BBKA Module 1- Honey Bee Management
So after finding out I passed my first module I'd caught the learning and exam bug, I'm a geek and I love it! I'd already made the decision that if I passed I would teach myself Module1- Honey bee Management so I could sit it in the November of 2019 so this is what I did.
Now teaching yourself is hard, as is finding the motivation and the time between a job and summer beekeeping. I wouldn't recommend a difficult module to study in the summer. I say that like I know which ones are hard but I have no idea! I decided on M1 as I'd read somewhere it was just like an extended written basic exam which it was really. It's a solid foundation in beekeeping, hive types and the 'right' way of doing things. I say this because I find there are a million ways to do everything and everyone does something different. I should also tell you that I have never had any formal training in beekeeping or been on a beekeeping course, my dad taught me what I know and I've expanded on that through the basic exam and these modules.
In comparison with M2 I found the content of this one a little boring as it was things I didn't learn anything new really. It was all things I knew or had an awareness of but it was good to refresh knowledge on the basics and I would probably say a good exam to try first if you're new to all this as much of it I would think is covered in a beekeeping course, this is just in more detail.
My association ran 2 mini study evenings where those that had taught themselves got to run through the syllabus with two members of the education team- this was invaluable. They had so much knowledge to share it really took my studying up a level. I'll do a post on how I study and revise as my fellow beeks (beekeeping geeks) found it really useful and have stolen the 'Sonia Study Book' idea!
I was flustered for this exam, I arrived later than I would have liked, I moved to a new town around Easter and didn't really know the traffic on a Saturday morning to the hall, although there was a cup of tea waiting for me which was just what I needed! Again I didn't struggle for time in this exam but felt like I was writing for eternity and I didn't have as much free time as the last one. My biggest tip is not overlook the things you think you know in revision as a lot of time was spent doubting myself on things I knew but hadn't looked at again.
Six weeks later I found out I'd passed with a credit, I was so proud as I had done this mainly by myself and it felt like a real achievement and a boost knowing that I can make myself learn!
I used quite a few books for this one:
The BBKA guide to Beekeeping by Davis and Cullum-Kenyon- a good starter book and I found this useful to know the BBKA's take on things, after all it is their exams. I don't actually own this book I probably should get a copy but it is one that you can easily find in most libraries. Also would make a great gift for a new beekeeper
The Honey Bee Inside and Out by Celia Davis- again like it's counterpart one of the best books I've read
Bees at the Bottom of the Garden by Alan Campion- this is the book I learnt from along side my dads teaching so for me it's one of my favourites
Guide to Bees and Honey by Ted Hooper
Practical Beekeeping by Clive de Bruyn
What I learnt is practically every book on beekeeping useful here! Although the Study notes I picked up once, felt it was too heavy and complicated and never touched it again for this module!
Now teaching yourself is hard, as is finding the motivation and the time between a job and summer beekeeping. I wouldn't recommend a difficult module to study in the summer. I say that like I know which ones are hard but I have no idea! I decided on M1 as I'd read somewhere it was just like an extended written basic exam which it was really. It's a solid foundation in beekeeping, hive types and the 'right' way of doing things. I say this because I find there are a million ways to do everything and everyone does something different. I should also tell you that I have never had any formal training in beekeeping or been on a beekeeping course, my dad taught me what I know and I've expanded on that through the basic exam and these modules.
In comparison with M2 I found the content of this one a little boring as it was things I didn't learn anything new really. It was all things I knew or had an awareness of but it was good to refresh knowledge on the basics and I would probably say a good exam to try first if you're new to all this as much of it I would think is covered in a beekeeping course, this is just in more detail.
My association ran 2 mini study evenings where those that had taught themselves got to run through the syllabus with two members of the education team- this was invaluable. They had so much knowledge to share it really took my studying up a level. I'll do a post on how I study and revise as my fellow beeks (beekeeping geeks) found it really useful and have stolen the 'Sonia Study Book' idea!
I was flustered for this exam, I arrived later than I would have liked, I moved to a new town around Easter and didn't really know the traffic on a Saturday morning to the hall, although there was a cup of tea waiting for me which was just what I needed! Again I didn't struggle for time in this exam but felt like I was writing for eternity and I didn't have as much free time as the last one. My biggest tip is not overlook the things you think you know in revision as a lot of time was spent doubting myself on things I knew but hadn't looked at again.
Six weeks later I found out I'd passed with a credit, I was so proud as I had done this mainly by myself and it felt like a real achievement and a boost knowing that I can make myself learn!
I used quite a few books for this one:
 |
| some of the books I used for this module |
The BBKA guide to Beekeeping by Davis and Cullum-Kenyon- a good starter book and I found this useful to know the BBKA's take on things, after all it is their exams. I don't actually own this book I probably should get a copy but it is one that you can easily find in most libraries. Also would make a great gift for a new beekeeper
The Honey Bee Inside and Out by Celia Davis- again like it's counterpart one of the best books I've read
Bees at the Bottom of the Garden by Alan Campion- this is the book I learnt from along side my dads teaching so for me it's one of my favourites
Guide to Bees and Honey by Ted Hooper
Practical Beekeeping by Clive de Bruyn
What I learnt is practically every book on beekeeping useful here! Although the Study notes I picked up once, felt it was too heavy and complicated and never touched it again for this module!
Comments
Post a Comment