Diary of an Early Childhood Studies Student, 2: Coursework Coursework

I can’t believe I’ve nearly finished my first year!

It’s been a busy time since my first blog. I’ve written several assignments and received the results: I got 72%, 68% and 50%. Thankfully, they were all passes and overall came to a solid 2:1. I was very happy with my first two results but my last one really disappointed me. It was more to do with the fact I really tried and still came out with quite a low percentage. However, when I spoke to different members of staff, I realised where I got confused – though there were still some areas that didn’t add up. I spoke to a lot of people on my course and quite a few hadn’t done as well as they hoped, so I was just glad to get a solid pass.

One part of the assignments that I knew I struggled with was referencing: it just felt like the bane of my life. So much detail is needed.  The feedback was that there were a few errors in the reference lists so I’ve made it my aim to make sure I don’t have the same problem this semester. Also, although I read over my own work several times, I realise I should probably ask others to proof-read it as well. The main mistake I have made is with grammar and wording, which someone else could have picked up on. Now those assignments are behind me and I have three more this second semester to focus on. Early Childhood Studies is all coursework and involves no exams. This is perfect for me as I struggle in tests, particularly with remembering all the information needed - I feel I don’t perform to the best to my ability.

I still continue to work in Sheffield Hallam University Nursery. I usually try to work once a week but due to being on placement more and having to keep up with my recent assignment I haven’t been able to work as much. After nearly six months of working there I definitely feel settled. The staff know me and I know the staff and the children a lot more. Compared to the full-time staff (that are assigned a specific group) I work in all groups which I really like as I meet all the staff at some point and most of the children. As it gets into summer and I will have completed my assignments, I should have more time to work in the nursery and get a bit more money and experience going into the second year.

Last semester I went on placement for one block week, but this semester, which started from the new year, I have to attend two days a week for six weeks and one block week within that time. My placement is at a primary school and involved a lot of travel and time, but I’m happy to say I will get cost of travel refunded by the university.  Though my degree isn’t a teaching one, I was given the chance to teach a group of around six children this term, which was a challenge but very rewarding. I mainly got told what to teach - usually this was maths. I also had to mark work a lot of the time and also do other day-to-day tasks such as photocopying, laminating and tidying. Children were 6 and 7 years old - Year 2. I loved working with older children - really being able to talk to them and get on their level. It was a very different experience from working in a nursery and has opened me up to the idea of maybe working with children that are a bit older, but I’m still not completely sure of what want to do.

My placement in semester two had more university work incorporated into it, which included completing observations and reviews with staff. The placement module is called The Role of the Adult in Children's Exploration and Learning. This assignment is made up of a professional and personal portfolio, which I have already submitted - which is such a relief as it took a lot of time to organise. It involves all the paperwork (observations and reviews) completed on placement and three essay questions. My second module is Researching Childhood and it has two small online tests that are 10 per cent each towards the final grade of the module, and also three essay questions. My last module, Early Childhood in Context involves me doing a PowerPoint of 200 words per slide on what I have learnt each week at uni, and by the end of the module I should have 12 slides.

Although the first year in uni does not count towards my overall mark, I would advise trying with assignments as it can really help in the long run. It gets you into good working and studying habits, improves your timekeeping and develops your assignment skills. In preparation for next year I sorted my accommodation before Christmas. It is best to get it done early as the prices increase as time goes on and choices can become limited. My teaching is over for the year, and all that is left is my final assignments, which have to be submitted in April and May, and then summer!

I look forward to continuing my blog into my second year as an Early Childhood Studies student… I’m excited for what the second year will bring.