Help needed

System
System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 18 in AAT student discussion
Ok so last September I enrolled on a distance learning package through ftc Kaplan, I started out ok but found that I quickly lost interest as just reading through the books was boring to me and I wasn't grasping the basic things. I put it on hold as I was suffering from stress through buying my first house and work so deferred to the December 07 sitting.

I've recently took it back up but I feel like im going to have to start again as I dont remember anything I've done so im worried that im just not going to be prepared in time for the exam come december. I'm struggling finding time to do it as im out of the house from 8.15 - 6.15 mon - fri for work, by the time I get in and cook tea its normally around 7.30 before I get the chance to sit down and im normally exhausted by then.

Is it even possible for me to be prepared in time?

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    Hi

    The problem with distance learning is trying to keep yourself motivated and trying to fit it around your life which is not always easy. Only you know ifyou can give it the time and keep at it when you really don't want to, but it is possible.

    Stick at it.
    Eva :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    Hi there. I have just this week enrolled to do the diploma path and have today started Unit 30. I am also doing distance learning through Premier Training. They have given me a timetable to work to and I am also working towards my first exam in December, so I think if you crack on with it then you should have enough time. Well I hope I have! :)
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    Well I'm going to set aside an hour after work every night to do some, I did last night and I'm starting from the beginning like I said but I am remembering things. I know I can do it if I stick at it, I have to complete the course, work has paid for it for me so not doing the exams isn't an option! I'm feeling alot more positive today though, I'm going to ask my boss if he'll let me have a few hours on a friday afternoon to do some work as well then if I do a few hours over the weekend im hoping that will be enough ( I think it works out 10 - 15 hours per week )
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    it hard work i work also have 3 children had have a home to look after there is so much to do i tried 1 hour a night but found by the time i sat to study i was to tiried what i started to do is do study for a few hours on sat when i got up helps loads fell better now sat june 2007 exam ..waiting results still have skills test to do as summer break with kids his holding my study up .....study buddys help lol x good luck
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    I am a distance learning student with Premier Training. I run my own business so I am at work from 8 -5.I have 6 children 5 of which are still at home and have a horse which I ride each day. I study usually 3/4 evenings a week from 9pm-12pm and sunday afternoon too.I started foundation last October and sat my exam in Dec'06 and passed. By mid feb I had completed all skills test and my portfolio was complete. I started the intermediate at the end of Feb and sat both FRA and ECR in June having completed all skills test. Awaiting results....
    Keep yourself focused and motivated, remind yourself what you goal is and why you are doing this, nothing comes easily but it wil be worth it in the end.
    Good Luck

    Jx


  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed


    Good grief! To do both Foundation & Intermediate in one year with everyone and everything else around you is just incredible and truly inspirational. Puts to shame all those "I don't have the time" stories we hear so often and doubtless Technician will also be done in equally lightning quick time.

    Good luck for your results next week.

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    MummyBear - I dont know how you cope!! You must be a very determined person!

    blobbyh - I guess that was a bit of a dig at me then...

    Well I've been sticking in and doing an hour or so every night and so far im actually enjoying it which I was pleasantly surprised at. I've managed to do around 6 chapters over 3 nights which I dont think is too bad, plus im actually understanding it all unlike last time! I've done one of the practice exams on here and im struggling a bit with the first section but got all the questions bar one correct on the second section.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    It does help a lot if you enjoy it.

    You should make the most of the time you have at foundation - Intermediate is a much bigger workload and technician more so.

    I made the mistake at intermediate of putting my coursework off to the very last minute cos I found I 'never had the time' what with being out of the house from 6.50 til 7.15 mon-fri, being in and out of hospital, having to look after my animals, driving lessons and everything else. I'm determined not to make the same mistake for technician!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    Hi,
    Sounds like your on a roll now. It does help when you enjoy and understand the work.
    I am a determined person but my husband and I have learnt over the years that nothing is handed to you on a plate and there is only one person who is going to make it happen and that is yourself!
    I am not doing any studying this month as it is my busiest time of the year at work, I am having to come in the evenings and a few hours at the weekends, besides which, I would like the results through before I move on.

    Robert,
    I have been looking at the Technician level and have decided to do the taxation units. I have also looked at payroll which I have got a some experience in within the workplace and am wondering if I could run both courses side by side or would that be total madness?
    My plan for the future is to provide a book keeping and payroll service to small businesses so the sooner I can complete all the courses the better. However, I do want to be able live a life at the same time :!:
    Any advice would be welcomed
    Jx
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    *Gem*, to be fair I don't think the dig was especially at you. If you were stressed out with moving & your job you had more than ample reason to put everything on hold. I always admire people who study at home as personnally I know I couldn't do it.

