How essential would you say the OU tutorials are?

[wildscaryface]

I have my first one tomorrow, I would go, and I planned to go, but unfortunately my anxiety is getting the better of me.

It's not the content (this is my second degree) but I am very shy and suffer from acute anxiety in situations where I have to be in a room with other people like that. I never used to be like that but unfortunately I became ill after I suffered burn out in my last job and have lost all confidence in myself.

Essentially nowadays I avoid things like this as much as possible (I can hardly wait with other people in the doctors waiting room without getting anxious).

So obviously the idea of being sat in a roomful of folks I don't know and having a panic attack is really putting me off going :(

oh dear :(

I have suffered with anxiety in the past, though never to the extent of panic attacks - but I totally sympathise with avoiding situations etc.

what subject are you doing? I'm doing maths, which is pretty easy to study alone IYSWIM - because the answers are to some extent black and white. whereas a more essay-based subject requires debate IMO, so tutorials may be more important.

IME OU tutors are fab, so why don't you call him/her? or email. explain how you feel, they will probably be really understanding. honestly, the OU is full of people with problems like yours precisely because of the way that it's run - it is very accommodating.

if you possibly can, do go, it can really help. :)

It really has been very bad in the past to the point where I was sent to occupational health by my employer, I think with a view to trying to dismiss me, but occupational health found in my favour under the DDA and I was allowed to reduce my hours and duties to a manageable level.

I was thinking of emailing the tutor to say that I do suffer with this, and that I may possibly at some point have to leave if I start to get really unbearably anxious - just so that they aren't surprised by me leaving abruptly. Also, having the option that I can leave without having to make an excuse may tone down the anxiety.

I think I do want to try to go - apart from anything else unfortunately it seems always to be that if you weather the storm it may get better, but avoiding things altogether means that the anxiety invariably gets worse.

that's a good idea about being able to leave. at college I had that permission and I didn't use it much, but it helped knowing I could. you could sit near the door too?

I really hope you can go, you will feel so proud of yourself if you do :)

anyway, go email your tutor now. what course are you doing?

Just trying to write the email now but who I am kidding? I may as well just write "Hello, I am a bit of a nutty freak, bet you're glad I signed up for your course, eh?"

Wildscary - I didn't go to nay of my tutorials as they were all too far and I was too pregnant to drive that far! I have done well and always e-mailed my tutor with any queries I had.

Oh don't think that wild! I'm sure they've had students with similar problems. How about:

Dear x
I am hoping to attend your tutorial tomorrow. However, I suffer from severe anxiety attacks in social situations and I am worried about it.
If I do manage to attend, I would prefer to sit near the door if possible. I hope you wouldn't think me rude, but if I am really struggling I would need to leave straight away.
Thank you for your understanding and I hopeto see you tomorrow,
Wildscaryface

I've done post grad with OU (essay based)and ime the tutorials were a waste of time, full of opiniated people showing off (just ime)
I don't think you'll miss much. Agree with bleberry- email tutor and ask her to send you copies of the handouts

wild - i am in a similar situation to you. Would it be any easier if you had someone to go with you?

I ask this, as due to my health problems, i was assessed for the disabled students allowance, and part of this paid for someone to accompany me to my tutorials.

Sadly, since that course, my helper has left, and i struggled to find another one i felt comfortable with, so dont go to tutorials now. You should definitely be able to receive email copies of handouts etc, and i really agree with letting your tutor know your circumstances - she may suggest other ways to help you study

How are you feeling about it today wild?

Argh. Got about 3 hours sleep last night as I couldn't "switch off" - and then was up early with DC.

I have decided not to go, but that I will not rule out going to the next one.

It's good to know that academically it won't put me at a disadvantage. I'm pretty good at working on my own and self motivating so I think I will get through the next block OK.

Feel better having made the decision anyway :)

Fair enough it sounds like you need an early night! However I reckon you should email your tutor anyway. Explain why you won't be there - honestly, they'll understand, and it's much better that they know, rather than think it's because you can't be arsed. Ask if they can send you the handouts too (I suspect they are much more likely to if you explain why you can't attend).

I second the use of the forum too, I am going to join the one for my next course.

I did email yesterday explaining and saying that I would really try to attend, but would sit near the door etc. I'll email again saying sorry I didn't make it and explaining why, and ask if I could possibly have any handouts.

I want to try to go to the next one.