Roll over and show me your belly

I know this is a strange request. Don’t worry I don’t mean literally, hopefully, you aren’t rolling on the floor right now! I’m working at home currently creating content and new materials which means I get to spend a lot of quality time with my miniature dachshund Pepper.

Pepper is a typical sausage dog in that they are bottomless pits when it comes to eating.  Food is her number one priority and she will do anything to get extra treats.  I’ve been recording some new content for our Facebook group, and YouTube channel this week, so Pepper has had to amuse herself downstairs.  The only time I get nervous is when she is quiet, it usually means that she is up to mischief!

I head downstairs to find her and see that she’s snuffling on the rug with something that looks like a treat bag.  I quickly realise she has jumped from the sofa, onto the table (quite a feat with her tiny legs) to get the bag of treats.  She has eaten the entire bag! I shout her name and tell her she’s a bad girl and her response is what she always does when she knows she has done something wrong, she rolls over on her back and shows me her belly.  It’s so cute, I find it hard not to laugh and stay mad with her.  She then starts whining at me until I scratch her belly and tell her she’s a good girl.  (Yes I know I am a terrible disciplinarian!) 

Thinking about this though, it is very similar to what students do when they haven’t put in enough work.  There is the sheepish look, and a request for me to make it better for them in any way (I draw the line at scratching bellies!).  Unfortunately, you are not as cute as Pepper so you will not get away with this technique – and there is only so much I can do, I cannot sit your exam for you, however much you might like that!

I suggest that you take certain steps to ensure you don’t get my disappointed face (no one wants this let me promise you) and get the best results in your exam

  1. Take accountability, you are doing this for yourself, and your career.  From this create a learning routine and stick to it.  Make a plan and work backwards to the exam, when are you going to start, and what times are you going to study during the week and weekends?  Make sure this is little and often. 
  2. Try and stick to the same times wherever possible, this makes it more of a habit that becomes ingrained.  Use time blocking to help you.
  3. Finally, plan time for completing assignments or testing yourself with a multiple choice quiz.  This active learning can help performance in the exam.

No excuses, you can do this!

Level 3 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1
3
2nd Oct, 16th Oct, 30th Oct
March 2024
M2 & M3
6
15th Jan, 29th Jan, 5th Feb, 19th Feb, 26th Feb, 4th Mar
May 2024
M4
3
15th Apr, 22nd Apr, 29th Apr
July 2024
M5
3
3rd June, 10th June, 24th June

Level 6 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1
3
5th Oct, 19th Oct, 9th November
March 2024
M2 & M5
5
25th Jan, 1st Feb, 8th Feb, 22nd Feb, 29th Feb
May 2024
M4 & M7
4
18th April, 25th April, 2nd May, 9th May
July 2024
M3 & M8
5
30th May, 13th June,20th June, 27th June, 4th July

Level 5 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1 & M2
4
4th Oct, 11th Oct, 18th Oct, 25th Oct, 1st Nov, 8th Nov
March 2024
M5, M15 & M9
4
31st Jan, 7th Feb, 21st Feb, 28th Feb, 6th March
May 2024
M3 & M8
4
10th April, 17th April, 24th April, 1st May
July 2024
M4
3
5th June, 12th June, 26th June

Level 4 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1 & M2
5
3rd Oct, 10th Oct, 17th Oct, 24th Oct, 7th Nov
March 2024
M3, M5, M7
6
23rd Jan, 30th Jan, 6th Feb, 20th Feb, 27th Feb, 5th March
May 2024
M4 & M6
4
9th April, 16th April, 23rd April, 30th April
July 2024
M8
3
4th June, 18th June, 2nd July