    Mummybear - Phew!
    I have learnt over the years that nothing is handed to you on a plate and there is only one person who is going to make it happen and that is yourself!
    I couldn't agree more! But I would advise it is quite a leap from Intermediate to Technician and to do Payroll as well may be a stretch even for you!! What's to stop you offering a bookkeeping service first and then doing Payroll later?

    Jan
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    To be honest I know I've only got myself to blame and I accept that, but I'm doing something about it now.

    I'm lucky in that the route I'm doing I don't have to do any coursework, it's just one exam and a simulation.

    I can understand where you're coming from mummybear, it seems like a rare occasion these days when I actually get out of the office on time ( my hours are more like 8.30 - 6.30 these days ). I've just had to deal with an audit as well so had a few working weekends to make sure everything was prepared.

    Out of curiosity which payroll course is it you're planning on doing?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    *Gem* wrote:
    blobbyh - I guess that was a bit of a dig at me then...
    No, it wasn't - I hadn't actually read your post Gem, it's just a very common thing I think most of us have heard once we've reached an advanced stage and interacted with a few people. While I appreciate that there are some people who genuinely have little or no time to study, I do think these are in a minority and are outweighed by those who having done a hard days work, feel stressed out and put their feet up in front of the TV in the evening instead of studying. Nothing wrong with that under most circumstances but my own view is, those people then can't say they don't have the time when they do but choose to spend it differently. It's hard to balance a work/study/social life and something often has to give, but those that are serious about their career manage it successfully and the old cliche "No pain, no gain" is rarely more appropriate.

    None of the AAT units are especially difficult, even at Technician level, as long as people put the time and effort in and you can generally tell those that haven't come certain times of the year.

    When I started Foundation, I was doing two near full time jobs to support myself while on low wages plus I had my kids every weekend, Friday night to Sunday night. My own sacrifice was quality time for myself to heal properly from a life changing event and these were seriously dark times for me so I guess maybe I didn't manage it too well, but mummybears story is still fantastic and sets a benchmark for many others to stive for.

    Regards,

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    I didnt read it as a direct dig by Robert either. But it just shows how important it is to read all the posts before commenting.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed


    Yes miss...! :wink:

    (Oh no, a rare smiley from myself, can't have people thinking I'm almost human after all...)
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed
    blobbyh wrote:
    Yes miss...! :wink:
    Mrs :twisted:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    I wasn't having a go at you, I was just saying that you had a fair point, I know I only have myself to blame because at the time I wasn't interested in doing the course. Now I am and I seem to be picking it up well so far, I did a practice exam earlier and got all the answers correct according to the answers given for it on this website so I was pleased with that :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    Gem

    In May I too was pondering on whether to delay my PLB exams till December 2007 as I was still on unit 1 and was not sure if I had enough time to prepare for my exams in June 07.

    I posted my concerns here took on the advice and carried on studying. I must admit I did cram a lot - it is hard when you have a full time job - but I thought to myself I will give it my best shot and if anything treat it as a mock exam. I think the fact that I had paid for the exams actually gave me the motivation to get back from work and study. It was hard but it has paid off - Got my results today for PLB and I have passed.

    I think the best thing is start off in small chunks. Have regular breaks. You haven't said if you live alone or with a partner, because maybe you can share household jobs or make some extra dinner that you can freeze for another night. (Sorry if I sound as if I'm dictating but these are the things that I did just to free up some time). I also found it useful to go to the library to study straight after work.

    You can do it - just remain positive.

    Good luck.

    Mandie

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    Well Done! I passed both FRA and ECR.Yippeeeeee

    Jx
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:release the papers

    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
    RELEASE THE ANSWER PAPERS TO NVQ AAT FOUNDATION LEVEL 2
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    COME ON GUYS CARRY ON PUTTING ON THE VOTEE TIME LIMIT HAS GONN WE CANT WAIT NO LONGERRRR!!!! RELASEEEE PLEASEEE EXAM PAPERS!!!!!!!! PLEASE POST YOUR VIEWS AND THREADS!!!!!!!! PUBLIC VOTE


  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Help needed

    COME ON GUYS CARRY ON PUTTING ON THE VOTEE TIME LIMIT HAS GONN WE CANT WAIT NO LONGERRRR!!!! RELASEEEE PLEASEEE EXAM PAPERS!!!!!!!! PLEASE POST YOUR VIEWS AND THREADS!!!!!!!! PUBLIC VOTE


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