Looney Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I have been thinking about doing an Open University course for a while but have never actually made the final decision to go ahead and give it a go......two main reasons 1) I was unsure whether I would be motivated enough to devote the necessary amount of time (especially if I find the course content a struggle to get my head around) and 2) I can't decide what to study. I've looked long and hard at their website and think I have an idea but then I waver and think I ought to do something else instead.... I would be interested to hear if anyone else has done an OU course and their experiences.......or any other distance learning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Yes, and it's one of the best things I've done in my life! However, my reasons & also my concerns before starting were different to yours, and everyone's experiences are different. Still, in the 7 years (6 years with one off) it took me to gain a degree, and since, I've met hundreds of people who, like me have been enthusiastic about it. I haven't met a single person who's even hinted that they found it a waste of time, or didn't think the course was good. I left school at 16 & went straight to work. I thought going to university was what other people did, my 4 siblings all went on to Univ. or training, so I always felt they must be the clever ones. So, before I started, I thought that my esays would be sent back asking why I was trying to do it, and finding me out to be too dim. It took several months for me to realise that several others felt the same, and that I was just as capable of learning as anyone else. Time is a factor. I would say that 14 hours per week is the minimum needed to spend per course. So, being disciplined and motivated is essential. Although this is difficult fitting around other things, I just enjoyed the learning and the excellent presentation of the courses so much that it kept me going. I started with an Arts Foundation, thinking that I would be most interested in Eng. Lit or similar. In those days it was a requirement to take 2 Foundations (not now) so I chose Social Sciences, by default really not knowing what else to do. I became so hooked on the psychology, that I tailored my subsequent choices to make a degree in Psychology. Along the way I opened my mind to so much else. I think the OU is tremendous. But, it does realistically need the commitment. By the time I finished, I still had other courses that I'd be interested in. Of course, one can take individual courses & I'm quite tempted. I'd even like to do a Science degree. At least I now have the confidence that I could do it if I wished. I believe the academic standards both required & delivered are well maintained. Do let us know what you decide, and how you came to be thinking of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I am an OU student as we speak....often browse the forum to avoid looking at the folder. I am 2/3 of the way through a masters degree. I started it for a number of reasons, it was almost 10 years since I left uni and never thought I would study again, not particulalry academic and less well qualified than my siblings and partner. Had just come back from Iraq and decided I was no longer willing to let life just drift on by and the OU gave me the option for a fresh challenge and a change of direction. I love it and it drives me to distraction at the same time. I am possibly the least organised student and always leave things to the last minute. My course suggests 16 hours a week (I think) but I never manage anywhere near this and get by. Occasionally end up with so much to do that I end up stressing out and getting up at 3 am to write essays. It is not cheap - my current module will cost £800+ but for me the end is in sight. This time next year I will have completed the course and the satisfaction of my graduation will be awesome. I like the fact that you get your folder, books, CDs and DVDs and everything is there, but also really value the face to face contact at tutorials - they happen about every 6 weeks. I would recommend strongly, it is a good way to study but not as flexible as I imagined it would be - Essay deadline soon and have not yet finished the reading or read the title....oops Go for it Lorna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 21, 2007 Author Share Posted February 21, 2007 Wow, Sheila thanks for your response. Your experience certainly sounds extremely positive and i will think about what you have said. I bet you are so proud of getting your degree, I think it is a massive achievement I am thinking about doing a course because it has been 5 and a half years since I last studied anything. I feel like I have let my brain go to sleep and although I enjoy my job I don't feel any real mental/intellectual challenge (it is more likely to send me mental to be honest!). I have a BA Hons degree (French and Spanish) but I was a full time student at university so i didn't have the pressure of fitting study around a full time job - only around my social life! I am thinking about starting a German course. From memory, I can start with one that is worth 30 credits. If I try it and don't like it or decide it's not for me I won't have lost anything as any knowledge of a foreign language is useful. If I decide to stick at it I can take additional courses and build up the points. I guess I don't have the same confidence about studying that I used to so am more reluctant to give it a go.... ....I shall think a bit more. I can't