I didn't just do the course for fun, the course was for work. The course was to help me with my professional development. The course seemed like a good idea at the time.
When I was on the course, I told the tutor that I was just a few short weeks from being a dad. The tutor and my coursemates all congratulated me in advance, and we continued the learning. The weather that week was beautiful; the sun shone in a manner suggesting it had forgotten what month is was (March! Sun! In March! April, take note.)
The trouble with courses, is they come with coursework. Not a problem in the before-times. But, now, on top of the powerful distraction provided by Twitter, Facebook, blogs, forums, eating, making cups of tea, thinking about eating, the weather and what's on TV, there's the baby.
Babies don't know about coursework. Because they're babies. Babies don't care about PESTLE analyses. Or SWOT analyses. Or word counts. Or Harvard referencing conventions. They don't care at all. They care about crying. Screaming and screaming and screaming while you are trying to do coursework.
Fine.
I didn't want to do coursework anyway. So the baby gets a cuddle. He stops crying. I put him down, return to the PESTLE. He cries. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Fine.
I didn't want to do the coursework anyway. So I shut the laptop. Close the text book. The baby gets a cuddle. I get a cup of tea. I'm far happier than when I was doing the coursework.
But the coursework must be done. It is not optional. It is the first of four, spread over the next four months. So, readers, I turn to you: what are your strategies? How do I complete the coursework while the baby is in the house?
Tomorrow, Mrs L will be taking the baby to her parents house for a while, so that I can concentrate on the coursework. I will miss him. I'd rather be bouncing my baby than SWOTing. I'd probably rather be changing a nappy than writing a competitor analysis.
But just because a baby is incompatible with coursework, doesn't mean I don't have to do it.
Ah, those wonderful SWOT analyses. I don't envy you in the slightest. Hope you get your coursework done
ReplyDeleteI've still not finished it, but I will! Thanks!
DeleteI've got no idea other than use your time wisely because with a baby there is no later. Don't turn on twitter or FB, just do the assignment and get it out of the way. Then you can concentrate on bouncing the baby and changing a crappy nappy.
ReplyDeleteTime management is not a strong point of mine, but I already feel like I've improved a little bit! I definitely don't have much in the way of "down time" anymore!
DeleteOh dear, good luck dude!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'll need it! :-)
DeleteLet me know when you work it out! *headbutts self*
ReplyDelete*whispers* the answer is chocolate...solves every problem...
DeleteI studied for a management accountancy qualification a while back, no baby at the time but lots of work. My solution was to do it in hour chunks before work and during lunch times. Let's face it if you do it at home and the baby is there then you'll either be wanting to look after him or help mum.
ReplyDeleteWise words. I'll be trying to be a little more sensible with assignment number two!
DeleteWhen I had babies and needed to work I stuck them on the breast and that kept them quiet whilst I typed one handed. I'm guessing that's possibly not the solution you are looking for ?
ReplyDelete