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Wednesday was a long day spent topping and tailing my end of course assignment. This is certainly the most administratively complicated piece of work that I’ve been tasked with during my student career.
The overall assessment consists of
CMA (Computer Marked Assignment)
Five day course in Nottingham (5 marks)
ECA (End of Course Assignment) consisting of:
- Lab book with hand written index
- TMA (Tutor Marked Assignment)
- Poster project, made up of:
- one photograph of a draft poster
- one list of comments from a tutor (signed)
- one final poster consisting of no more than ten A4 sheets, of which:
- one should contain the title
- one should contain a conclusion
- one should contain references (which should not include New Scientist or W. (the online reference source that dare not speak its name))
and finally …
- reflections, without which no OU project is complete
The resulting paperwork had to be divided (correctly) into two envelopes and sent to two different addresses.
Yeah; right. As if I am going to submit my lab book (complete with authenticating chemical stains) to the tender mercies of the Royal Mail: an organisation dedicated to rebranding itself as a 1950s-style British public service tribute act in which the customer is treated as a member of the undeserving poor.
OU HQ
Thursday morning, therefore, saw me heading off to OU HQ at Milton Keynes. I took the scenic route, courtesy of Tom Tom, which inexplicably took me through Buckingham, which cannot possibly be on the shortest or quickest route to anywhere.
There was a slight panic at reception, as I had not realised that, whilst “Projects and Dissertations” were in the same building, “Assignment Handling” had moved. Silly me.
Fortunately, the receptionist, representing the acceptable face of British customer service, thought that she could probably persuade somebody to make a detour. I left clutching my all important evidence of posting. Give that woman an OBE.
Ignoring Tom Tom, I took the more direct route home, taking time to note that the trees were just beginning to turn and mentally planning all the things that I was going to do with my new found freedom – read books, watch films, visit friends …
… one look at the living room floor served as an unambiguous reality check.
I am going to do the housework. I may be some time.
After Work 
Goodness, and I thought submitting a dissertation was complicated! I know what you mean about the post though – I emailed my dissertation off to be printed and was asked if I wanted it posted back to me – no way am I going to trust Royal Mail with 4 coupies of my hard work. They would either lose it or bend it trying to force it through the letterbox, or leave it on the front step in full view of any loitering thieves!
Good luck with the housework, I never notice the dust until I finish writing!
Helen, have you ever considered using your demonstrated wit, with Stand up comedy? Having rummaged through several of your blog posts, I usually leave smiling. 🙂
That’s an interesting career suggestion – perhaps I should give it some thought.