How to cope during assignments (2)

So now that the assignment is over, just what is the best way to cope with them?

For starters don't panic. Many an assignment looks daunting when you first see the question but by the time you come to do the task it's much easier to tackle.

Looking at the questions early is useful as it helps with note-taking on each unit. It also means if the question has to be submitted in a particularly complicated format (looking at you, academic posters) you can start preparing the document or thinking about how to create a particular mode.

For most of the written assignments there's usually at least a whole week before submission set aside for the assignment. Often there's at least one special online tutorial devoted to how to tackle it, in particular format and logistics, so make sure to either attend or watch the recordings.

Try to find somewhere quiet and away from distractions to get as much done as possible. This might be a room at home, it might a library, it could be anywhere.

Make sure you have notes, both from the regular units but also specific to the assignment.

If you're on any online forums or groups, check in with them at a reasonable pace. They're good for knowing you're not alone and for getting advice on any technical problems but don't let yourself get too distracted by online conversations.

Everyone has their own pace of writing things. Some people can sit down and dash off a whole first draft in a few hours. Others find it better to write a single paragraph then go away and come back before tackling the next one. There is no one right way to write things.

When drafting, make sure you keep reasonably within the word limit and have time to go back and trim things down if needs be. All my OU assignments have been rigid with word counts and anything over the limit simply will not be marked.

Aim to get a first draft completed early enough to give you time to come back and go over it again.

The submission time is normally 12:00 but with a twelve hours' grace period after this. However, this grace period is intended for handling technical problems, not extra time in which to do the work. Make sure you are able to submit it before the absolute deadline. If necessary, check for the email address to send a copy to if there are problems with the online submission system.

When the assignment is completed and submitted then it's important to relax. Don't spend time worrying about what you've submitted after it's too late to change things.

And of course don't forget about them. Some students have only remembered they have them due at the last minute.

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