Anyone studied/studying with the Open University?

[JaneandtheLaundry]

Is anyone studying at the OU atm or has already done this? I'm starting again in Feb after a 4-year study break. My first module was a bit of a disaster 4 years ago (I am 99% sure I have dyscalculia and I was doing a maths module) so I'm hoping to do better this time. The textbooks arrived this week and I'm suddenly feeling very daunted but very much want want to get this degree. Does anyone have any tips, experience or words of wisdom? Or even just ideas about what stationery you found useful!

Are you still studying maths? If you have dyscalculia it would be a really good idea to get that assessed and diagnosed so you can have targeted help to work around the problems.

Good luck.,

I was an OU student and a tutor for many years with them.
Here are some basic tips:

Make the most of the other students and form a support group
have all your study materials and stationery in one place and no one is allowed to touch it
make a timetable and keep to it
when you finish studying leave yourself a note of what you should do next time
Plan how you will get the assignments written - keep some time clear in the week or two before the due date
you will find some chapters in the text books harder than others. You can always go back.
try to attend all the tutorials
use your tutor
there is no such thing as a silly question. If you feel you need to ask for clarification or help in understanding, then ask.
don’t be frightened to write 🖋️ n your text books and use post it notes to mark pages
Always save assignments as you go.have autosave on. It’s a good idea to email drafts to yourself in case anything happens to your computer or save on something like Dropbox.
you might want to consider buying a ‘good study’ guide. The OU probably have online materials that can help.
everyone has to start somewhere. You are following in the footsteps of 1000s of other people who all felt like you at the start of their course.
good luck.

Oh sorry no I'm definitely not studying maths ever again! I was doing it to try and improve my maths but the anxiety and stress was not worth it, I was crying every time I had to do an assignment and couldn't take in the information properly. I'm doing psychology now. I know there will be some maths in it later (which I'm dreading) but hopefully I can cope enough to just get through it. I looked into it a few years ago but it seems impossible to get an assessment for dyscalculia as an adult, everywhere seems geared up to dyslexia and I know I definitely don't have that.

@Rocknrollstar Thank you, this is really helpful. I still have a copy of the Good Study Guide from my first attempt. I'll dig it out.

I am currently studying with my them. In the first half of my second year, doing it part time.

The best bit of advice I have found is to write out each assignment and have note pages to hand while you study so you can take notes relevant to the assignment as you go. Do NOT forget to jot down which bit it relates too as well so you can find it easily later for references! So many times I have extensive notes about a small article or video that I desperately want to use as evidence but can't remember which week or section it was in and have to go trawling through all the week to find it again to reference it.

Definitely keep all your books/notes/pens together in a folder so it's easy to get started. In my first year I had a couple of lazy days where I didn't do uni work because my book was somewhere in the kitchen and my notes were upstairs and I couldn't find a pen....

Do the work first thing, if you start putting it off, saying "I'll do it after lunch" "I'll do it after tea" "I'll do it after this next episode" you will never get around to it. Because you're solely responsible for organising and motivating yourself it's really easy to put things off.

Definitely get any diagnosis or medical help because that will open up an even bigger wealth of support and understanding. The open uni is good for support in most situations but absolutely brilliant with any kids of disabilities.

Make a very visible note of deadlines, alarms on your phone or a written calendar/sign on the wall etc.. nothing worse than having the wrong date in your mind for a cut off and realising you only have a day or two to turn something in that you haven't even started!

The most important one.. have confidence in your ability! Go for it, and always submit something even if you think it's rubbish. Not submitting anything will always get you less marks! You can do this ❤️

@daisy357 Thank you, really helpful advice here! What sort of pace are you studying at? I think it will take 6 years for me to complete the degree at 60 credits a year.

Yep exactly the same for me, doing a 3 year degree part time so each year takes two years to complete. I'm in my 3rd year of studying and it's the first half of my second year of the degree. It feels a bit daunting thinking I'm only half way through but if I tried to do it full time I would absolutely fail because with working full time and kids and family life it's just too hard to do more. That's why I like the open uni, I can do it in smaller bursts if I need to and if I've got a really busy few days I can get ahead beforehand!

Make the most of the other students and form a support group

Agree, but also ignore everyone on the group WhatsApps boasting about their grades and how far ahead they are.

