Hi

[mmsmum]

Hi,
Just thought I would introduce myself to everyone here in hope that we could maybe share our experiences?

I'm doing a level 1 OU course and don't know anyone else who is/has studied with the OU and my tutorial group forum is completely empty! I've made a post, but tumble weed blows by.

So far I've completed 2 assessments out of 3, I did about a weeks worth of reading for the first one but typed up the essay in one evening at my mums with dc in tow (I had no computer), I got 67%. I skipped my second tma because of computing problems and just got 66% for my third one. I can't be too disappointed with that mark as I only did one day of reading and one day of writing.

I would really like to get into it more and study properly, as opposed to reading just for essays. I would like to do all the tutorials, read more widely, get better marks and enjoy it but really struggle with time. How much time do you all spend reading? I tend to see reading as a luxury and sitting down as being lazy, I need to change that.

Am I right in thinking that I am going to struggle with my ema if I don't catch up with the reading I've missed out? I know that if I just spent more time on it I would be getting much better marks so I'm kicking myself for that. Also wondering what you guys think of trying to do the second tma that I skipped? My tutor says I'll still pass the course, assuming my marks don't fall, but I'd like to do well, but would it be silly to try to fit another one in?

I would really like to hear how everyone else is doing and what your opinions are on everything. I used to love chatting with other students when I was at 'real' (as in a building you go to) uni and I miss it

Hi mmsmum (waves to Prolesworth and Winnybella : will probably be joining the procrastinators thread before long...)

Another OU-person here, can I ask what course you're doing? I committed the heinous sin (well, according to the more virtuous OU-ers on the FirstClass forum) of missing out everything that wasn't TMA related on my first Level 1 course (AA100), it meant I missed loads of really interesting stuff [deep sarcasm emoticon]and concentrated on essay material. I just wanted to get the course done, basically, so I could move on to the interesting stuff at level 2 and 3. Proley's right; level 1 only needs a pass and doesn't affect your degree classification (but distinctions are nice, tho...). I supposed if you made your reading more 'active' by note-taking at the same time then it doesn't feel like time wasted. Try not to be so hard on yourself - it's a massive learning curve and you have to be motivated (my tutorials were badly attended, even though the tutors were brilliant. There's loads of support on here from OU oldies (not that I'm one, but I'm at level 3 now - eek!).

Good luck! NCo

Words of wisdom from Prolesworth...

I took the OU's 'how to write essays' short course after AA100 (I thought it would help me to organise my studies and rather haphazard approach to writing TMAs) and realised that my writing/studying style is totally opposed to what the OU teaches newbies. But, sod it, what I do works for me and my tutors haven't complained (yet...). So what feels right IS right, basically.

Yours feeling militant, NCo

Hello, thanks for the welcome!
I am glad there are other OUers. THanks Prolesworth for understanding how I feel about the assessment but you're right and I think I'll leave it unless I get time at the end, but that's not likely lol
Nicecupoftea I'm doing E112 which isn't half as interesting as AA100 sounds! I didn't realise I was heinous lol I'd like to get onto level 2 and 3 quickly as well. I chose E112 because I thought it might help me move into working in that industry but I already have a few qualifications in that area so while it is something that interests me and it's a different perspective it isn't all new which leads to the problem of skiving off quite a lot! I am glad level 1 doesn't affect classification, I didn't know that.
I am going to read all the info. on the website about assessments, I read it all before I started the course and have forgotten it. I have a tutorial tomorrow at 7pm but have a meeting at 8pm I can't change, it was my fault as I arranged the meeting but I've realised too late to cancel. How long do your tutorials last?
Thanks for the support for everyone!