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@Sneakylink34 Thanks for the Best Pick!
When I was doing uni, I found getting organised early was crucial to doing well.
The courses open on line in the week before the first lecture and tutorial.
I had to put that entire week aside just for getting organised.
This included cross referencing the study goals, the rubric, the wording of the assignment, and the particular topics and angles that might interest me most.
The study goals gave me an idea of the values and approaches behind the design of the course. These often included hints about the tutor's values and preferences.
The rubric let me know the standard expected in order to achieve a Distinction or High Distinction. Even "mechanical" things like spelling, punctuation, grammar, conciseness, orderly and flowing development of ideas, and correct referencing could drag an assignment down by as much as 10% - so thorough editing makes a huge difference.
I'd buy a calendar to stick on the wall beside my study space (the bed) - and fill in the due time and date for every assignment. Then I'd mark back one week for the date for finishing the first draft. That allowed me time to check everything, edit and polish. I'd cross the days off so I could always see exactly how much time I had, and what needed doing that week.
I'd start read the first week's lecture notes (and writing questions for the tutor),
working on the theoretical and practical exercises
(these helped hugely in developing ideas for the assignments),
and reading the set and optional readings. I made notes on the most important ideas in each reading - highlighted the spots that might make the best quotes, and referenced them. This made things much faster and easier when illustrating arguments for and against the main ideas, and for supporting my premises and conclusions.
Sometimes, among these, I'd find references to writers of related ideas, arguing positions for and against the topic. I'd make notes of these references, in case I might need them later for one of the assignments. They also provided me with opportunities for further research after leaving uni.
This way, I'd hit the ground running in the first week - being fully ready for both the lecture and the tutorial - and I'd keep working that way all the way through the 12 weeks of each course, always one week ahead.
Whenever I had difficulty with anything, I found a chat with one of the librarians was often a huge help. There's usually at least one available during working hours both in person in the library, or online via The Blackboard (or uni's internal online app), or by phone.
Getting organised in this way was the main thing that helped with my anxiety.
And I'm not usually a very organised person; I normally do only as much as necessary and leave the rest. It helps that I love learning.
As an older age student, I have other responsibilities, such as cooking, laundry, keeping house, looking after horses, slashing paddocks (64 acres) and keeping weeds down. I found that while most students just out of school could manage four courses per session or semester; they were mostly still living at home with mothers to feed them, do their laundry and provide free accomodation - no need for part-time jobs.
For me, doing only one course per semester was the only way I could get those high marks.
I hope this might have helped
When I was doing uni, I found getting organised early was crucial to doing well.
The courses open on line in the week before the first lecture and tutorial.
I had to put that entire week aside just for getting organised.
This included cross referencing the study goals, the rubric, the wording of the assignment, and the particular topics and angles that might interest me most.
The study goals gave me an idea of the values and approaches behind the design of the course. These often included hints about the tutor's values and preferences.
The rubric let me know the standard expected in order to achieve a Distinction or High Distinction. Even "mechanical" things like spelling, punctuation, grammar, conciseness, orderly and flowing development of ideas, and correct referencing could drag an assignment down by as much as 10% - so thorough editing makes a huge difference.
I'd buy a calendar to stick on the wall beside my study space (the bed) - and fill in the due time and date for every assignment. Then I'd mark back one week for the date for finishing the first draft. That allowed me time to check everything, edit and polish. I'd cross the days off so I could always see exactly how much time I had, and what needed doing that week.
I'd start read the first week's lecture notes (and writing questions for the tutor),
working on the theoretical and practical exercises
(these helped hugely in developing ideas for the assignments),
and reading the set and optional readings. I made notes on the most important ideas in each reading - highlighted the spots that might make the best quotes, and referenced them. This made things much faster and easier when illustrating arguments for and against the main ideas, and for supporting my premises and conclusions.
Sometimes, among these, I'd find references to writers of related ideas, arguing positions for and against the topic. I'd make notes of these references, in case I might need them later for one of the assignments. They also provided me with opportunities for further research after leaving uni.
