To ask if you're studying with the OU...

[PoesyCherish]

How on earth do you find the time to fit it all in? I'm doing one level 3 module right now which said 10 hours per week studying. It's taken me at least 15-20 hours these last 4 weeks. When do you find time to study if you work / have DC?

Anyone?

I've done 2 x level 1 and just started a level 2. I never have time to do as much study as they say! I tend to do a lot of cramming around TMA due in dates!

PS good luck! I am finding it so tricky to study alone x

You need to get a regimented system going. Do a bit of reading every day, an hour or two of an evening is manageable. Then spend a few hours at the weekend closeted away with your laptop. When you have TMA’s be prepared to spend all weekend studying if you want to do well.

@WeirdCatLady re the TMAs do you mean just the weekend before it's due?

Thank you @bagginses Good luck to you too It's so difficult to self study isn't it.

What have I let myself in for... Basically I fucked up as I confused myself with the levels. Thought it was a first year module (I already have a degree and the levels are totally different)

I thought the OU wouldn’t let you start at level 3? Do you have any previous credits?

If you’re only starting out I would suggest ringing student support to defer this module and starting one at a slightly lower level.

I had previous credit and went straight in at level 3 and it was an eye opener as I hadn’t studied in many years. But I did it. (I enjoyed it so much I went on to do an MA too, currently dickering about a PhD 😂)

Your module planner should allow you to plan the work out, I’d recommend aiming to break the back of the tma’s as soon as you can, so you have time to edit.

If you ring your tutor you might feel a bit better about it all. I find they can easily put things back into perspective for you.

My dh did an ou degree. His first exam was about a month after our daughter was born. A medical need meant an assessor came to the house as he did the exam at home on a laptop. I took baby out for a long walk along.

It was hard work but he would do some reading of a lunchtime in work, and we got into a routine where he studied on certain evenings and either a Sat or Sunday. When dd was a bit older I would take her out of the weekend to soft play, see family etc so he had some time without distraction.

His graduation was this weekend 12 months ago. I was planning on doing lots of things when he had more time because his study had finished. You can probably guess that they haven't happened.

Good luck.

I’m doing my first 2 level 3 modules now. I stick ridgedly to the study calendar otherwise I would get stressed out. I do at least 2 lunch hours a week, 2 nights for a couple of hours then longer sessions on a saturday. It’s hard going and I’m already stressing out about exams in June but hey ho I’ve come this far now so keep plodding along

I’m on my third year with ou and have four children so know the struggle with trying to keep on track with it all! It is difficult but I’ve found being super super organised helps, prioritising what’s important and what’s not and accepting help with housework, childcare if possible! I have a study planner that I try to stick to and I know with my course an activity planner is provided at the beginning of each week so you get a rough idea of how long the online work should take at least, you can create a study plan based on that. I try and get a week ahead if I can so I have that grace period if needed I.e if the kids have a half term and I can’t get as much done. Some days are hard and I find myself logging on and doing 15 minutes work at a time when I can spare that. Also try and get maybe once a week when you can spend a morning by yourself at a library or something and just crack on. All about finding balance and what works for you. Took me three years to finally get there! Good luck!

I'm on level 2, doing 120 credits this year with 4 dc. I do generally just do the work when the two youngest are at nursery so 10-15 hours a week. I do not ever read the compulsory module books as so far they have been frankly dull as hell.

I've spent a couple of friday nights up shit creek deadline wise with a bottle of wine though, and I tell ya something I felt like a bloody genius then

My top tip if you have close together submission dates is always do the boring module tma first, or you'll panic and faff at the last minute.

I thought the OU wouldn’t let you start at level 3? Do you have any previous credits?

I already have an undergraduate degree and a postgraduate masters so maybe they thought I'd cope? Not that either of those are relevant to this module though! Tbh I wanted to do this module for personal interest without realising what level it is. Good luck with your PhD @WeirdCatLady

@StoorieHoose written down like that it just sounds like so much work! Fair play for you getting this far though.

@Shedoesntevengohere1 and @BrazzleDazzleDay wow 4 DC and still fitting it in- that's amazing!

I do not ever read the compulsory module books - what do you read instead?