start the course until later in the year so I still have time to mull it over. (I used to be indecisive but now I'm not so sure ) Thanks again Sheila, I really appreciate hearing your story x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 21, 2007 Author Share Posted February 21, 2007 Thanks for your response too Chicken Licken (I took so long responding to Sheila I hadn't seen your reply as well). I think I would probably be like you re organisational skills and I suppose this is worrying me. I could get away with it as a full time student (although the pub used to win hands down over writing an essay or sitting in a language lab ) but I am less certain if i could get away with it now. I am easily distracted - I had to tape up the plug on my TV to stop me from being tempted to watch TV instead of revise for exams! But then again I will kick myself if I don't give it a go - aarrgghh! What are you studying by the way? Thanks, I am feeling more convinced now. Just have to decide whether I really want to study German! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Go for it Lorna I have considered doing an OU course just to make me have some qualifications, I left school at 16, went to college for a little over 6 months, quit that and went into the world of work. I have 5 GCSE's at C grade. Lots of my friends all have some quals and now I'm older I want to put my brain into gear and learn something. As to what I have no idea but there are lots of courses that I would like to try. I have just had through the post the Te**o Clubcard deal brochure and you can now use £10 of vouchers towards £40 of the course costs, that would make it much more affordable Will get round to choosing something soon A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 I have just had through the post the Te**o Clubcard deal brochure and you can now use £10 of vouchers towards £40 of the course costs, that would make it much more affordable Will get round to choosing something soon A xx Ooh, thanks for that info, I had no idea I could use them for this....VERY useful! Hope you decide to study something too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Ah - I may not be choosing something quite so soon While I continued flicking through the brochure you can also use the vouchers for narrowboat holidays at the same exchange rate. As I'm still feeling rough I have texted Joe and we're more than likely going for a short break in March for next to nothing! - Hey I need something lovely to cheer me up and look forward to! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 Sounds like a plan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Note to self - spend more money at Tesco and use the clubcard points to pay off the OU !!- by the way you can pay monthly which makes it a bit less painful. I am doing Child Development in families, schools and society, it is quite heavy going but I will persevere. I hope you settle on a course Looney. I always think I will fail all my essays (TMAs in OU speak), and am often pleasantly surprised by how well I get on - which makes me feel great. Last year I got 90 for an essay (WOW ), it was the inspiration to apply for a new job which I would never have had the confidence to apply for otherwise. I got the job, moved house and have now got my chicken girls - without the OU I would still be stuck in my rut!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I would certainly recommend studying with the OU, Lorna. I decided to take a psychology course a number of years ago before having my family. It does take a level of commitment which I would find impossible now as a full-time working single parent. I would love to go back to it one day, which is one of the great advantages of the OU - you can build up your credits over a period of time. I think if you have an inquiring mind, your whole life is a learning process, which can be hugely rewarding. I'd say go for it! Choose a course that really captures your interest and enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I'm half way through the OU "Introduction to the Humanities" course. I have never enjoyed studying quite so much in my life. The course is brilliantly designed. The course material is so complete you really don't need to look anywhere else. The on-line tutor system is better than any tutor system in a regular university. You would never regret having a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I'm tempted myself!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 .......you are all convincing me to go for it. Thanks everyone, I think I will! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymama Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 I've done S103 when ds was 2, took 15 hrs a week plus one weekend a month to do assignments (TMA's) then the next course fell through because I was PG with the twins and ill for most of it, and the remainder money went on a different course and then I had three kids four and under, and work so there went that one. Will continue again next year probably, might start wtih a 10 pointer short course that is from a 60 I want to do. I know it wont count when I come to do the 60 but will reduce the work load a lot as I have to work almost full time and have three young kids and to all intents and purposes single as well. Go for it. 3 hrs a day, eves off, three weekends in four off. The hardest bit is sitting down to do it. Once you get going it's relatively easy. And summer school's a laugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