This way, I'd hit the ground running in the first week - being fully ready for both the lecture and the tutorial - and I'd keep working that way all the way through the 12 weeks of each course, always one week ahead.
Whenever I had difficulty with anything, I found a chat with one of the librarians was often a huge help. There's usually at least one available during working hours both in person in the library, or online via The Blackboard (or uni's internal online app), or by phone.
Getting organised in this way was the main thing that helped with my anxiety.
And I'm not usually a very organised person; I normally do only as much as necessary and leave the rest. It helps that I love learning.
As an older age student, I have other responsibilities, such as cooking, laundry, keeping house, looking after horses, slashing paddocks (64 acres) and keeping weeds down. I found that while most students just out of school could manage four courses per session or semester; they were mostly still living at home with mothers to feed them, do their laundry and provide free accomodation - no need for part-time jobs.
For me, doing only one course per semester was the only way I could get those high marks.
I hope this might have helped
CassandraSissy · 26-30, TVIP
Are you new to this?
How far along are you in transition?
How skilled are you at dressing as a woman?
Do you know how to dress to suit your body type, personality and the occasion or place?
I was recently chatting to an SW man of over 80 who loves to crossdress. He is very tall, broad shouldered and obviously born with a male body. He wears a gigantic water-filled bra, tarty makeup and a bleached blonde wig - all incredibly obvious. He tells me he has never had even one bad reaction in his local area. People just smile.
I think people are getting far more open minded - but it does depend a fair bit on where you live.
How far along are you in transition?
How skilled are you at dressing as a woman?
Do you know how to dress to suit your body type, personality and the occasion or place?
I was recently chatting to an SW man of over 80 who loves to crossdress. He is very tall, broad shouldered and obviously born with a male body. He wears a gigantic water-filled bra, tarty makeup and a bleached blonde wig - all incredibly obvious. He tells me he has never had even one bad reaction in his local area. People just smile.
I think people are getting far more open minded - but it does depend a fair bit on where you live.
View 6 more replies »
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@hartfire Thank you for those kind words. When I saw "In that outfit ..." in my notifications I feared the worst! :-)
I'm not really a hippie, a few years too young really to be an original hippie and not anywhere near self-confident enough to go completely alternative. Also I'm fond of my creature comforts and the pleasures afforded by high technology. In many ways I'm quite conventional, long engineering career, only once married (well perhaps that makes me unconventional these days), children, own house, moderately expensive car, etc. But my formative years were the 60s and 70s in southern England, progressive rock, fashion consciousness, politics becoming something that young people in secondary schools got involved in, race, sex, and gender becoming topics of conversation, and so on.
But those times, even though I look back on them fondly, were a lot less welcoming to people who don't quite fit. I couldn't have dressed as I am in that picture when I was in my teens or twenties; it would have been an invitation to a lot of aggravation and possibly violence whereas now I am treated with courtesy everywhere I go however I dress.
Now that I am both widowed and retired I'm having, not a second childhood, but a second youth! I can have the pleasures of standing out from the crowd a little without the risks that come with being a pioneer and a rebel! I get the occasional hostile stare and once or twice I have been laughed at but mostly no one seems to care except for a few who have complimented me as they passed me in the street!
Not entirely sure how greenie translates from Oz to England, but ecology and circular economy have been lifelong interests. Everything I'm wearing in that picture is second-hand, mostly from charity shops, some found items (the chain on my right ankle), except for my bra and thong.
Sorry to waffle on so, I use SW as a combination diary and talking therapy!
I'm not really a hippie, a few years too young really to be an original hippie and not anywhere near self-confident enough to go completely alternative. Also I'm fond of my creature comforts and the pleasures afforded by high technology. In many ways I'm quite conventional, long engineering career, only once married (well perhaps that makes me unconventional these days), children, own house, moderately expensive car, etc. But my formative years were the 60s and 70s in southern England, progressive rock, fashion consciousness, politics becoming something that young people in secondary schools got involved in, race, sex, and gender becoming topics of conversation, and so on.
