R.H.S. General cert.

[cookie]

When we decided to change our hectic lifestyle,downshift, and enjoy life,yours truly decided to gain a qualification in horticulture.(just in case, you understand) Is there anyone else out there doing the r.h.s. general?  i am sinking fast, its all botany and stuff. all the other students are ex teachers, and very intense. WHY DID I DO IT!!!!!

[cookie]

[Mrs Ava]

Have a sneaky feeling this is what my sister is currently doing and she sits her exams next week.

You did it in a moment of gardening drunkardness, but I am sure you will succeed and come out the other end with your certificate.  ;D

[tim]

If you want it, you'll get it!

[Svea]

hang in there.
you will need to understand a lot about botanics and also some about biology and chemistry - it's part of the background knowledge for a course like this.

even GPs have had to disect a body in their time ;)
take it slowly bit surely and you'll get there

all the best
svea

[newchangeling]

Hi Cookie,

Sounds like you're feeling a bit overwhelmed with it all and as if you've hit a wall!

One of the hardest things about learning that I have experienced both as a student and now that I teach adults is that learning anything involves us really recognising what we don't know (sorry if this sounds clicheed) and that usually means we end up feeling pretty crap.  The chances are that if you're feeling de-skilled and intimidated that it's because you are taking something in and learning - even though what you might be most aware of is how much of a struggle it feels.  It's all about balance of course - learning shouldn't be torture, you should be able to have fun as well.

I'd also be very surprised if the others doing the course don't feel some of this at times as well - even if they don't show it.

Do you have a tutor you can talk to about this? You might find it helpful to let him/her know how you're feeling.  I'm sure you can't be the first person who started the course only to then start to feel out of their depth, and the tutor should be able to give help you with anything that you're struggling with.

All the best for it - keep letting us know how you get on.

Clare

[nikkrud]

I'm not doing the RHS certificate, but I am struggling my way through a Foundation Degree in Horticulture at college, whilst trying to work full time and run the home etc.

I often feel like you, and have been very tempted to give it all up several times, but I just remind myself the reason that I am doing it in the first place. Although this doesn't make the work any easier, it does help me to rationalise.

I am particularly bad at botany, and have found that by looking at 'A' level and GCSE revision books and getting an understanding at the lower level, I can then attempt to learn the higher level stuff by building on what I have learned.

If there is anything I can help you with, please ask.

Kind regards
Nikk

[Ceratonia]

I'm doing the RHS General exam this Wednesday. Been most enjoyable, although revising for exams brings back some unpleasant memories and I'll be glad when the exams are over.

My class is a real mixture of people - some professional 'gardeners' who've struggled with the botany/soil science/genetics stuff, couple of people from local nurseries through to some Cambridge PhD types, with a fair sprinkling of downshifter types.

If you look at the syllabus, it looks like it's mostly science, but the actual exam papers tend to concentrate on the practical side, with the long questions in particular tending to concentrate on veg, fruit, pest & disease, ornamental plants etc.

I've been typing my notes into the PC as we've gone along. Sounds like it might be useful if I published them on the web somewhere. Maybe I'll wait and see if I actually pass first  ;)

[wardy]

Please stick at it cookie as we need you to pass so we can pick your brains when you become an hexpert  ;D

[Mrs Ava]

My sis has her exam tomorrow!  eeekkk!  Good luck to you too Ceratonia, and anyone else who is doing it and not letting on.

[undercarriage plan]

I did the RHS General last year, found it incredibly boring ,really interesting and learnt loads and covered stuff I already knew. The exam wasn't too bad and I'm really pleased I did it. I've just started up my own gardening business having stayed at home for 12 years to look after 4 short people, and life is good! Stick to it,  you will reap the benefits. Anyway, it's the middle of winter (!) what else are you going to do?! ;D

[loz]

Stick with it cookie.  I did it  two years ago, and you'll be surprised by the amount of information that you retain.

My tutor was dreadful, and I must admit that I did think that I wouldn't pass.

But ;)

I found it useful to bombard classmates with questions and answers in break times and at the occasional get together in the pub after lessons.

Loz

[TULIP-23]

Cookie 8)

Hang in there it will be well worth it
at the END::::::::::::::::::::you ´ll see 8)

Anyway Good Luck ;)

[cookie]

Thanks for all the moral support all you good people, I think I must have hit a sticky patch, went into college today and had a really enjoyable time. i don"t take my exam until next March, but several people on my course decided to take the exam early. We all had a good look at the 2nd paper that they brought in today, not too bad. Fingers crossed for all of you who did the exam yesterday, what are you going to do next? p.s. other half( Barrie) has done the C&G in horticulture, level one, and has passed all the papers with distinction!!!(Clever clogs)

[Ceratonia]

What am I going to do next? Wait to see if I pass!

The exam papers were a bit odd, I thought. Most of the questions were word for word copies from previous year's papers - wish I'd spent more time answering past questions.

In terms of what course to do next, some of us who took the exam were discussing that.  The RHS advanced certificate is the logical thing to do next, but it's usually offered as a 1-day a week course rather than an evening class. The BBC are trialling a 'Neighbourhood Gardener' scheme which combines the RHS General with a course on voluntary work, so some people were thinking of doing that. Some people were talking about Garden Design courses and one lady was looking into a Diploma in Garden History programme that Cambridge University runs in the evening.

One nice thing about the RHS having the exam in early March is it leaves your spring and summer free to do some actual gardenning!