Catering, and I don't think I covered myself with glory in that one. I timed things quite badly and by the end my handwriting had turned to scribble just to get some of the stuff written down. I hope they can read it. There's a cash prize for the best mark for this module, and although my coursework was OK, I don't think I'm in the running for first place.

Today was another multiple choice exam, on Food Safety, which was the Wednesday morning ordeal listening to a catalogue of all the things that can kill you. Usually I will head home straight after an exam, I don't enjoy the post-mortem that always happens, but this time I stayed for a cup of tea with some of the others. Given that none of us actually knows who's correct, it was interesting to hear some of the reasoning behind our random choices!

The next exam is Nutrition on Thursday afternoon, and then a whole week before the last one, Biochemistry. Neither of those is multiple choice, and Biochemistry is going to be a real doozy. I'll be ready for it, though.

Ceanothus close up

6 comments:

The Woman who Can said...

There you are you see! The end is in sight now...

aims said...

Yes indeed - the end is in sight. What will you do afterwards to celebrate besides the pub? Give yourself a little holiday?

Good for you for setting a goal and sticking to it.

Anonymous said...

Good luck on the rest of your exams! Remember there's a light at the end of the tunnel... :)

-Marjolein

travelling, but not in love said...

Garden looks great - love the wisteria. I'm jealous of outside space...!

Lola said...

I am REALLY looking forward to all the exams being over - I've got a little trip planned, to visit Lola II in London. Then there's a full two months of freedom before I have to attend my clinical placement, and then it's back to university again for Year 2. And if the summer is better than last year, I'll be able to spend some of it outside...

Jane Hards Photography said...

Almost there! Well I've learnt a thing or two nutrition wise here and found some inventive recipes, especially for porridge. Goodluck with the next phase, the placement.