Just started L2. How to study....?

Last post 18-10-2009 6:43 PM by willowman. 26 replies.

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27/09/2009 10:31 PM
Cosmo Location: Joined on: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 15	Reply \| Contact I've just received my L2 course materials (distance learning) and made a start in the introductory module. I'm a bit miffed as I'm amazed at how I will learn all that I need to know from the texts to be successful in the exams. I've looked at past exam papers and they look far beyond the scope of the text I've received. Am I just worrying over nothing? Did you learn all you needed to be ok in the exams? I find it hard to just read and remember the key facts. How did/do you study? Make notes? Lengthy ones? Help!

27/09/2009 10:31 PM

Cosmo
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I've just received my L2 course materials (distance learning) and made a start in the introductory module.

I'm a bit miffed as I'm amazed at how I will learn all that I need to know from the texts to be successful in the exams. I've looked at past exam papers and they look far beyond the scope of the text I've received.

Am I just worrying over nothing? Did you learn all you needed to be ok in the exams?

I find it hard to just read and remember the key facts. How did/do you study? Make notes? Lengthy ones?

Help!

28/09/2009 06:29 AM	In reply to
squirrel Location: West Suffolk, almost Cambridgeshire Joined on: 28 Jul 2008 Posts: 51	Reply \| Contact Morning! I worked my way through the study notes and relevant books for my assignments, making sure I was aware what was asked in past exam papers and of the syllabus. I found highlighting better than taking notes as with taking notes you tend to duplicate information which is there anyway - but I guess that is personal preference. I found the assignments I had to do very useful when it came to the structured questions in the exam. For my revision I worked my way through the syllabus and past exam questions using an index card system making sure I covered as much as possible, finding plant examples for the different situations. I also thought that knowing what examiners expect in the exam is quite important. I must say that I used books much more than the study notes and used these only as a frame work. Using different books which explain the same thing in different ways also helped me to understand subjects which I didn't get to grips with the first time around. I really enjoyed my course but must say it was hard work and took over my life to a certain extend. Good luck - I hope you find a way to learn that suits you.

28/09/2009 06:29 AM

In reply to

squirrel
Location:
West Suffolk, almost Cambridgeshire
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28 Jul 2008
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Morning!

I worked my way through the study notes and relevant books for my assignments, making sure I was aware what was asked in past exam papers and of the syllabus. I found highlighting better than taking notes as with taking notes you tend to duplicate information which is there anyway - but I guess that is personal preference. I found the assignments I had to do very useful when it came to the structured questions in the exam.

For my revision I worked my way through the syllabus and past exam questions using an index card system making sure I covered as much as possible, finding plant examples for the different situations. I also thought that knowing what examiners expect in the exam is quite important.

I must say that I used books much more than the study notes and used these only as a frame work. Using different books which explain the same thing in different ways also helped me to understand subjects which I didn't get to grips with the first time around.

I really enjoyed my course but must say it was hard work and took over my life to a certain extend.

Good luck - I hope you find a way to learn that suits you.

28/09/2009 07:47 AM	In reply to
edenhendry Location: Yateley, Hampshire Joined on: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 42	Reply \| Contact Simple answer to this is to buy 'the red book'. A Handbook for Horticultural Students by Peter Dawson. It was written for the RHS level 2 syllabus and coveres everything you need, and is written in an easy to understand way, with diagrams. Great for revising before exams too. But, I also studied for 4-5 hours a week going through that weeks information. And then started revision about 6 weeks before the exams, doing 30-60mins revision each day. It is hard going, but it is worth it. But I remember being completely overwhelmed looking at past exam papers at the start of the course and thinking I was out of my depth! (And I'm a Science Graduate!) If you ever need any help with the course, just message us all on these boards and we'll be happy to help. Good luck and enjoy the course!

28/09/2009 07:47 AM

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edenhendry
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Yateley, Hampshire
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Simple answer to this is to buy 'the red book'. A Handbook for Horticultural Students by Peter Dawson. It was written for the RHS level 2 syllabus and coveres everything you need, and is written in an easy to understand way, with diagrams. Great for revising before exams too.