IME the people who seem to know it all… really don’t.

Totally agree with this.

I start my first module of Childhood and Yourh Studies in October. Joined a couple of groups in August.

The sheer volume of messages was a nightmare, let alone the fact that virtually everyone on them seemed to have loads of spare time to study (I work 45-55 hours a week so am very much plodding!) or were studying 2 modules at once.

A couple were drafting their first TMA before the course had officially started - it was truly crazy.

I stepped away and am in a couple of FB groups now. I'm content to work on my own anyway.

@daisy357 Yes I would never be able to do it full time as I'm working, too. It's nice how you can have time out between choosing modules, too.

@ViolinsPlayGentlyOn @MadamePeriwinkle I didn't know there would be WA groups and FB groups. I ended up totally ignoring the module forum last time because everyone was on a very different page to me. I need to try and engage more this time.

I've just been out to Ryman to get my stationery and may have splashed out on a second packet of highlighters in nifty pastel colours. 😅

@JaneandtheLaundry can't beat a pack of nifty highlighters!

What module are you starting? I'm on E104 - Introduction to childhood studies and child psychology

@MadamePeriwinkle Ooh I was eyeing that one up to do next! I'm on D110 Exploring Psychological Worlds: Thinking, Feeling, Doing.

Just to reassure you, I am terrible at maths and got on fine in the psychology modules I did a few years ago.

The modules were interesting, but I found the tutorials a complete waste of time so didn't bother attending, just cracked on at my own pace. It really is all laid out clearly for you at level 1 and 2 so I am sure you'll be grand.

Sounds good! I'm signed up for Childhood and Youth studies BA (Hons) at the moment, but may diversify into some more general psychology stuff. I'll decide after Year 2 I think.

I'm doing a module with the OU at the moment. Posting marks is a big NO NO - should someone do this, remind them that it can intimidating and not to do it (although Admin should do this so you shouldn't need to). Worth joining a WhatsApp group as there's usually someone around who can answer a question about where to find stuff. However, I tend to clear the chat frequently and make a note of useful information.

Posting marks is a big NO NO - should someone do this, remind them that it can intimidating and not to do it (although Admin should do this so you shouldn't need to)

They do that all the time on the main OU FB page - other than occasionally turning into a bunfight nobody really does anything. I think they’ve given up on that one.

When I struggle to keep going with my studying I tell myself I'll just do a few mins. Usually I end up surprising myself how far I get. Now I'm on my 4th year of part time studying psychology with the OU!

Hi there,
I got a BA (Hons) in Criminology last year with the Open University. I completed it over 5 years. Interestingly enough I discovered halfway through I have ADHD! I'm 54 and never knew. It can be really daunting when the books arrive, especially when you move up a level - wondering if you're good enough. But you will be and Student Support is there for any issues.
I've not heard of the condition you mention, but I'm assuming it's got something to do with numbers.
I'm a Student Representative and my email is [email protected] so feel free to contact me if you need any moral support and encouragement.

I'm similar, im starting again this month with my 4th module. I've taken a 4 year break as life took over so much! I'm also studying psychology, if you need a study buddy feel free to message me x

I finished last year, I did Childhood and Youth studies, now working towards a PGCE.

My advice, don’t feel like you need to read/complete every single activity. Take note of which activities have been good and why, note the week/activity number. Attend tutorials where possible, even if you have done one already, a different group of people can be invaluable. If you decide on EK313,( compulsory for childhood and youth) which I think has changed number this year, it’s a research one, start planning the literature review early!

Oh and use mybib for referencing!

Hey I'm also doing psychology, started in October. I'm rubbish at maths but you don't really need to be good with numbers because there are programmes now that do it all for you. I agree about the WhatsApp groups etc, it's too much and the people bragging about their scores is disheartening. PM me if you want to chat about the course

Yes I did and the best thing I've done for myself. Trust the process. The courses are leveled so you build up your knowledge and experience. There's lots of help for referencing to. I used to skim read or listen them go more indepth for the essay. Tutorials are good. Shame they stopped the in person ones. Go smash it!

I've just started an English Lit degree with the ou. Something I always wanted to do!
First two assignments back and I got over 70 for both, which made me very happy!

Thanks everyone! I'm getting stuck into the module home page today and adding dates to my calendar.