Nervous about starting OU course

[mummysontheedge]

I'm starting an OU course in June and I'm a bit nervous of what to expect. I left school when I was fourteen without any qualifications and have not been involved in formal education since(I'll be thirty this year).
I'm really interested in the subject I have chosen and I'm starting on an opening course which doesn't have exams, just assessments. I was wondering if any one had any tips or advice on how to not be a nervous wreck prepare myself. I have my suspicions that it's alot like motherhood, you don't understand how hard it is untill you've started.

You'll be fine, as you will have seen from your openings course that the OU are very supportive. It's very daunting at the start to get a big box full of papers but once you've got yourself some quiet time to sort them out into a system it is easy to break it down into small chunks.

I found I got on best when using record cards to note down facts and references and I found it all so much better when I got over my fear of writing on printed text - by the end of my course most pages had highlighted bits, post-it notes poking out the top to make 'tabs' and notes around the edges. I also got in the habit of reading things out-loud (when alone) as I found I remembered it better then.

I'm rather jealous as I'd love to study more but I don't have the money at the moment.

Good for you MOTE - I just want to echo everything that MIB has said and wish you good luck with your studies

I'm an OU student too: only one year left to complete my degree (I started in 2005). Hope you find it as satisfying and enjoyable as I have!

Thank you MW and thank you MIB for the advice. I'm very excited about starting and making my brain work again!
I'm going to start taking driving lessons aswell this year (think it's the big 30 spurring me on )
Good luck on finishing your degree MW!
MIB - you might already know this, but the OU offer finacial assistance if your on a low income, it's how I've managed to do it. I hope you can get back to studying soon