Open University study advice?

falko89

I did a couple of Open Uni modules a few years back when I was unemployed, and obviously being unemployed time wasn't an issue, however I am now struggling to balance work and family life.

I started a 60 point course, they say 16 hours, the blocks maybe take 16 hours but add in TMA's CMA's etc it works out a lot more.

I work 7-5pm Mon to Fri, its 6pm by the time I get home and get dinner etc, and I try to do an hour at least, but then the wife thows little dirty remarks about me not doing anything around the house, the kids who are all under 9 are running mad around the house and well its a mad house.

I started on a TMA question yesterday at 10am, at 4pm I still hadn't got it done and my brain was fried the wife was getting !!!!ed off, the kids where fed up etc etc.

So as I say I am struggling to balance it all. I work in a dead end min wage job which I have posted about in the past so I am doing this to try and get the hell out but its not really working out from what I can see.

Anyone any advice?

rockandroller

The only thing that pops out to me is this : GET UP AN HOUR OR TWO EARLIER AND USE THIS TIME FOR YOUR STUDIES (Easier said than done, I know...)

falko89

rockandroller wrote: »

The only thing that pops out to me is this : GET UP AN HOUR OR TWO EARLIER AND USE THIS TIME FOR YOUR STUDIES (Easier said than done, I know...)

Yep thats what I was thinking, I get up at 5.45 as it is. 4.45 is a bit on the early side. I don't know what to do about it all really.

skintandscared_2

I know it sounds obvious, but have you tried sitting down with your wife in a non-stressful time (eg when kids are all in bed) and calmly talking about why you are doing this course? It's so you can get a better, higher paid job and it will be of benefit to the whole family. Maybe between you you can agree a set amount of study time when your wife will make sure you are not interrupted, and that can be balanced by a set time when you will do something with the kids or do some chores, to give her a break too? Literally get a wall planner and designate both your and your wife's "me" time.

This is not forever and I think your wife needs to focus on the long-term benefits of what you are trying to achieve. Plus you may be taking on student debts to take this course, which will be a complete waste if you don't pass the course!

OllysMum_2

it is tough getting the balance right. I've just responded to another thread where I said I regularly thought of giving up - and that was nearly always the weekend a TMA was due!

If you're spending 6 hours on a TMA and not getting it done then I think the issue is in your head rather than one of time. I could easily spend twice - more than twice - that on a TMA but know that if I had a bit more focus and discipline I could have got it done in a couple of hours.

What worked for me:
- Get out of the house to study where possible. Coffee shop, library, away from distractions,
- use as much dead time as you can. Three days a week I'd get public transport to work because that was great study time for me. (I had a company car so "loaned" it to one of my team in return for a lift home)
-put notes on index cards and take them with you at all times. Any spare five minutes you can look over the cards
- Anyone else on your course up for a study group? it was so useful having that encouragement from someone else.
-My best study time was weekend mornings. I'd get up at 5am which would give me a good 2 or three hours before the kids got up.

I was on my own with two toddlers when I started my OU studies. In many ways it was easier not having a partner to consider; sadly a lot of relationships don't seem to take the strain of the pressures of studying.

Wishing you all the best

Dunroamin

I don't think that trying to study straight after you come n from work is really a good thing as it's often the busiest time in the household. Perhaps you might be better to wait until your children go to bed so you can study while your wife relaxes.

hawk30

In response to Ollysmum, I'd say a TMA can easily take more than 6 hours. It depends on what level the OP is studying at. My postgrad TMAs have varied between 2,000 to 5,000 words and require research, so most cannot be knocked out in less than 6 hours.

OP, I think you need to negotiate some time with your wife. If you can, try to set some hours when it is known that daddy is working and not to be jumped on, asked to play, etc (easier said than done, I know).

OllysMum_2

hawk30 wrote: »

In response to Ollysmum, I'd say a TMA can easily take more than 6 hours. It depends on what level the OP is studying at. My postgrad TMAs have varied between 2,000 to 5,000 words and require research, so most cannot be knocked out in less than 6 hours.

OP, I think you need to negotiate some time with your wife. If you can, try to set some hours when it is known that daddy is working and not to be jumped on, asked to play, etc (easier said than done, I know).

I've completed two masters degrees with the OU - one with distinction, one with merit passes. The actual writing shouldn't take 6 hours - I would assume the research is done throughout the module. Fail to prepare etc.

I think the challenge is that (certainly for me) I had to study when my brain was receptive, which didn't always chime in with others' needs. So studying at night was a bit of a no no as I was too damned tired.

Yes, negotiate with your partner for uninterrupted study time. In return, make sure she gets time out, too.

falko89

Studying at night isn't really working for me either, Its more of a struggle, you read the material but it doesn't stick if you know what I mean. I am a morning person, if I want to do anything it needs to be done in the morning.

I felt guily yesterday sitting doing the TMA when the kids were running mad, I feel guilty in the evening as well.

In regards to the TMA, I spent 6 hours on 1 question, thing is its only worth 6 points yet its the most difficult.

ILW

Does your wife work?

Voyager2002

First thought: 60 points is a lot! You might consider reducing your study load for the time being.

The guidelines the OU gives for the time required (in your case 17 hours per week) do include TMAs and so forth, although obviously they vary with individual circumstances. I do think that you should ask your tutor how long you should expect to spend on each TMA and so forth; use that information for planning; and if a TMA takes significantly longer than it should then consider why and perhaps make changes. (The OU should have given you "The Good Study Guide" and that has lots of good ideas about this kind of thing.)

Second point: your relationship with your wife and the rest of your family is important, and it sounds as if it is coming under real strain. When a woman gives this kind of danger signal, it is very unwise to continue with "business as usual". I think it is clear that you need to reduce the time you spend studying, but obviously that does not mean giving up altogether. As a previous poster suggested, have a good long conversation with your wife about the OU and what it is for. However, the purpose of such a talk should not be simply to make her understand and accept the situation, but to pose the question of how much time you should commit each week. Once you have an agreement then stick to it, and if that means reducing your work-load and changing your choice of modules, that is a tiny price to pay for a reasonable family life.

Third point: the modules you have already completed (well done!) should have equipped you for something better than a minimum-wage dead-end job. It is never too soon to start looking!