But, I also studied for 4-5 hours a week going through that weeks information. And then started revision about 6 weeks before the exams, doing 30-60mins revision each day.

It is hard going, but it is worth it. But I remember being completely overwhelmed looking at past exam papers at the start of the course and thinking I was out of my depth! (And I'm a Science Graduate!)

If you ever need any help with the course, just message us all on these boards and we'll be happy to help.

Good luck and enjoy the course!

28/09/2009 08:37 AM	In reply to
miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 2,976	Reply \| Contact A smaller book of the same type is Principles of Horticulture, edited by CR Adams et al. Each chapter has case studies, short and long questions and answers to the questions. I found that one useful, as was Capon's Botany for Gardeners, which is worth it for the illustrations. I agree, when I first looked at the old exam questions they looked really horrible, but once you get going and things start to settle in your mind, they're extremely helpful. As edenhendry said, if you need any help, just shout out here.

28/09/2009 08:37 AM

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miranda
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Oxfordshire
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A smaller book of the same type is Principles of Horticulture, edited by CR Adams et al. Each chapter has case studies, short and long questions and answers to the questions. I found that one useful, as was Capon's Botany for Gardeners, which is worth it for the illustrations.

I agree, when I first looked at the old exam questions they looked really horrible, but once you get going and things start to settle in your mind, they're extremely helpful.

As edenhendry said, if you need any help, just shout out here.

28/09/2009 06:32 PM	In reply to
squirrel Location: West Suffolk, almost Cambridgeshire Joined on: 28 Jul 2008 Posts: 51	Reply \| Contact Yep, I agree that there is plenty of help to be had on here. As for books: I got the 'Red Book' by Peter Dawson and am not a big fan. It gives you a fairly basic outline of what you need but is not really enough to gain an understanding of the topic I feel. Besides my study notes from the distance learning provider I chose were heavily based on the 'Red Book' and I therefore felt that I spent the money twice (obviously not Peter Dawson's fault...). However, I also found 'Botany for Gardeners' very useful and used 'Principles of Horticulture' a lot, although I found it full of mistakes (more spelling and punctuation than anything else but basically the editing is very poor). As for plants I found the RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening invaluable. However, none of the books completely cover the syllabus (incl. the 'Red Book') and it is worthwhile investing in two or three books. As edenhendry said: the syllabus and exams initially look daunting (and I also did science to University level) but if you put the effort in it is doable.

28/09/2009 06:32 PM

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squirrel
Location:
West Suffolk, almost Cambridgeshire
Joined on:
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Yep, I agree that there is plenty of help to be had on here.

As for books: I got the 'Red Book' by Peter Dawson and am not a big fan. It gives you a fairly basic outline of what you need but is not really enough to gain an understanding of the topic I feel. Besides my study notes from the distance learning provider I chose were heavily based on the 'Red Book' and I therefore felt that I spent the money twice (obviously not Peter Dawson's fault...).

However, I also found 'Botany for Gardeners' very useful and used 'Principles of Horticulture' a lot, although I found it full of mistakes (more spelling and punctuation than anything else but basically the editing is very poor). As for plants I found the RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening invaluable.

However, none of the books completely cover the syllabus (incl. the 'Red Book') and it is worthwhile investing in two or three books.

As edenhendry said: the syllabus and exams initially look daunting (and I also did science to University level) but if you put the effort in it is doable.

28/09/2009 09:34 PM	In reply to
Izzy123gym Location: Birmingham Joined on: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 4	Reply \| Contact Hi...I've just joined this site as I too have just started the Level 2 in Horticulture. I am hoping that I can "pick your brains" when it comes to study techniques, assignments etc as I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all at the moment, especially when I looked at previous exam papers! If there is anyone else doing level 2 who would be interested in keeping in touch re assignments etc, I would be very happy to do so! I am recently retired from teaching and wonder what on earth I have started! Cheers! Izzy123gym

28/09/2009 09:34 PM

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Izzy123gym
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Birmingham
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Hi...I've just joined this site as I too have just started the Level 2 in Horticulture. I am hoping that I can "pick your brains" when it comes to study techniques, assignments etc as I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all at the moment, especially when I looked at previous exam papers!

