New here & just started studying RHs lvl2

Last post 13-06-2010 12:52 PM by Stuart. 11 replies.

• 28/04/2010 10:58 PM

  Stuart Location: Berkshire Joined on: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 10

  Reply | Contact Hi all, I'm Stu, and I've just (beginning of April) enrolled on the RHS level 2 Certificate in Horticulture with the HCC. It's been a while since I've done any studying, and doing things the hard way (distance learning) is certainly new for me, although I am no stranger to the course subject... I've already got a BTEC national Diploma in Horticulture (I passed in 1998), but I've decided to embark on the RHS courses to refresh and increase my understanding and progress professionally (I'm starting at level 2 and fully intend to progress through to the masters... eventually!). I seem to be a bit rusty on the internal plant structures/botany side of things, and from looking at the "sample answers" to the questions given by the HCC I appear to have to do quite a bit of external reading in order to get a pass on their coursework, let alone passing the exam!  Has anyone else found this too? What are your thoughts on the course so far (with the HCC)? What's the assignment feedback like from tutors? Any other helpful info would be appreciated too! And if I can assist you guys I'll do my best! :)  Stu

• 30/04/2010 08:13 PM

  In reply to

  richardpeeej Location: Leicestershire Joined on: 22 May 2009 Posts: 3,498

  Reply | Contact Hi Stu and welcome from me. Not sure if this is of any use to you but I did a quick search on the internet as your last sentence says .."Any other helpful info would be appreciated too!" If this is the right course at least it tells you what is on the syllabus, but maybe you already know this. http://www.hccollege.co.uk/courseInformation.asp?courseRef=RHSAC1 Good luck with your course ! Richard -Richard

• 01/05/2010 10:29 AM	In reply to
  Stuart Location: Berkshire Joined on: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Hi Richard, Thanks for the info. That's the advanced cert by the look of it, which I've pre-orderd with the HCC (should've stuck with just the level 2 certificate for now as it seems to be a bit more indepth than i'd anticipated- this is a good thing in my opinion!) Have a good weekend and "Good gardening" as Eric Robson would say!  Stu

• 02/05/2010 05:34 PM

  In reply to

  Surreykiwi Location: surrey Joined on: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7

  Reply | Contact Hi, I too am studing for the RHS level 2 by distance learning with the college of learning. I am totally new to horticulture.  I downloaded all the past exams last night and panicked a bit cause there was words/stuff i'd never heardd of!!!!  I have only a few months worth of my course to go........I went to the RHS library at Wisley today and picked up a book called 'A Handbook for Horticultural Students ' By Peter Dawson which is meant to be the difinative book for students studying for the level 2 exam.........And It is all pretty basic stuff, I would recommend trying to get a copy as it would let you know how indepth you need to go. Who are you studying with??HCC?? Cheers

• 03/05/2010 02:10 PM

  In reply to

  Stuart Location: Berkshire Joined on: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 10

  Reply | Contact Good luck kiwi! Yeah, I've started study with the hcc... attempting to get through the first assignment at the moment. After reading through the sample answers, I'm pretty overwhelmed by what they expect (I'm pretty sure the RHS wouldn't expect that much detail in an hour and a half would they?!). Still, I'll do my best. The Peter Dawson book is a really good start. As is Principles of Horticulture by C.R. Adams et al. Also, loathed as i am to admit it, wikipedia is your friend... Once you cut through all of the "too technical" bits, the info on cells and tissues is actually about as accurate as the study notes are and in some cases more succinct. And, even though it might not seem like it, studying horticulture without previous knowledge is probably the best way to do it. Atleast you won't have picked up any bad habits! How have you found the HCC in general kiwi? Stu

• 03/05/2010 05:09 PM	In reply to
  Surreykiwi Location: surrey Joined on: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7	Reply | Contact Hi again,  My previous reply was misleading....I am studying thru distance learning but a different college....but yours looks pretty academically focused.  I picked the college i'm with because it looked idiot friendly!  What is your first question?  I might be able to give some suggestions. kiwi

• 04/05/2010 09:13 PM

  In reply to

  Stuart Location: Berkshire Joined on: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 10

  Reply | Contact This isn't what i'd call academic really. Just a lot of information from what i remember from 12+ years ago!  I've got to do 2 questions out of a possible 4. I've chosen a question on cell structure and plant tissues, and one on flower structure. The other two are on nomenclature (I have enough knowledge that just a brief refreshment of terms etc is all thats needed really) and ploidy in top fruit *YAWN*! Then there are 8 short answer questions which cover all parts of plant science 1 and all need to be answered.  It looks like the hcc have structured their questions to be similar to an RHS exam layout. Which is a good idea. I'd have nearly got the assignment finished except my flash drive went and did something wrong and lost all of the documents on there. Take some advice: back up, back up, BACK UP! Good luck with your course. How are your assignments set out? Have you attempted any past RHS exams yet?

• 06/05/2010 10:15 AM

  In reply to

  Surreykiwi Location: surrey Joined on: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7

  Reply | Contact hi there, haven't attempted the exams yet, am stuck tring to do an assignment on water. - the problem I have is deciding how much detail to go into and how much you should assume as common knowledge and not meantion - has been the downfall in a few assignments.  It does sound good how your course assignments are structured. We do have so assignments that are meant to be done under 'Exam conditions' but who is going to really do this and potentially lose points!!!!  will save the rhs exams for my revision i think. good luck with your assignment - the first one is always the worst. kiwi

• 06/05/2010 10:18 PM

  In reply to

  Stuart Location: Berkshire Joined on: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 10

  Reply | Contact Thanks I'm trying to keep things fairly straightforward in this first assignment, using the hcc sample answers as a template for the layout. The information is whatever notes I made from the books (keywords, definitions etc) and further reading from "the red book", "principles of horticulture", t'internet, a few other books, and my own dwindling memory. I've not even dared to look at the rhs exams yet, I've got too much on with the assignment and the study in general! (not to mention work...)  I've always found that the best way with assignments is to assume that the reader knows nothing. But that does depend an awful lot on the subject matter. Good luck! Stu

• 28/05/2010 04:22 PM	In reply to
  Stuart Location: Berkshire Joined on: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Got my assignment back today from the tutor with marks...  100%, 80/80!! YAY!

• 30/05/2010 10:29 PM	In reply to
  Surreykiwi Location: surrey Joined on: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7	Reply | Contact congratulations! up...up.... and onwards! whats your next module about? kiwi

• 13/06/2010 12:52 PM	In reply to
  Stuart Location: Berkshire Joined on: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Next module is Scientific horticulture 2. Covers lifecylcles, phtosynthesis, respiration, transpiration/ movement of water & minerals, seed germination and plant growth/ development. I'm about half way through. need to get cracking as I've lagged behind a little due to an increased workload :(... How's it going your end?