OU Students Past, Present and Future

mum2one

~*Plushroom*~ wrote: »

Honestly, I would suggest that unless it is compulsory to the degree you may want to do (like it is for me) that it isn't a good choice. I have nothing against the course material, the books are fantastic, very varied topics that cover a little of everything. And I had a great tutor. But the assignments are vague to say the least, even the tutors agreed with our complaints that they were too vague making it difficult to do even if you read every word and did every activity.

To get a true look at what it is like I'd say go onto facebook and have a look at the two groups for dd101 starting January 2010. Most people feel the same way as me on it but you'll get a better view from everyone - they're all very nice (even if we have been spying on the October 2010 group and giggling a bit at a few things!).

If the course team have taken on board our issues with the course then it could be better, but I doubt it I'm afraid. Hate to be the bearer of bad news but honestly I wish someone had warned me so I could have been prepared.

I started Dd101 back in 2008, I did the 1st 2 assisgnments and chucked the course in, it was awful, I had he option of recommencing at that point at the next presentation, but I never took it up. Its one of the most hated courses, along with BU130. xx

Indie_Kid

mum2one wrote: »

The studying doesn't have to be done in 1 x 8hr slot, usually a weeks work is broken up into sections

This was the plan - to do something like 4 days of 4 hours or something. (recommended hours per week for T215)

Raksha

Does anyone think the OU will become even more popular with young students now they are talking about increasing brick university fees?

Girlywhurly

Raksha wrote: »

Does anyone think the OU will become even more popular with young students now they are talking about increasing brick university fees?

Yes i think it is, after applying for my second part of my course it seems really busy to get through this time and the financial support section seems a little overwhelmed at the moment, which is worrying me.

welshmoneylover

Raksha wrote: »

Does anyone think the OU will become even more popular with young students now they are talking about increasing brick university fees?

Yup most definitely. Thing is, young students do not have the motivation to study with the OU, so might be good idea on paper... they may struggle to finish any course.. which will spoil the funding critieria for the OU.

Apparently, any student that leaves/withdraws before the end of a course, all funding for that student is withdrawn from the OU for that course, which is a lot of money cos the fees are well subsidised.

Gemmzie

Starting to sound to me that if you study over 40 credits a year, then you'll get part-time grants and loans but that fees for OU courses will be the same as other unis - i.e. you pay them with a loan and pay back once you earn £21k a year.

pearl123

This new fee systems sound like a nightmare. Is there any reason why one can't pay for a course upfront (at the current cheaper price) and then postpone the course till a suitable time. The following start date maybe.

mum2one

So nice just to be studying level 1 courses, without an exam, now doing E112 - sports and fitness), at the mo done 3 weeks work in 3 days - wish I could say put me in front - only be a week, -so got the TMA due next week, 1,000 words, feels like a letter after the others. Then the openings I've finsihed the book, just got trail YMA to do, but naughty as its not classed towards your course mark, but then the other side of the coin is if theres anything wrong,you have chance to get it right before the end of course.

No peace for the wicked, back to the books xx

Indie_Kid

There's a study skills book for each subject type. (science, maths, etc.) Are these really essential?

mum2one

sh1305 wrote: »

There's a study skills book for each subject type. (science, maths, etc.) Are these really essential?

Not sure whether its a particular course or a general enquiry, but in general all the study books are provided with the OU.