But those times, even though I look back on them fondly, were a lot less welcoming to people who don't quite fit. I couldn't have dressed as I am in that picture when I was in my teens or twenties; it would have been an invitation to a lot of aggravation and possibly violence whereas now I am treated with courtesy everywhere I go however I dress.
Now that I am both widowed and retired I'm having, not a second childhood, but a second youth! I can have the pleasures of standing out from the crowd a little without the risks that come with being a pioneer and a rebel! I get the occasional hostile stare and once or twice I have been laughed at but mostly no one seems to care except for a few who have complimented me as they passed me in the street!
Not entirely sure how greenie translates from Oz to England, but ecology and circular economy have been lifelong interests. Everything I'm wearing in that picture is second-hand, mostly from charity shops, some found items (the chain on my right ankle), except for my bra and thong.
Sorry to waffle on so, I use SW as a combination diary and talking therapy!
@ninalanyon My formative years were also the 60's and 70's. I was born in 1956 in London, grew up in Sydney, Australia, and studied art (sculpture) at St Martins in London in the late 70's-early 80's. I saw some of the beginnings of the green movement there at the time, esp. in Wales and Cornwall.
Op shops are great fun for fashions - so many ways to repurpose, invent and self express.
So glad that the world has changed enough for you to be able to be your true self - and that you can have so much fun with it now.
Yep, green(ie) includes ecological awareness, lifestyles and activism (to varying degrees, as well as moving towards a circular economy - anything and everything that reduces global warming and pollution, and helps a sustainable and healthy balance in nature.
Do you get on well with your kids?
What kind of engineering did you do?
One of the technicians on my M.A. course was T. She was a classic car buff, and highly skilled with anything in wood or metal work - a great teacher for me. In her late 50s, she preferred to wear seamed mesh-net stockings, miniskirts, high heels, and jewellery. It definitely offended against the Work, Health and Safety regulations - but the artschool found her too valuable to object. They'd never have allowed the students to get away with such risks. She was one of the people who helped introduce me to T and other non-binary issues.
CD is different - not the same as T by a long shot - and I imagine different for each individual.
One friend, David/Ameliana, says it's all about the sensuality - the feel of the garments. She says she feels more feminine in them and that this expresses an important side of herself. Boat builder by trade. She certainly looks amazing - moves very gracefully - carries it off far better that most cis-women.
Op shops are great fun for fashions - so many ways to repurpose, invent and self express.
So glad that the world has changed enough for you to be able to be your true self - and that you can have so much fun with it now.
Yep, green(ie) includes ecological awareness, lifestyles and activism (to varying degrees, as well as moving towards a circular economy - anything and everything that reduces global warming and pollution, and helps a sustainable and healthy balance in nature.
Do you get on well with your kids?
What kind of engineering did you do?
One of the technicians on my M.A. course was T. She was a classic car buff, and highly skilled with anything in wood or metal work - a great teacher for me. In her late 50s, she preferred to wear seamed mesh-net stockings, miniskirts, high heels, and jewellery. It definitely offended against the Work, Health and Safety regulations - but the artschool found her too valuable to object. They'd never have allowed the students to get away with such risks. She was one of the people who helped introduce me to T and other non-binary issues.
CD is different - not the same as T by a long shot - and I imagine different for each individual.
One friend, David/Ameliana, says it's all about the sensuality - the feel of the garments. She says she feels more feminine in them and that this expresses an important side of herself. Boat builder by trade. She certainly looks amazing - moves very gracefully - carries it off far better that most cis-women.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@hartfire Wow! Did you ever exhibit any work? I often walk around the sculpture park at the Henie-Onstadt Art Centre and enjoy looking at the huge variety of styles. Here is one of my favourites:
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It's called Ragnarokk for the 117th time, I'm embarrassed to say that I had forgotten the name of the artist. Had to look it up, it's by Bjørn Nørgaard from 1985.
