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RHS Distance Learning Troubles

rglloydjonesrglloydjones Posts: 2
edited February 2020 in Garden design
Hello everyone, 

I've been studying the distance learning course RHS Level 2 Cert and I may have bitten off more than I can chew.. I'm worried about finishing the course in the allotted time limit. But I was wondering if anyone had any good tips for retaining information. Reading and repeating just isn't helping as much as I'd hoped. 

Or perhaps are there any study groups near central London you might know of that I can join?

Thanks in advance!
 
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Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I find writing things down helps me to remember things better than reading them.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Richard HodsonRichard Hodson Posts: 790
    What is a distance learning course ?
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I think @LG_ may have done this course (but l could be wrong !). They may be able to give some advice. 
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Hello. I did the Level 2 Diploma, though not by distance learning. There *is* a lot to learn and remember, and self-study can sometimes leave you floundering a bit, I think.

    I found that using several different methods worked well - approaching the same thing in different ways. Is there any particular topic / type of information you're finding particularly hard?

    I made YouTube playlists for each module, so I could hear people explain things in different ways and watch them demonstrate. I drew mind maps for the pests & diseases and the fruit & vegetables especially. If it's the botany or soil science, I found drawing out the diagrams for myself absolutely vital, alongside watching the aforementioned videos. For plant names, you could try Quizlet. But the single most useful thing for me was going through past papers. Challenging myself to actually do the tests really showed where the gaps were, and reading through the answers helped me to know what they're really looking for - it's not always obvious!

    If you'd like me to send you the links to my playlists, so you don't have to seek out all the videos yourself, let me know.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • rglloydjonesrglloydjones Posts: 2
    Hi LG
    I found that using several different methods worked well - approaching the same thing in different ways. Is there any particular topic / type of information you're finding particularly hard?

    At the moment it's the botany that's got me fretting - there is just so much to remember! 

    For plant names, you could try Quizlet.

    I've not heard of Quizlet - is it specifically horticulture related? 

    But the single most useful thing for me was going through past papers. Challenging myself to actually do the tests really showed where the gaps were, and reading through the answers helped me to know what they're really looking for - it's not always obvious!

    If you'd like me to send you the links to my playlists, so you don't have to seek out all the videos yourself, let me know.

    This would be amazing, thank you. I've found a fair few videos but a lot of them are much more in depth than I think the syllabus really requires. I'm sure checking out past papers as well will give me more of an idea of what they're looking for. 
    Thanks everyone for your help so far. Much appreciated! 
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Here is my playlist for the botany module: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLirtZef1iQ7ovD7aKMakJGP_7U69tLiBM
    There should be 33 videos - let me know if you can see it OK, otherwise I might need to change some settings. Yes, several are far more in depth than you need, but I found them useful nonetheless. The freesciencelessons and fuse school ones are the simplest, I think.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Here are the past papers, in case you hadn't found them yet: https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/qualifications-and-training/rhs-qualifications/level-2/past-papers

    If you find them useful, I have some older ones too. 

    Quizlet is just a test website for any subject, it's not horticulture-based. We're using it for the (non-RHS) course I'm currently doing and it's really useful for learning quick facts like names. I haven't explored it thoroughly, but you might be able to find existing quizzes that people have set up, or set up your own. No promises though, it was just a suggestion!

    Let me know if you have any trouble with the playlist, or if you want links to the others.

    Good luck.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    I did the RHS course the same as LG but I did mine at Capel Manor college 1 day a week. I also find writing things out the best way to remember them. I am afraid repetition  is often the only way I can get things to stick. 5 years on I regret I have  forgotten many of the plant names I had to learn at the time, as the old saying goes if you don't use it you loose it.  On the plus side if you read the course aims & outlines they are very specific about what they want you to know, so you can concentrate your effort.
    AB Still learning

  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    I’ve just enrolled to start doing it one day a week at Merrist Wood, starting in September.  Will be interesting to see whether my brain works the same way it did 35 years ago (last time I did an exam 😱) or whether I’m going to have to devise new strategies.  Writing things down on hundreds of index cards worked for me then, but I had none of today’s technology at my disposal 🧮
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Ah that's great, @chicky - glad you're doing it, you'll love it. A word of warning - my brain didn't work the same way as 30+ years ago. But new strategies are fun 🙂.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
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