Wanting to study with OU, should I start with level 1 course or openings?

[newstart2010]

OU advised me to start with an opening course as I have not done any study before, but some other mumsnet mums said a level 1 course will be easy.

There is a level 1 course worth 30points, not sure if I should try that one or not?

Any advice welcome. I'm feeling abit crap today as do not have a clue where to start and really want to get on with it and get a degree.

what subject?
I'm doing maths, and level 1 was really easy - but then, it was only a couple of years since I did A levels (inc maths)

if it's been a long time you need to develop the study skills, not just the actual academic skills IYSWIM - you need self-discipline and all that stuff.

thanks for the reply, its business studies. i just feel lost today like giving up and saying i cant be bothered

thanks polesworth i would rather go for level 1 but OU are saying that if it is difficult for me could kock my confidence.
What subject did you study?

thanks for the encouragement

dont forget that level one is higher ed. i have just done level 1 in early years and despite my level 3 diploma i found it quite tough going!

mine was a 60 point level one course though which is equivalent to a level 4 qualification!

Openings take very little time, will help you get into the routine of studying, meeting deadlines, practicing skills etc It will also introduce some key phrases and background that could be very useful later.

I did an openings and Im glad I did. If you can afford (time and money-wise) to do it, Id say go for it.

I started with an Openings course, despite already having a degree. It was a long time since I had last studied, I hadn't tried to fit studying around children before, and the OU way of writing essays etc was very different to how I had been taught at uni. So I definitely benefitted from starting with an Openings course, although the actual materials weren't challenging it got me into the routine of studying before I started a "proper" course.

bonkerz I have just finished the same qualification, although I did E123 and E124 to get it.

This is a very interesting thread - in fact I was thinking of starting one asking pretty much the same question - great minds think alike, newstart!!

I've already got a degree, but I really like the idea of the OU Open degree, where you put together subjects that interest you - there is an Arts and Humanities level 1 course that covers a wide range of subjects and sounds fascinating - but I'm considering doing an openings course to see if I can get back into independant study at home - on a purely practical level, they are less expensive than the course I want to do, so if I do fail dismally, I won't have wasted all that money.

domestic - how have you found study with ou so far? would you say it is more difficult or around the same as normal study you have done before?

stayingdavid - glad to see someone else is in the same situation as me

what are you going to study? I want to do Business studies.

Newstart - I'm busy doing a Lit degree through the OU and I started on Level 1. I'd previously done a Psych degree through them too and also did Level 1 from the start. I think that Level 1 should be fine unless you really doubt your ability or have serious time constraints.

Stayingdavid - I did AA100 and it was fantastic. I really enjoyed it and as it doesn't have an exam it wasn't too taxing.

I am due to start with the OU in October and have found some nice little study modules on their website.

I'm gonna try a couple to get myself back up to speed it's been a long time

I am going to look online tonight and try to apply for a course, I feel excited but also unsure... I think i just need to jump in and get started...