OU Students Past, Present and Future

bestpud

Jewelleryfan wrote: »

Thanks that's a good idea to aim for

I'm starting to feel a bit freaked out and wondering if I can actually do it. I've worked in childcare for about 10 years but never anything to do with health and social care and I'm starting to panic that I won't be able to do it. The lady said you need to spend about 16 hours a week studying and it will probably average as one tutor assignment a month plus the online ones too. I just hope I will be able to handle it, I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed and it hasn't even started yet :eek:

K101 is a very gradual introduction to HE so don't worry.

Check out Facebook as there will probably be a support group on there and the OU have an online support forum for the module too.

You will find tutor support varies enormously with the OU so dont expect your tutor to do all they say they will in the course info! If they do it's a bonus but many don't, so make friends with others on the course so you have support when the going gets tough - it does for everyone at some point!

It's a good course though and lots if students on it haven't studied for years - it's written with that in mind.

One point - I believe they are dropping the group project from the Feb 2012 intake. From experience, I'd say wait if it means you won't need to do the project! It's a bit of a nightmare if you are stuck with reluctant students, many of whom are rarely on online enough to get the work done. They've dropped it because of negative feedback, no doubt, as I know there were a lot of very angry/upset/anxious students on FB and the K101 forum at that time!

Feel free to pm if you want any more info.

bestpud

LadyMorticia wrote: »

I really want to do a degree in English Literature but the prospect of exams scares me a bit. I have M.E and severe anxiety so I don't know how I'd cope with exams, either physically or mentally/emotionally. I know that certain measures can be put in place to help people who have disabilities but I'm not sure if I started a degree how I'd go about asking. =/

The student support dept is fantastic at the OU so don't worry.

They arranged a time to call and spent a long while going over the options with me. Just make sure you tick that you need extra support as lots can be done without needing to apply for DSA.

I am sure you'd be eligible for DSA though so I'd apply for it in your shoes.

Zingy

Jewelleryfan wrote: »

Thanks that's a good idea to aim for

I'm starting to feel a bit freaked out and wondering if I can actually do it. I've worked in childcare for about 10 years but never anything to do with health and social care and I'm starting to panic that I won't be able to do it. The lady said you need to spend about 16 hours a week studying and it will probably average as one tutor assignment a month plus the online ones too. I just hope I will be able to handle it, I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed and it hasn't even started yet :eek:

K101 is a fairly straightforward course to do and doesn't take up that much time. I was studying a 30 point course along side it and managed fine, at one point I was studying those two courses plus another 60 point one. I won't be doing that again!! I also work full time.

I have to agree with bestpud about the group project. That part of the course was absolute hell!

Good luck with it.

mum2one

bestpud wrote: »

The student support dept is fantastic at the OU so don't worry.

They arranged a time to call and spent a long while going over the options with me. Just make sure you tick that you need extra support as lots can be done without needing to apply for DSA.

I am sure you'd be eligible for DSA though so I'd apply for it in your shoes.

def agree with bestpud re the DSA, they were absolutely brilliant when I first spoke to them, the support is brilliant and they tailor the help so that it is relevant to you.
For myself, they upgraded my computer grant so I could get a laptop, (going back 5 yrs ago, when £600 was lowest price), and exams I don't go to the normal venue, I do mine locally on a 1 to 1 basis, and get 30min break. What ever your needs are the OU will do everything they can to help.
Also agree re other comments about tutors, I've done 9 courses, and have only had 1 tutor who literally did the bare minimum, whereas one tutor I couldn't fault, one night he spent about 3 hrs going throu a tma as I'd had a mental block. xx

Gemmzie

I do my exams at home - get a rest break if needed and extra time, plus I do it on my laptop via Dragon.

JoKay_2

Hello all

I'm hoping for a bit of advice from you seasoned OUers out there!!

I've considered OU for years now, but didn't ever have the courage (or money!) to sign up for a course. I find it quite difficult to finish things I start, as I usually get bored or want to move onto the next thing, and I think this holds me back...

At the age of 43, I think I'd like to become a teacher, but am aware that it will take me several years to get there - which instantly puts me off. Not only that, but I'm not sure what to specialise in - I really liked French when at school 25 years ago, but some of the science modules look really interesting too.

I guess I'm scared of putting time and money into a course which won't benefit me over the longer term - although I understand that any learning I do will benefit me in terms of planning & study skills.

Thanks in advance for any ideas / advice / suggestions!

robnye

why dont you try one of the openings courses -

i was like you, wanted to but never started, so i have just finished Y162 - maths
not looking to do a degree to further my career, i'm more interested in studying what ever takes my fancy

mum2one

def agree with the openings course, as your not commited to a large study course, and its like dipping your toe in, I did Y159 understanding mgt, - business course, but was good, still like the look of other opening courses.

flea72

JoKay wrote: »

Hello all

I'm hoping for a bit of advice from you seasoned OUers out there!!

I've considered OU for years now, but didn't ever have the courage (or money!) to sign up for a course. I find it quite difficult to finish things I start, as I usually get bored or want to move onto the next thing, and I think this holds me back...

At the age of 43, I think I'd like to become a teacher, but am aware that it will take me several years to get there - which instantly puts me off. Not only that, but I'm not sure what to specialise in - I really liked French when at school 25 years ago, but some of the science modules look really interesting too.

I guess I'm scared of putting time and money into a course which won't benefit me over the longer term - although I understand that any learning I do will benefit me in terms of planning & study skills.

Thanks in advance for any ideas / advice / suggestions!

before deciding on a subject to specialise in, you need to already hold decent grades in the base subjects of maths and english

if you dont hold at least a GCSE grade C (gained within last 3yrs) in both these (plus a science if you want to teach at primary level), then you are quite a way off starting an OU course

it costs about £300 to study and sit each GCSE exam (unless you are in receipt of certain benefits, then its more like £15+exam fee)

once you have your GCSEs, then the next step is usually free if you havent already studied at Level 3

F

Mullhon2

Another one to add to list...

Mullhon2 {Nikki} - U122 Make Your Experience count (Fell behind due to MH problems but ECA submitted a month early Yay!:j) None, A215 in Oct 2011, Hoping for BA / BSc Open Degree with honours