Yes I get on well with my children, but if you mean do they have an opinion about my dressing, well I don't really know what they think and I'm careful to tone it down a lot when I am at home. So at home I never wear skirts, a bra, or makeup but I do wear mostly fem or androgynous clothes and sometimes a little jewellery. And last summer I had my ears pierced. The pictures I post on SW are all taken away from home, except for a very few that are taken at home on the rare occasions that all three of them are out at work.
My childhood dream was to be a famous physicist and it all looked good until I got to uni and found that everyone else was also the best in their school and I was suddenly merely average. So after uni I went into electronics instead which had been my hobby for many years. Eventually I started with programming as well out of frustration because the programmers never seemed able to make good use of the hardware that I designed. Eventually I drifted into pure software in the electrical power distribution business. I've never been especially skilful with my hands although I do occasionally do small bits of DIY, repair jewellery and clothes, etc., and I have built a fair amount of electronic gear.
Your trans technician sounds like powerful personality! That's rather different from me, I'm really quite shy and retiring even though it might not seem that way if you look at my posts and pictures here on SW. And of course as you mention CD is rather different from T; I wish that SW would allow the gender field to be free text instead of the short list they have. As for what being a CD is all about, I think you might get a different answer from all of us. For me it started as a bit of silly fun to pass the time in my hotel room after a long day at a conference/workshop with no thought of dressing in public, it was just the sensuality of the underwear. But now it's not just that (and I'm sure it's not just that for your Ameliana either), I feel more me when I am dressed, I stand straighter and feel lighter (even though I have half a kilo extra in each bra cup).
It's called Ragnarokk for the 117th time, I'm embarrassed to say that I had forgotten the name of the artist. Had to look it up, it's by Bjørn Nørgaard from 1985.Yes I get on well with my children, but if you mean do they have an opinion about my dressing, well I don't really know what they think and I'm careful to tone it down a lot when I am at home. So at home I never wear skirts, a bra, or makeup but I do wear mostly fem or androgynous clothes and sometimes a little jewellery. And last summer I had my ears pierced. The pictures I post on SW are all taken away from home, except for a very few that are taken at home on the rare occasions that all three of them are out at work.
My childhood dream was to be a famous physicist and it all looked good until I got to uni and found that everyone else was also the best in their school and I was suddenly merely average. So after uni I went into electronics instead which had been my hobby for many years. Eventually I started with programming as well out of frustration because the programmers never seemed able to make good use of the hardware that I designed. Eventually I drifted into pure software in the electrical power distribution business. I've never been especially skilful with my hands although I do occasionally do small bits of DIY, repair jewellery and clothes, etc., and I have built a fair amount of electronic gear.
Your trans technician sounds like powerful personality! That's rather different from me, I'm really quite shy and retiring even though it might not seem that way if you look at my posts and pictures here on SW. And of course as you mention CD is rather different from T; I wish that SW would allow the gender field to be free text instead of the short list they have. As for what being a CD is all about, I think you might get a different answer from all of us. For me it started as a bit of silly fun to pass the time in my hotel room after a long day at a conference/workshop with no thought of dressing in public, it was just the sensuality of the underwear. But now it's not just that (and I'm sure it's not just that for your Ameliana either), I feel more me when I am dressed, I stand straighter and feel lighter (even though I have half a kilo extra in each bra cup).
Ducky · 31-35, F
Might be best to just tread carefully all you can with that. Lest you encounter individuals like the couple of class acts on this post going out of their way just to talk shit about transgenders. Please don't let them get you down. They're only revealing far more about themselves than they are you.
apersonnamedit · 26-30, T
@Ducky i just don't speak unless i absolutely have to. I'm afraid my voice will give me away
Smoothsailing121 · 26-30, M
apersonnamedit · 26-30, T
@Smoothsailing121 im not forcing it on anyone
apersonnamedit · 26-30, T
@MasterLee unfortunately
Smoothsailing121 · 26-30, M
apersonnamedit · 26-30, T
@Smoothsailing121 im not a predator
Smoothsailing121 · 26-30, M
@apersonnamedit the signs are there as you prefur to make women uncomfortable for your own prefrence
apersonnamedit · 26-30, T
@Smoothsailing121 i think i pass well and nobody even knows im trans