Couple of OU questions...

[Magneto]

I'm seriously looking into starting a degree with the OU. I got great GSCE results but then got lost during my A-levels due to various personal reasons. I never made it to uni despite always dreaming of it. 5 years later and I have decided to jump in, despite the fact that I will be supporting dh while he goes back to college himself and we have a 19 month old ds.

My first question, is would you recommend doing an opening course first? I wouldn't mind trying something to get me back into "learning mode" but some of the descriptions of the opening courses seem to indicate they are very basic (of course that might be just what I need!). Do the opening courses count towards anything? I think I will be able to get a student loan to pay for the degree but I don't think there is any funding options available for me for the opening course which is about £200 so I don't want to pay only to realise I didn't need to do the course.

My second question is: has anyone done a History (either the Broad or Classical degree) or Humanities with history or French degree? What was it like, what did you study? Would you recommend it etc etc etc???

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

I am doing science-y courses, so can't really help with second question...

But if the course is described as Level 1, yes it will count towards degree, and it will involve learning how to write essays and read sources, and... whatever other skills you need to do a history degree.

I am an OU student but not doing any of those degrees you mentioned. I did start with an Openings course and looking back would have been fine starting with a level 1 60 point course. The 10pts from an Openings are pointless really unless it is for a hobby only or if you are doing more short courses to make up the points. It was good from a confidence point of view but if you choose a good level 1, there is plenty in that to help you with essay writing etc. So if money is a consideration then I would say go straight to a level 1. I highly recommend OU study.

I would say that you probably don't need the openings course and that a level 1 course would be an ok level to start at. My next door neighbour was studying history with the OU and she really enjoyed the Arts past and present course which I think is the first compulsory module.

There is a student parents section and you might find some more OUers in there:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/student_parents

I've done one French (Level 1) and one History (Level 2) module - both only 30 point courses. I loved the French one (Ouverture, I think) as I did not out of interest with no intention of going further. You need to attend a summer school in Caen for the higher level course and, at the time, I couldn't do that. Plus, that means the courses are significantly more expensive than the standard courses. I'd say Ouverture was similar level to A level, maybe?

The history module I did for the wrong reasons (too late to change my mind) so I really never gave much time to it and just ensured I didn't fail it. I'm not the best person to ask about that.

I did it not not*

I am slightly apprenhensive about home based learning while holding down a full time job, managing a toddler and the house!!! But I'm sure many people manage it fine .

Thanks for the advice, I'm sure I remember how to do essays and referencing but of course what was required at a-level/gcse is probably different to what I will need to do for a degree. So I'm now wondering if I should do an opening course in something unrelated to the degree, but which may be useful for work as there is a management one.

I'm so indecisive! I'm going to have a browse of Student parents too thanks.

I've just started doing an openings course, Understanding Society, and am finding it interesting and useful.

I have to juggle it with work and 2 young children so wanted an easy start. So far it's been quite straightfoward, I have my first questions to answer this week and they only require 300 word answers. Obviously I'm on here instead of doing them . My tutor said to spend about 6hrs a week on it but I have managed to do it in about 3 and get it all right (so far). Learning how to do essays again might challenge me though.

The understanding society book is broken down into chapters on family / culture / global markets / social movements and a few more. There are some easy activities which take anything from 20 mins to 1 hour, I've even managed to do them while supervising bath night.

Each chapter focuses on a different skill such as note taking, essays, reading tables and others that I haven't got to yet.

It's very much a 'baby-steps' course. Personally I'm glad I've chosen it as I can see how it will give me more confidence to study more in the future.