Student parent support thread - New for Sept. 2010

[MiaWallace]

Starting a new thread for a new academic year.

Previous thread here

If you are currently studying a course or about to start one (at any level) please come and join us. We offer each other support, tips and encouragement, plus we use the thread as a means of procrastination

We started off the previous thread with a short introduction so here's mine -

I'm 30 years old. Recently married with a 5 year old dd. I completed my degree in Education studies in July and I'm about to start my primary PGCE in September.

misky wht is your PhD in? and where are you studying?

Hi hockeypuck, I'm an ecologist! I specialise in tropical ecology and not only do I have to go back to uni and juggle studying and babycare - I have to do fieldwork abroad! no idea how i'll work it all out

Mum 72 - just wanted to say good for you :)

I'm having a bit of a wobble here, the more I read my course texts the more a fear creeps over me that the course I've chosen is not going to suit me at all

I've chosen A207 from enlightenment to romanticism, mostly because it starts in October and I can use it towards a History degree.

But and it's a big but, I do not have an interest in Art, Art History, Literature not too bothered about Philosophy either.

So am I signing up for a Year of studying things I don't enjoy?

schroeder- I think it may still be possible switch courses.

Hello, I'm about to start AA316-19th Century Novel.I'm hoping to get BA(Hons)Literature with the OU in the next 2 or 3 years.

I have two children, 8yo DS and 19mo DD. I will be going back to work within a couple of months, so studying may be a bit tricky, but I'm very excited . I registered late and so will have to wait a few more weeks for the course materials-can't wait!

to switch courses

Just got my time table...it's meant to be a part time course...effectively four days a week...so cross!!!!

Have had to get a child minder for DD (hope she'll be ok), and will have to go on the bus for other three days...I hate buses. Last year they squeezed four modules onto two days (2 on each), but this year, one on each day :(

Oh well...

Hello, I'm going to nip in here and join this thread.

Starting uni on 20th September, doing Social Work degree. To say I am excited is an understatement!

I am 32 (nearly!), on my own with one DC.

Have had timetable through, reading list, online registration done, CRB done, booked in for Hep jabs, finance sorted - so pretty much all that's left to do is start!

dietcokebreak is doing the same degree as me, so if you're around, come say hi!

Will hope to be a regular on here being calmed down getting tips from you lot!

Hi Aspiegirl, I hate it when that happens. My uni's the same, it's not at all geared up to the needs of part time students. Any chance of getting any of the sessions moved?

aspiegirl thats a bugger!

i got my timetable too and they changed the day of the week, so clashes with dhs counseling. very irritating as scheduled it around the college provisional timetable and now they have change the ONLY day that i needed. grr.

i wouldnt mind be we've been waiting 6 months for it, so ive got to miss three days of my course now until his sessions are over as he cant just not go.

sometimes i wish i lived closer to my mum :(

I don't even know when I'm supposed to go back! I want to go back, I'm very bored at home!

I got a load of bumph in the post yesterday.

I have to go up two days the week after next (Tues and Wed) for induction and to find out about timetables/meet staff etc etc.

It is all starting to feel very real if that makes sense.

Anyone starting this week?

I have another week left and getting very nervous.

Mia - I have a week and a day and I am getting very nervous.

Had a nightmare last night that they phoned and said they'd made a mistake....

I have a week left as well. am very nervous as well. Need it to start so I can just get on and see that I can get childcare, I can get there on time evryday and I will manage! LOL

Hi All

Can I join this thread.

I am 31, married with a 2.10 year old DD. DH works full-time and I am returning to college on 20th September. I am doing my 2nd year of a Foundation Degree in Computing. I also found out just after my exams in June that I am expecting so spent most of the holidays feeling miserable. Got my 12 week scan on Thursday. No idea what I am going to do re: college and when baby is born... any advice. Baby due in March

Hi Eva, can you do half the year, take a break, and then do the second half a year later? (if you see what I mean). That's what I did when DD was born. So go to college from Sept-Dec (plus any Jan exams), then go back the Jan after when new DC will be 9 months old.

I just want to get my timetable and see what is happening

So nervous

As I'm the only PTmer I can't see them changing it. Apart from having to go on the buses it shouldn't be too bad

Looking forward to going back now!!

:)

Oh aspie - hope it works out for you

hello all :)
haven't been MNing as much lately (too busy... wait for it... studying!) so I thought I'd check in. finally finished my (overdue) TMA this morning, posting it later. only have 10 days for my final one though!

10 days seemed like forever for an essay for A level, but now it seems so short

it's my last TMA - the revision one covering the whole course. I've made a ticksheet for each individual part of every question to keep track of progress, and I'm going rate them according to difficulty, which will guide my revision.

exam oct 13th but parents are taking us to spain the week after :o so also trying to lose some weight for it!

anyway, hope everyone is doing ok. been mega stressful here, DH has had a horrible back injury for ages, poor thing :( and can't have time off until next week, so while he's been in so much pain I've been doing everything at home. we are really struggling :(

right, enough self pity must get on with stuff now!

Tomorrow is my first day at college and I am beginning to get buterflies now!

There is a Freshers fayre on at the college today. Not really sure what it involves the flyer says get your NUS card, freebies etc and find out all you need to know about college.

Am pondering going but am worried I will just be some lost silly looking middle aged woman (with my 9yoDD as she is home still) amongst a crowd of teens!!

Saying that I have so little clue about college life in general and I am thinking I could do with going really - and it would be a good test drive to make I do know the way (being so new to the area)!!

Not sure what to do - loads to do here at home too being that the rest of the week I am in college!

Good luck btw for all of you starting soon!

Algebra well done on completing your TMA and good luck with your exam

Mum72 good luck for startig your course tomorrow.

I have already started with the procrastination and course doesn't officially start until next week. I need ot write an essay, I have known about this all summer, yet I can't be bothered to sit still and do it . Think I am going ot go to the shop get some nibbles (always work better with nibbles) and make myself sit at the table and do it. it is only 500-750 words so reallly no excuse for not doing it

I am a single parent and ds is 11 - just started senior school!

I've started another thread as I'm looking into studying full-time from next year. Having said that, since posting my first message, I have received my result for a work-related exam that I sat a couple of months ago (theory of risk management) and much to my disappointment, I failed by 2 points. This was my second attempt and although I passed the 'application of' exam with flying colours, I'm really struggling with the theory. Very demoralising, as you can imagine, and it's making me doubt my ability to complete a degree.

argh stella by 2 points! how annoying for you. I'm sure you can do it though, third time lucky :)

quick question to OU students about NUS cards - can we get them? and if so, how?!

Awww Stella - how gutting!! But blummin heck I admire your perseverence. Keep at it..

I never made it to the Fresher Fayre due to a million other things I needed to sort today before tomorrow!! YIKESS!!!

Algebra - I have no idea about the NUS cards I am afraid. I too would like one. Anyone know how we get one???