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Original poster

Any other Open University mumsnetters?

131 replies

amymum · 19/02/2002 13:02

Just wondering if anyone else is / has studied with the Open University. I've just started A103 (arts foundation course) and am about to apply to Summer School. I really want to go, but am not looking forward to being without dd for a whole week! And also not sure whether dh is up to looking after her alone for a whole week! Has anyone else been to a OU Summer School and survived? Love to hear from you.

OP posts:
Hilary · 04/10/2002 22:58

E242 Learning for All - it has been good but I am so keen to get shot of it now, I can't tell you...

Tinker · 04/10/2002 23:59

I shall be very glad to see the back of my course. U210 - History, origins, uses blah blah of English language. And it's my birthday on Monday and don't even feel I can relax and celebrate it properly

Twink · 05/10/2002 18:33

Happy Birthday for Monday ! Make sure you celebrate properly after it's all over

Back to topic, have any of you done/are about to start DD100 Intro to Social Sciences ? I'd love some opinions as I can't make up my mind whether or not to do it.

anais · 05/10/2002 19:36

I'm thinking (still at the thinking stages atm) of doing a OU degree (the childhood and youth studies). Hopefully it will give my brain a kick-start, get me some qualifications, and keep me off the internet quite so much!

I'm probably going to do something else (ie at a lower level) first, just to get back to studying, and make sure I'm motivated enough to self-study!

What qualifications/study had anyone else done before starting with the OU and how have you found the studying?

Tinker · 10/10/2002 18:35

Well, just sat my exam and it was TERRIBLE

But tonight I don'T care!! It's OOOOOOVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

And I'm going to get very very drunk!

Good luck to anyone sitting exams!!

Twink · 10/10/2002 21:19

Oh Ar*se Tinker. On the upside make sure you properly celebrate your birthday now - mine's a red wine.

Hilary · 10/10/2002 21:51

Oh no, mine's tomorrow! I have been re reading the more interesting chapters of my text books by way of revision and hoping that I will have a sudden miraculous memory moment during the exam...

Hilary · 11/10/2002 12:06

I'm just about to set off, and I'm still skulking on Mumsnet with the assumption that I am not going to remember anything else about my course at this late hour! At least when I get back, I can skulk on Mumsnet just as much but not feel guilty!

Tinker · 11/10/2002 19:27

Hope it wasn't too bad Hilary.

Twink, have the wine ready and waiting. (Might have to drink some more tonight though!)

Hilary · 11/10/2002 21:35

It was ok actually, thank goodness. Think I passed.

Tinker · 16/12/2002 14:37

Seems untterly unbelievable to me but.....I PASSED!!!!

Deborahf · 16/12/2002 15:37

Congratulations Tinker - you can now enjoy a well earned rest. At least until next February - what are you doing next year?

I'm starting on S103 - Discovering Science - something to keep my brain ticking over and help me keep my sanity.

Regards
Deborah

tigermoth · 16/12/2002 17:13

congrats tinker - sounds like you weren't expecting such good news, so double congrats

Hilary · 16/12/2002 18:32

I passed too. (with a distinction - double wow!) and am starting 'Approaching Literature' in February. Today's result has made me feel much keener about starting the whole process again...

bossykate · 16/12/2002 19:31

well done, hilary and tinker!

Tinker · 16/12/2002 23:34

Deborahf - had planned to do nothing next year since the course I really want to do (French) is sooooo expensive! However, now......

Have a friend who is doing the same course as you, I think. Did you have to do something with a banana recently????

I'm sure they pass lots of students to encourage you to sign up for more courses so that they make lots more money!!

nettie · 19/01/2003 21:02

Hi all

I'm new to mumsnet and came across this thread when searching the boards. I'm trying to get myself motivated to begin this years ou study (D218) but seem to be spending far to much time browsing these boards! So stop being so entertaining you lot, I need to make a start before I end up a month behind!!

soyabean · 19/01/2003 21:29

Nettie I am just glad that when i did my OU MA it was back in the dim and distant past when we didnt even have an internet connection, I certainly didnt know abt anything as addictive as Mumsnet! Actually I finished 4 yrs ago but how time flies.(We just had a very basic pc for word processing, cant imagine it now.) It was a 3 module course and i did it over 5 years in the end: one year on (ds1 was two), one off (To have dd)one half year on but I abandoned it because I just couldnt get the time) then two years consecutively, I think. It was a great course and if i had the energy I wd certainly do OU again. Didnt have any summer schools tho, just a one day thing. My dh works in the evenings and as ds1 and dd were pretty good sleepers I just used to work at it in the evenings, was working part time too. I feel tired just thinking about it now, but it really is worthwhile. Good luck!

Gwynie · 24/01/2003 16:36

Hi everyone.

Have just decied to do a 60 point course with the OU and it will start in Feb 2004 (unfortunately, just missed registration for 2003).

I just wanted to know if:

  1. Does anyone know if I could register 'late' for this year if someone 'drops out'?

  2. This might be an odd question, but DH and I are considering Baby2 , but I do not know whether I should go fo it this year, and have a baby, toddler and studying to deal with or study whilst pregnant. Or even postpone Baby2 until after Oct 2004(not what we really want to do!)

So, I was hoping I would hear from those who did study whilst preggers or had tiny babies at the time, etc. Don't worry, I'm not expecting you to make the decision of when I increase my family for me, just wanted to hear experiences.

Tx

Hilary · 24/01/2003 17:07

I actually planned my family round the OU so I could do my degree at the same time as having a young family. I finihed my year at Uni in the July, had ds1 in the November and didn't study until the February he was 14 months. Then I got pregnant with ds2 timed to happen after the end of my course so when I sat my October exam I was 7 months pregnant. Then I had another year off and started again when he was 13 months. He is now 2 and I am doing my third course (but planning my third child for after this one - hopefully!)

I never wanted to study while they were tiny hence waiting until they were a year before each course. I didn't want to have to breastfeed, make up pureed veg, get up in the night etc while I was trying to study. Someone on my last course had a baby in the June - bang in the middle of the course and she carried on. Had one late assignment I think. Marvellous woman!

Bekki · 24/01/2003 20:49

Hi everyone. I'm currently studying Social Sciences with the OU. I work part-time, I have a 2and a half year old and I'm 9 weeks pregnant. It is possible to study with the OU and have a family, my grades aren't as good as they could be becsause I'm lazy and I have other responibilities, but a pass is a pass. It adds an extra dimension to my life and gives me a lot to look forward to in the future career wise. If you are on a low income they also offer the courses free of charge or you can get a loan. I recommend the Ou to anyone who wants to gain better qualifications. Anyone else diong DD121 or DD120?

Hilary · 24/01/2003 23:10

We're on a pretty low income but have always paid full price. How do I get discount?

Tinker · 25/01/2003 12:36

Hilary - I think the OU's definition of a low income is VERY low. I was claiming WFTC and still didn't get a discount. You just need to email them and they will send you a claim form.

Hilary · 25/01/2003 15:50

Oh, we're not VERY low, although it sometimes feels like it! We get WFTC so probably wouldn't qualify either.

nettie · 26/01/2003 10:08

Hi Gwynnie

I did my second OU course last year, baby born 7 Feb, course started 9 Feb! I had hoped to get a head start as they usually send materials out early but as this was a new course the materials were delayed - not helpful! I can't say it was easy studying with a new baby and a 4 year old but I managed a Pass 2. I think you've just got accept that your marks won't be as good as they usually are and to muddle through the best you can.

Hope this helps, best of luck!