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Last post 11-06-2008 9:48 AM by Buttercup. 18 replies.

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  • 04/06/2008 07:53 PM
    In reply to
    • stanhol
    • Netherlands
    • 13 May 2007
    • 14
    Top 500 Contributor
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     Hi Faraway,

    I am studying with the HCC, I say studying loosely, it being spring and having a greenhouse!

    I got 10 lessons (booklets) to complete with HCC a suggested reading list, access to a tutor who will advise and send you extra notes if needed. I also got the Principles of Horticulture book free when I joined, which i have found really useful. I also joined the RHS and troll web sites etc regularly!  

    I am studying at my own pace, on lesson 5 now which is garden planning, i started in september, so you can see i am quite slow. But with 3 children and no access to an English library you can understand why! There is no pressure at all about timings only those that you set yourself.

    Good luck

     

    Sandra 

     
  • 06/06/2008 04:37 PM
    In reply to
    • Buttercup
    • Scotland
    • 06 Jun 2008
    • 5
    Not Ranked
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    Hi fellow swots.  I just signed up for the HCC level2 course.  I've literally just cracked the spine on the first lesson, getting my head round angiosperms, gymnosperms etc etc.  I too am finding it a bit challenging, but I suppose that when we move through the course using the proper plant names will become second nature - hopefully!

    I was quite concerned to read the negative comments about the HCC material, but I guess the proof of the pudding and all that.  I intend to read around the subject a fair bit so I suppose if there are any shortcomings in the notes I should be able to compensate?  I'm lucky enough to live very close to a library so I've ordered up a few books, beats paying for them.
  • 10/06/2008 01:46 PM
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    Top 100 Contributor
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    Hi Buttercup, I too found the start of the course really daunting, and haven't made much progress - now as the weather is better I can't quite manage to knuckle down and get on with it! I think your idea of borrowing books is great. I'm sure the syllabus covers everything you need to know, maybe the books will just add more clarificaton and make it more enjoyable!

     
  • 11/06/2008 09:48 AM
    In reply to
    • Buttercup
    • Scotland
    • 06 Jun 2008
    • 5
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    Just doing mitosis and meiosis (nearly posted that spelled wrong - doh!).  I've found that if I do a little bit every day or so instead of doing big chunks of studying, I seem to remember things better.  I usually sit at the kitchen table while I make dinner and my son does his homework and I can usually get about 30 - 40 minutes done, and then I need a lie down!

     The other day I found my daughter's 'Revision Notes for Higher Biology' (we live in Scotland), by Andrew Morton, although it has some stuff that isn't relevant, the majority of the material is really useful and easy to understand.  I also find the diagrams better than the HCC notes.  So it might be good to try and get something like that, I imagine charity shops and libraries would have these texts, you could also raid your or your friends childrens bookshelves (or more likely floor) if they're of the exam sitting age.