should i transfer to the open university

fsdss

i am looking to transfer my credits to the OU - there are many reasons

• course cheaper than where i am already (DMU)
• travel to and from uni (+parking is expensive +i had my car bashed)
• ever increasing childcare costs
• room where my lectures are, have been changed and they don't meet my learning needs nor take into account my hearing difficulties

the positives about change would be

• i can get 18 hours a week study at home and work(i work best alone)
• i can pay by tesco vouchers (which i have £200 value so far = £800 )
• i can stretch myself and do more than one subject at once (which my lecturer believes that i should be doing already based on the grades that i have been getting)
• i can continue with my employment which is perfect for my course (psychology) and can have study time +do research at work

can anyone recommend or think of any negatives to home study. i will also lose only 30 credits but possibly none depends on what they eventually say.

likabu_2

I have just started a degree with ou at the beginning of the month and can honestly say that I am lovng it. I too work best alone, so I do it when my partner is working and the children are in bed.

It sounds like it would be ideal for you - also there is still a lot of tutor support. You have access to your tutor for any queries of help via phone or email. Most courses offer optional tutorials for you to attend to at the weekends or evenings about once a month.

If you are finding it difficult where you are now due to the room etc but feel you could do more courses together then I say go for it.

Good luck in whatever you decide, and make sure you take a good look on the ou website where it talks about regs for transferring credits.

Lisa

Zziggi

I've taken the OU psychology courses and i can HIGHLY recommend them! (PM me if you want more details) I've gone on to do MSc Psychology & MSc Psychological research methods with the OU as i enjoyed the OU so much!

I've done a degree at a' red brick' uni and also with the OU. The OU wins hands down for many of the reasons you have highlighted. The OU is set up for people like the OP who is a mature student and is trying to juggle many balls such as childcare, job/career etc etc as well as studying. I personally find that traditional universities in a lot of cases are just not suitable for mature students/ students with kids/part-time students.

Feel free to PM if you want more details about OU psychology courses.

Ianna

If you want to change, go for it. If you're doing it because you think you have to then make sure you've explored your options. Have you applied to the access to learning fund? They can help you financially. Have you spoken to your tutors about how you're feeling? They might suggest some help.

Voyager2002

The OU is very good at what it does, and its qualifications are highly respected. The downside is that you miss out on the student experience and are more isolated than you would be in a class doing the same thing together. If that would bother you then stay were you are, but if you are happy working alone at home then do make the change.

fsdss

i'll await my prospectus and phonecall then

i think this is what i wanted to hear - i learn best alone and i would certainly not miss student life as i am too old and dated to find the hustle and bustle of uni life remotely exciting.:eek:

thanks all

likabu_2

fsdss wrote: »

too old and dated to find the hustle and bustle of uni life remotely exciting.:eek:.

thanks all

Me too!!! Tbh if the ou didn't exist then I wouldn't get the chance to do a degree course, I've got a young family that need looking after pretty much 24/7.

Hope you get your phonecall soon

Lisa