Help with OU social work degree

[Matchingcollarandcuffs]

My sister is doing the above but is really struggling with her degree as it’s been 20 years since she was at uni and the feedback really isn’t very helpful.

Any ideas where she could find help to get her through the last six months? She’s doing her full time job working with at risk children with it which doesn’t help

She should speak to Student Support. They can usually help. Maybe she needs to change tutor too? Best speak to Student Support and tell them the whole problem. They're there to help figure things out. The OU is full of people in similar situations to her (because there are so many mature students who have more responsibilities in life - and the accompanying problems - than the average 19 year old student).

It can also be possible to arrange a phone call with the tutor to discuss the feedback. I can't remember how that works, but she can just email the tutor and ask. Some people seem to do that a lot. I've done it once a few years ago.

Try asking on the mature students section In education as well. Lots doing social work and OU there.

I think the problem is the tutor. She has tried student support too. I think the fact that the residential was cancelled and it’s taken 6 months for them to have anything face to face . And the fact that the only feedback is negative, I’ve seen her marked essays and it’s true.

I think she needs someone to help her understand essay questions and guide her through the essay writing, when she’s tried with her tutor he’s just ripped what she’s written apart which has just destroyed her confidence.

I experienced a similar tuition style in the last year of my OU degree.

It felt very personal and came close to me walking away altogether, despite having straight distinctions up to that point.

The way I handled it in the end was to depersonalise all of the criticisms. i.e. stand back, think about what was being said and work out how to fit the mould clearly being demanded of me.

It worked and I passed. Not at the level I was used too or wanting, but I passed.

I loathed that tutor and his smug assertions that he had given me the shake up I needed to perform better in my career, but now 30 plus years later I realise he was probably right. I learned to be succinct and to reason my arguments at a higher professional level.

I also learned that it was OK to just scrape a pass occasionally in life.

Answering your last point, I think some people (me included) struggle with Essay questions because they can always visualise a myriad of ways of interpreting the question.

There are books available to help with that issue but the thing I found most useful was past papers.

I went on to do Professional exams and used past papers to focus all of my studying. They help you identify the course direction and focus as well as the style required.

Are there past papers / model answers available for your sisters course?

Two approaches:
Is your sister using the FB groups and online support groups?
She should look at who is in charge of the course and contact them and tell them she needs more help

Also has she a copy of The Good Study Guide or similar which helps in analysing essay questions?

The OU runs lots of study skills sessions covering essay writing and there are recorded videos of previous sessions in Student Home.

agree with others that she should contact student support and maybe have a phone conversation with her tutor.

Is she managing to attend the lectures?
Most lecturers seem to have specific key arguments within reflective logs/assignments. Might be worth speaking to each subject tutor..
There are quite a few books available that support studying for a social work degree and may also be of help.

Agree with everyone that OU Student support should be able to help and there is usually a course director.

The OU also has a OUSA (OU Student Association) group which has a peer support group https://www.oustudents.com/support-and-advice/peer-support/ which could help her with confidence.

The best advice I was given (did completely different courses) was that the OU really like it when you use, or refer to, their materials in essays.

And they do run sessions on essay writing techniques as well.

Is she looking at the assignment notes before starting? On the TMA weeks there is guidance for what chapters and online material will help with the tma

Thanks, I think it’s a combination of lack of confidence plus the way that OU works. She’s been through Student Support but didn’t find them helpful, I think she wants/needs what doesn’t exist, real life hand holding -she is so competent in her job but just feels clueless as a student.

I’ve pointed her to the Mature students board so thank you.