If there is anyone else doing level 2 who would be interested in keeping in touch re assignments etc, I would be very happy to do so!

I am recently retired from teaching and wonder what on earth I have started!

Cheers!

Izzy123gym

28/09/2009 10:34 PM	In reply to
Sarah H Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 1	Reply \| Contact I have just completed my L2 and passed the exams. I attended college once a week which was helpful but most of my learning was from the 'Red Book', the RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening and the Encyclopedia of Plants plus lots of practical experience in my own garden. I have no qualifications from my school years and found understanding what the examiners were asking for the most difficult thing and I wasnt the only one in my group. Towards the end of the year I spent quite a lot of time looking at past exam papers and reading the examiners remarks. That really helped. I will be happy to help if you would find it useful, please just ask. I may not be able to answer your questions but just some encouragement may help. I am just about to embark on L3 and am a bit nervous but 'he who dares wins'!

28/09/2009 10:34 PM

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Sarah H
Location:
Oxfordshire
Joined on:
14 Sep 2009
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1

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I have just completed my L2 and passed the exams. I attended college once a week which was helpful but most of my learning was from the 'Red Book', the RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening and the Encyclopedia of Plants plus lots of practical experience in my own garden. I have no qualifications from my school years and found understanding what the examiners were asking for the most difficult thing and I wasnt the only one in my group. Towards the end of the year I spent quite a lot of time looking at past exam papers and reading the examiners remarks. That really helped.

I will be happy to help if you would find it useful, please just ask. I may not be able to answer your questions but just some encouragement may help.

I am just about to embark on L3 and am a bit nervous but 'he who dares wins'!

29/09/2009 07:11 AM	In reply to
ErWe Location: Vienna, Austria Joined on: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 48	Reply \| Contact I worked more or less the same way as squirrel. During the course going by the (in my case extensive) course notes, highlighting stuff, commenting, or noting cross references to other parts, editing duplicate information (helps too!) etc. Used the net a lot for additional information. For revision I used these books: 'Science in the Garden' (very good), 'Principles of Horticulture' (good, esp. on explanations), the Red Book, and the course notes (which really covered everything relevant re the syllabus!). The Red Book I changed to kinda main manual i.e. I supplemented relevant stuff not in there - it's covered in scribling now. I prepared Excel tables for compost mixtures, nutrients and -deficiencies, pests & diseases, feeding, and not the least, varieties (which are, of course, other ones as here in Austria, so mostly new for me) and so forth. Examiners comments on past exam papers is exceedingly helpful. regards, r.w.

29/09/2009 07:11 AM

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ErWe
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Vienna, Austria
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I worked more or less the same way as squirrel.

During the course going by the (in my case extensive) course notes, highlighting stuff, commenting, or noting cross references to other parts, editing duplicate information (helps too!) etc. Used the net a lot for additional information.

For revision I used these books: 'Science in the Garden' (very good), 'Principles of Horticulture' (good, esp. on explanations), the Red Book, and the course notes (which really covered everything relevant re the syllabus!).

The Red Book I changed to kinda main manual i.e. I supplemented relevant stuff not in there - it's covered in scribling now.

I prepared Excel tables for compost mixtures, nutrients and -deficiencies, pests & diseases, feeding, and not the least, varieties (which are, of course, other ones as here in Austria, so mostly new for me) and so forth.

Examiners comments on past exam papers is exceedingly helpful.

regards, r.w.

