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Experience tends to show that students who approach their studies in a systematic and organized way are more likely to complete their courses successfully than those who do not. Therefore, we strongly advise that you follow a study schedule to assist you in organizing your time and scheduling your progress.

The following timeline is suggested to help you organize your study activities and complete the course in about nineteen weeks. As you complete each activity, check it off so that you will know it is done, and so that you can actually see the progress you are making in the course. You may, of course, proceed more quickly, or more slowly, than is suggested. However, you must complete the course within six months of your “start date” (see the Athabasca University Calendar for details).

Road to Athabasca

Week

Activity

1

Read this Student Manual carefully, and look over the other course materials.

Read Annie Dillard's The Writing Life and Chapter 1: “The Writing Process” in The Canadian Practical Stylist.

 

2-3

Reread the section in this Student Manual on the requirements for the Expository Essay and read the assigned textbook readings.

Call your tutor, if he or she has not already called you.

 

4

Complete Essay 1 and mail it to your tutor for evaluation and comments. Be sure to include a tutor-marked exercise form with your completed assignment.

 

5-6

Reread the section in this Student Manual on the Comparison and Contrast Essay, and read the assigned textbook readings.

 

7

Call your tutor if you have any difficulty or if you wish to discuss Essay 1, which should have been returned to you.

Call your tutor to discuss the requirements for
Essay 2, which are explained in this Student Manual.

 

8

Complete Essay 2 and mail it to your tutor for evaluation and comments. Be sure to include a tutor-marked exercise form with your completed assignment.

 

9-10

Reread the section in this Student Manual on the Persuasive Essay, and read the assigned textbook readings.

 

11-12

Complete Essay 3 and mail it to your tutor for evaluation and comments. Be sure to include a tutor-marked exercise form with your completed assignment.

 

13-14

Reread the section in this Student Manual on the Contemplative Essay, and read the assigned
textbook readings.

Call your tutor to discuss the requirements for
Essay 4, which are explained in this Student Manual.
You may also wish to discuss possible topics for
your essay.

 

15

Complete Essay 4 and mail it to your tutor for evaluation and comments. Be sure to include a tutor-marked exercise form with your completed assignment.

 

16-17

Reread the section in this Student Manual on the Research and Analysis Essay, and read the assigned textbook readings.

 

18-19

Call your tutor to discuss the requirements for
Essay 5, which are explained in this Student Manual.

Complete Essay 5 and mail it to your tutor for evaluation and comments. Be sure to include a tutor-marked exercise form with your completed assignment.