h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I appologise for this being specific to my circumstances its what I know best

"Where to look for adult education centres, grants, and advice on which courses to attend."

GRANTS
Try your employer first of all they may have a scheme
Then your local councils education department. They probably have a fund or be able to advise you of potential sources of funding
At university level there are often hardship funds and bursaries for students so that is also a possible source.
Library resource centres may also be able to provide you with any other local funding that may be available.

CHOSING THE RIGHT COURSE
I discovered there were a couple of questions that you needed to know the answer to before you can get going... It may sound very silly but study may well form a major part of your life so it is in your best interest to get things right before they affect you and your family.
- I have completed an Open University full credit at second level couse and found it most enjoyable, but for me this degree would have taken me about 8 years to complete and given me a qualification that might have been inappropriate for what I wanted to do after graduating. I have had courses at the CityLit which have been eclectic and significantly not of degree standard. It is a case of horses for courses and for those long courses it pays to use the right horse! -

What you want to study
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The first thing I needed to do when looking to improve my education was to decide just what I wanted to do by way ouf a course - subject and level. This is particularly useful if you are studying for a purpose like changing your career path as it makes you think of your specific learning aims to achieve your required acreditation.
- It took me three years to make up my mind, but then again I am a procrastinator.-

When you want to study
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Once you decide what course you want to do the next decission is are you in a position to do it and give up work or do you need to hold down a job as well.
- I decided to keep my mortgage going, and 'survive' on a four year degree course I needed a sum of about £50,000 which was unachievable if I wanted to study before I retired so for me the decission was I had to keep working. -

Where you want to study
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Then you start looking for college / university locations. There may be restictions as to where you can attend. For some this is less of a restriction. There are plenty of places to study out there its just a case of finding the right one for your specific needs
- As I had a mortgage and needed to keep my job I had to have my course in central London or close to home. -


"How to juggle home, work, and study to great effect."
If you are doing something like a degree be honest with your employer about your college work. If they know you are studying to improve yourself then leaving early, exam leave, revision leave and field trips become so much easier.
If you have a family that make demands on your time set asside regular time throughout the week when you are not to be disturbed by them under any circumstances. More importantly stick to it.


"How to keep yourself motivated when all around you are watching TV or going out."
Give yourself the occasional treat, but the greatest way of keeping your nose to the grindstone is to give people permission to have a go at you when you are not studying.... getting friends and family on side (especially those that know your devious tricks) is WAY better than any other to keep you focussed.
Go and study in the library if you have the freedom to do so. Not only does it put you near all sorts of reference material it also means you dont get distracted by the washing up, lunch, that tv programme, or anything else.
Remember your goal - make it a mantra or a poster if you need to but never forget why you are putting yourself through this torture.

"How to cope if things get a little too much."
Invariably there are times when it all gets to much. I have had 4 assignments to complete in the last six weeks and I am now two weeks away from exams. My hair is alarmingly falling out by the handful. Some people get it worse than others.
My hints would be get sociable with a couple of your classmates. Preferably those who live within travelling distance. It is always handy to call a fellow student about a problem, or have study sessions every month over someones house.
It is very hard at times to distinguish between when people are genuinely concerned that you are overworking, or just want someone to go shopping with them. I think it has to be down to your own honesty with yourself.
Maybe Birkbeck is unique but I doubt it somehow... every student is allocated a personal tutor when things get real bad - there is always the posibility of talking to them, (or the Students union.)

Hath - back to her revision now
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