hi my name is angela williams. i'm 47 married, from south wales. i'm really nervous about being a mature student, but am really looking forward to doing the arts past and present course in oct. this is all new to me, not had any education since leave school in 1980 with 5 cse's!
Kim Newrick - Wed, 07/09/2011 - 21:03
Hi Angela, lets hold hands cos I'm a bit scared too.
Scott Russon - Mon, 11/07/2011 - 12:15
Welcome, Angela!
Scott
__________________
Member of the Platform team
@InScottLand
Mathew Freeman - Wed, 13/07/2011 - 22:32
Im starting this one in October too...but unusually...it will be the final course of my degree!!!
I already have enough credit for an Open Degree...but I found out that if I do this course aswell, I can turn it into the BA Hons. in Humanities with Classical Studies.
Looking at the course content, it looks like a lot of fun and I hope to learn a lot from it.
Kate Metcalfe - Thu, 14/07/2011 - 20:10
Hi everyone,
Glad I found this platform, nice to know there are other people feeling like me!
I'm Kate, 33, single mum to my lovely 13month old baby boy. Currently working full time but leaving to go part time to concentrate on completing my degree (BA hons English Language and Literature) with a view to applying for my primary PGCE in 3 years time. I'm also starting this module in October and excited but nervous about it. I've already read through the books for the module and also watched the Dr Faustus DVD, would definately recommend this although it's not set material as such, helps to bring it to life a bit and a bit easier to grasp! I'm also studying 'up North', Darlington to be more precise.
Helen Burnham - Tue, 11/10/2011 - 19:36
Hi Kate
I'm Helen, I have just started the AA100 with the hope of completing a Degree in English Lang and Literature. I am 34 and have 2 children aged 3 and 8. I would also like to do a PGCE in 3 - 4 years, so we have the same goals :)
I hope you are enjoying the first part of the module :)
Lee Rogers - Sat, 16/07/2011 - 09:32
Hi,
I've just finished Y180 which was enjoyable and has hopefully eased me back in to studying ready for AA100 in October.
There are several students from the Feb 2011 Y180 intake who will be taking AA100 this October, and as a few of us are familiar via the Y180 forum it should mean there'll be anything but silence
In answer to Stephanie's question, the Getting Ready for AA100 web site, and in particular the AA100 Course Outline web page and the OpenLearn resource have a wealth of information regarding Doctor Faustus to get you started.
Hope you all enjoy studying AA100
Lee
Charlene Campbell - Sat, 16/07/2011 - 10:57
Hi
I'm also starting AA100 in October, I 'm really looking forward to it.. Is there an easier way to find the forums? each time I log in I seem to find something different and not what i found the time before..Hope its making sense :0)
Good luck to everyone
Charlene
Robyn Bateman - Sat, 16/07/2011 - 17:21
Hi Charlene
Best thing to do is bookmark the forums you think you'll come back to in your web browser so it's easier to find them when you want them. But can find links to all the forums, listed by faculty, on the Join In page on Platform here. But you may then have to do some hunting for the threads you're interested in, unless you bookmark them. We are working on making forums easier to find though, it's on my 'to do' list!
Hope that helps a bit, Robyn
__________________
Robyn Bateman (member of the Platform team)
Charlene Campbell - Fri, 05/08/2011 - 11:23
Hi Robyn
Ive just found my way back again...Thanks for the help.I will bookmark this time :0s
Charlene :0)
Kate Metcalfe - Mon, 18/07/2011 - 19:51
Hi everyone,
I don't know if anyone saw 'The Impressionists' on BBC2 on Saturday night (8pm)? Well I think next Saturday it covers Cezanne which I know we look at in this module at some point. It was a really interesting programme and presented in a modern and quite quirky way which made it very watchable and not at all 'geeky'. Anyway I know nothing at all about Cezanne so thought I might give it a go and see what the next programme is like, just thought I would share this incase anyone else is interested.
Hannah Peacock - Tue, 26/07/2011 - 20:47
Hi everyone,
I am also starting the AA100 in October, am very excited but a little worried as i am 30 and been out of education for over 12 years, but I am sure i will get into the swing of things. ;-)
Clare Dilger - Wed, 27/07/2011 - 10:38
Hi my name is Clare and i'm 28 and live in Kent.
This is my first qualification since GCSE's in 1999, so i'm really excited. Also nervous that I will be able to cope! But luckily my friend has already done AA100, so i've been given the heads up.
I've always wanted to do an English degree but have worked full time since school. But luckily due to shift work, I will have loads of free time to study. English was really the only subject I was interested in at school, so looking forward to getting stuck in.
