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!

Do Duolingo maths. I’m pretty bad at maths but this goes back to basics and it’s helpful. It’s given me confidence. Minimum is not even 5 mins per day. Can’t help with the OU stuff though!
good luck x

I forgot to say; I did my entire degree including PowerPoints & a 7000 word dissertation on my Samsung mobile 🤪😂

Unfortunately, I could practise every day for the rest of my life and the numbers and signs would still switch themselves around on me and cause me to get "full marks for method, no marks for correct answer" and "error carried forward" on pretty much every piece of maths work I ever do. I got away with it at GCSE but from AS-level onwards it really messes up big calculations in ways that I can't see when I look back and check my work.

@Apd243 Wow that's amazing! I was considering getting a text processing app for my phone or iPad so I could work anywhere as I do find a change of scene can boost my productivity. I've got all the deadlines in my calendar with alerts set to two days before so hopefully I can stay on top of deadlines. I've already spotted that one in July is when I'm on holiday so I need to think about whether to take my work with me or do it early.

Hi. I am almost 65 and studying with the OU. I'm studying physics and space. There is so much help and support that you can access that I would definitely look forward to studying again.

Studying towards a Psychology with Counselling degree via the OU. Part time. Still in my first year, second module. So far so good. Really engaging content and I really enjoy the tutorials which helps consolidate the learning for me. I like it when it's interactive. I never have problems being motivated as I love getting back to studying any chance I get. Top tip : stay organised and you will succeed💪

Meant to add, it will take six years to complete part time but I am not in a rush. Doing my degree when youngest DC are still both in primary school.

I finished my Business Mgmt degree with them last year. I found every student Whatsapp group a panic-ridden cesspit of misinformation - be wary if you join them! And make sure you attend Graduation - it was a really nice event

My dh did an MBA with the OU a while ago and I'm about 2/3 the way through an MSc.

Agree with what others say about being organised re:self-study. In some modules the forums were really useful, in others no-one but the tutor and me posted. I didn't join a WA group so can't comment on that.

What I would say is that in all four modules that I've done, the tutors have been really excellent in terms of student support. I emailed in a panic once and the tutor arranged a time to phone me and talked me down.

The tutorials were all online, and I found them worth attending, although they record and upload them for people who can't.

Best of luck.

I am on level 2 now. One tip - keep chipping away. One step at a time. Really try to stay on the timetable - I didn’t do that and it got v stressful. Got there in the end but was hard.

Hi just an update, I had to withdraw from my qualification and modules today because of student finance. I am devastated. Good luck to everyone who is doing this though.