29/09/2009 09:25 AM	In reply to
RogerBee Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Joined on: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 84	Reply \| Contact I'm just over halfway through a distance learning course (about to submit assignment 7 of the 12 that I need to do). The course 'text book' is Principles of Horticulture that I have found quite readily digestible but I usually have to read it twice, since it was over 30 years since I'd done any studying it take a lot to get things to stick in my mind. For that reason I have been reading each module course notes 3 times, then going through with a pencil and underlining the bits I feel are most important. Then I read them through again afterwards before putting them to one side and attempting the course assignment without referring back to them, or as little as possible - highliighting what I needed to refer back for 'extra' revision. Once I finished reading the 6th module (halfway point) I reread module 1, after 7 I read 2 and once I get through module 8 I wll reread module 3. I'm hoping that in this way I won't completely forget everything by the time I get to the end of the last module. I have a 50 minute train journey ,twice a day, so average about 30-40 minutes a day reading / drafting answers - about 2 1/2 to 3 hours a week but design work has tyo wait until I have a firm surface to work on at home and this has slowed my progress down recently. As far as exam questions are concerned - I looked at the style of past questions but won't worry about the content until I come to revise. They will then form the basis of the way I structure and prioritise my revision. Whether or not it all works? - I'll found out once I get my results next April, from the February exams Give it a go - it might just work!

29/09/2009 09:25 AM

In reply to

RogerBee
Location:
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Joined on:
14 Jan 2009
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84

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I'm just over halfway through a distance learning course (about to submit assignment 7 of the 12 that I need to do). The course 'text book' is Principles of Horticulture that I have found quite readily digestible but I usually have to read it twice, since it was over 30 years since I'd done any studying it take a lot to get things to stick in my mind. For that reason I have been reading each module course notes 3 times, then going through with a pencil and underlining the bits I feel are most important. Then I read them through again afterwards before putting them to one side and attempting the course assignment without referring back to them, or as little as possible - highliighting what I needed to refer back for 'extra' revision.

Once I finished reading the 6th module (halfway point) I reread module 1, after 7 I read 2 and once I get through module 8 I wll reread module 3. I'm hoping that in this way I won't completely forget everything by the time I get to the end of the last module.

I have a 50 minute train journey ,twice a day, so average about 30-40 minutes a day reading / drafting answers - about 2 1/2 to 3 hours a week but design work has tyo wait until I have a firm surface to work on at home and this has slowed my progress down recently.

As far as exam questions are concerned - I looked at the style of past questions but won't worry about the content until I come to revise. They will then form the basis of the way I structure and prioritise my revision.

Whether or not it all works? - I'll found out once I get my results next April, from the February exams

Give it a go - it might just work!

29/09/2009 11:00 AM	In reply to
Izzy123gym Location: Birmingham Joined on: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 4	Reply \| Contact Gosh! You are all so organised! I think my brain is rebelling after teaching for 30 years! I need to be more organised..in thought and deed by the look of it! I am still on Module 1 with Learning Curve as the provider. I have the Principles of Horticulture as part of that package and have just ordered the Red Book. I have a question on nutrients in/out of the garden to answer on Module 1 and I am not too sure that I understand it totally, especially OUT of the garden! I will take up any offers of help/support/chat with grateful thanks! Izzy123gym

29/09/2009 11:00 AM

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Izzy123gym
Location:
Birmingham
Joined on:
28 Sep 2009
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4

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Gosh! You are all so organised! I think my brain is rebelling after teaching for 30 years! I need to be more organised..in thought and deed by the look of it!

I am still on Module 1 with Learning Curve as the provider. I have the Principles of Horticulture as part of that package and have just ordered the Red Book. I have a question on nutrients in/out of the garden to answer on Module 1 and I am not too sure that I understand it totally, especially OUT of the garden!

I will take up any offers of help/support/chat with grateful thanks!

Izzy123gym

01/10/2009 12:39 PM	In reply to
willowman Location: Brittany, France Joined on: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 17	Reply \| Contact Hi, I am just starting out on L2 with Learning Curve too. I really want to get on with this so if you feel we might be able to encourage/help one another then do get in touch. I completed Assignment 1 some time ago, since then l have just finished building a large extension to our house so studying took a back seat. Assignment 2 is on the table ready to read! Off to work now but drop us a line if you are interested.

01/10/2009 12:39 PM

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willowman
Location:
Brittany, France
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25 Oct 2007
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Hi, I am just starting out on L2 with Learning Curve too. I really want to get on with this so if you feel we might be able to encourage/help one another then do get in touch. I completed Assignment 1 some time ago, since then l have just finished building a large extension to our house so studying took a back seat. Assignment 2 is on the table ready to read!

