I have to say it – I’m three modules in to my OU degree and, while I regularly promise to set aside time for study, I always find myself doing no more that a three hour tutorial and then a further 3-6 hours doing the assignments and this has done the trick so far. There’s always something that gets in the way and eats up that time – something I’d rather be doing… and it’s not because I’m not enjoying it – I love maths and am somewhat annoyed with myself that I’m missing out on the richness of the OU course by cutting straight to the specific examples I need to complete the coursework.
So why am I not doing the work? Possibly the key reason is that I am currently able to get away with it. Why spend more time when I can do what I’m doing and get distinctions? Surely this is an efficient use of my time. I’m hardly a role model to students anywhere by doing this… but I doubt I’m the first.