OU students, a question about substituion?

[lilibet]

I'm just starting my first level two course, I've got 90 points at level one and wondered about those of you who have been at this longer than me, do you automatically substitute?

On my last 60 point course I substituted an essay as I was geting married and just didn't have the time to do it. My tutor siad that it was always better to submit something rather than do this, but on talking to another tutor on a day school, she said that she would always substiute an essay as the time pressures would then ease up a bit.

I have 7 TMAs to do before September, each bit of the course takes 5 weeks, for one of them I'm away for almost 3 weeks and wondered about accepting from the begining that I'm not going to do that one particulat topic.

What do you do?

Hi Lillibet,

I think it probably depends on the course. Some 60 pointers are pretty tough, and doing two 30 pointers together is REALLY tough.

I think circumstances have meant that I've always managed to need a substitution, but generally I try to start the course as early as possible and keep ahead to give myself some breathing space later in the course. I never aim for a substitution as this means you are effectively missing part of the course, and reduces your options at exam time (if you have an exam).

I'm doing religion and know now that the exam will be on Sikhs, whereas I would be missing Bhuddism.

I won't plan to miss it but will see how my time goes nearer July.

What are you doing?

The best thing you can do is get ahead of yourself. Have you received your course materials? Or was it an October start?

Do as much of the reading as you can now so that you just have to re-read as each bit comes up.

They say it's better to submit something.. that pushes up the substitution score, so if you find that you're not going to be able to finish your TMA write out the plan and submit it. Oh and don't be tempted to leave a particular bit of the course out cos that's the one that will bite you at the end of the course just when you think you're safe!

I was doing a BSc in telecommunications but I can't do it while I'm in Australia. I miss doing it very much. There is an OU here but it's nowhere near as good.

I'm going to have a chat with them and see if there's any way I can continue the course while I'm overseas.

Are your courses online?

Only some of the 10 pointers, which are no use for the named degree. I was thinking of just doing a few to keep me going, so you're spot on.

I miss the books and marker pens and CMA/TMAs though

I've done three 10 pointers to get my points 'level', all in the Humanities tho'

You miss TMAs????????

One of the courses I did last year had a no substitutions rule.

I have not missed a TMA, even when missing one would have made no difference to my overall level.

I certainly don't get ahead of myself. I tend to just go from one TMA to the next, and go back a month before the exam and fill in the gaps .

I did two 30 pointers last year and had to get ahead of myself as I was going away, I just did the work before I went .

Am so glad I'm not doing it this year though, it was hectic...

I slacked off so am trying to get back into OU by starting some 10 pointers.Hopefully in Feb but still waiting for my funding confirmed.
First one is Shakepeare andhopefully know enough about the texts that I should be able to get by if the stuff is late.

In the past I have always needed to substitute due to other factors.

What are CMA's & TMA's?

Sounds like hard going!! I'm in my 2nd yr at Uni & at the minute about to sit an exam (Wed)... I feel ill!

TMA-tutor marked assesment not sure about CMA?

Computer Marked Assignment

Ah couldn't think who'd begin with C

That's alright honey. There are also ECAs. lol