Off to work now but drop us a line if you are interested.

11/10/2009 02:49 PM	In reply to
GardeningFin Location: East London Joined on: 23 May 2009 Posts: 39	Reply \| Contact Hi there, I've just started an RHS L2 course and suddenly have had to get to grips with learning again. I found this short video about "Learning about how to learn" on YouTube which was useful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8klKdhNop8 The guy who posted this video, also has an excellent collection of videos on basic botany which I've found very helpful over the last few weeks: http://www.youtube.com/user/bozemanbiology Kind regards Fin

11/10/2009 02:49 PM

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GardeningFin
Location:
East London
Joined on:
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39

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Hi there,

I've just started an RHS L2 course and suddenly have had to get to grips with learning again.

I found this short video about "Learning about how to learn" on YouTube which was useful:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8klKdhNop8

The guy who posted this video, also has an excellent collection of videos on basic botany which I've found very helpful over the last few weeks:
http://www.youtube.com/user/bozemanbiology

Kind regards

Fin

11/10/2009 05:56 PM	In reply to
willowman Location: Brittany, France Joined on: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 17	Reply \| Contact Thanks Fin. I will have a look at that as l need all the help l can get! I can see you have found us on Facebook so look forward to your contributions. Who are you with? How are you finding it all at the moment? Nearly finished Module 2 but it is VERY hard going! Good luck and speak again soon.

11/10/2009 05:56 PM

In reply to

willowman
Location:
Brittany, France
Joined on:
25 Oct 2007
Posts:
17

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Thanks Fin. I will have a look at that as l need all the help l can get! I can see you have found us on Facebook so look forward to your contributions. Who are you with? How are you finding it all at the moment? Nearly finished Module 2 but it is VERY hard going! Good luck and speak again soon.

11/10/2009 08:36 PM	In reply to
GardeningFin Location: East London Joined on: 23 May 2009 Posts: 39	Reply \| Contact Hi Willowman. I'm doing an evening course through Greenwich Community College. So far it has been very good - yep, a lot to take in, especially after a long day at work and having to make time over the week to read, take notes and study, but I am enjoying it. It is very intensive being less than a year course! Today I felt a little overwhelmed, but I think it will all sink in. I'm more concerned about having practical experience. I'm using the Peter Dawson book as a basic benchmark for the detail I NEED to know in order to pass and then fleshing it out by reading other bits and pieces.I downloaded a free flash card programme today which I think will be helpful for memorising definitions. Good luck and let me know how you get on.

11/10/2009 08:36 PM

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GardeningFin
Location:
East London
Joined on:
23 May 2009
Posts:
39

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Hi Willowman. I'm doing an evening course through Greenwich Community College. So far it has been very good - yep, a lot to take in, especially after a long day at work and having to make time over the week to read, take notes and study, but I am enjoying it. It is very intensive being less than a year course! Today I felt a little overwhelmed, but I think it will all sink in. I'm more concerned about having practical experience.

I'm using the Peter Dawson book as a basic benchmark for the detail I NEED to know in order to pass and then fleshing it out by reading other bits and pieces.I downloaded a free flash card programme today which I think will be helpful for memorising definitions.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

11/10/2009 08:45 PM	In reply to
willowman Location: Brittany, France Joined on: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 17	Reply \| Contact Less than a year!!!! WOW! Good luck. Maybe that's the best way....just go for it. I had just started using Notepad in Office 2007 to make notes to jog my memeory but the flash card system sounds good. Which one do you use? Stay in touch.

11/10/2009 08:45 PM

In reply to

willowman
Location:
Brittany, France
Joined on:
25 Oct 2007
Posts:
17

Reply | Contact

Less than a year!!!! WOW! Good luck. Maybe that's the best way....just go for it.

I had just started using Notepad in Office 2007 to make notes to jog my memeory but the flash card system sounds good. Which one do you use? Stay in touch.

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