I'm just off out to buy Doctor Faustus to make a start. I cannot wait for my box of goodies to arrive!!
Good Luck everyone!! xx
Jill Trevail - Wed, 27/07/2011 - 16:06
Im Jill, Im 33 and I live in Aberdeen. Bit nervous about the course too as Ive not studied for about 10 years. Excited about learning though!
Nik Rowley - Thu, 28/07/2011 - 10:28
Hi My name is Nik, I am 27 and I live in Norwich.
This will be my second attempt at this course, I originally started it back in 2008 but had to withdraw after a few months as had to return to Australia where my Dad is from due to a family issue. I've completed a 10 point science course last year and decided that the sciences are definitly not for me :) (passed that course though!), so I figured that this course would be the best one to start my degree in History.
This will be my second attempt at a degree as well, I dropped out of a French studies degree some years back and have always regretted it, so fingers crossed for this second attempt!
Robyn Bateman - Thu, 28/07/2011 - 11:26
Good luck Nik - and welcome back to the OU!
__________________
Robyn Bateman (member of the Platform team)
Nik Rowley - Fri, 29/07/2011 - 17:17
Thanks Robyn, much appreciated :)
James Fisher - Sat, 30/07/2011 - 09:44
Hi again
I just received three books in the post this morning for the A100 module, including Dr Faustus. My son is actually in his third and final year at Uni, studying for a BA (Hons) History and English. I am hoping he will be able to help me a little, where I go wrong at times. He tells me that Dr Faustus is really good but I think I will purchase the DVD also, in the hope this will make it easier for me. I know my son is going on to take his Masters in History when he finishes his third year and will be busy himself so perhaps we can all help each other on here through time. I am in Northamptonshire, married for 23 years and have a son aged 21 and daughter coming on 17. Good luck for the A100 to everyone on here.
Jim
Karen Christensen - Mon, 01/08/2011 - 11:59
Hi everyone,
I'm Karen and I'm also starting my first OU course in October..
I'm 21, live in Bournemouth, originally from Denmark, work as a TA and looking to do a BA (hons) in English Language and Literature as a way of getting into teaching..
I'm very exited about this whole thing! :) ..Although having forced myself to read Dr. Faustus and try to understand it has worried me slightly.. Not gonna be easy.. Thanks for suggesting the DVD though, that may well help.
Good luck to us all.. :)
Leander Oates - Mon, 01/08/2011 - 18:37
Hi everyone! I'm Leander, 30, from Sheffield. I have two daughters at 7 and 17 months, so I have my hands full already but I'm gonna give it my best shot. I'm starting this module in October towards an English BA. I am hoping to do a PGCE in secondary English. It's lovely to find you all here, I have only stumbled across this by accident, I have been using the open learn forum and there are some more of us Oct 11/12 on there so check it out. Look forward to working with you all, best of luck to everyone!
Michael Douse - Tue, 02/08/2011 - 00:31
I'm waiting my 24 hours to see if I've passed this module. It's been a great course; a whole range of subjects to jump start your thinking process.
The best thing is that (often) you'll get a choice of two or three subjects on which to write your assignments. It really gives you room to breathe and adapt your own tastes and thoughts.
You've until October to begin?
Might I recommend some reading to help you get into the mood?
To me, it seemed as though the course focused mainly on morality and religion. Two subjects I am actually greatly interested in. Yes, we discussed and studied social scienes, natural sciences and art etc,. But the meat on the table was the changing zeitgeist in social opinion through the ages.
If you really want to prepare your mind for the questions inferred in this module, from my experience, I'd do a little reading on religious opinion, the change in social ethics and new and old philosophical enquiry regarding morality.
Sam Harris' "The Moral Landscape" is a great place to start, discussing the nature of morality in scientific terms, and it's affect on civilisation today. To contrast, reading Dr. Collins's book "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief" can balance the bias, and really give you a fun few months throwing back ideas of morality to and fro'.
Really, what I would advice (and this is by no means 'hardwork' in the 'I'm soooo bored' sense) is to get yourself a www.intelligencesquared.com subscription, watch 30434390 talks and debates on many subjects and perhaps watch some TED.com lectures.
At the end of the day, this course is designed to develop your academic thinking regarding different arguments and analysing different texts.
The key word is debate debate debate.
One thing's for sure though: when you finish, you'll feel 100x more 'worldly'
Hi - having read the posts I'm definitely feeling like the Old Man of the group! I'm retired but promised myself that I'd get some (additional) education when I packed in formal work. I started OU'ing last summer with Y160 (Understanding the Arts - now Y180) and then moved on to A215 Creative Writing for the winter and spring and have just finished S186 Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunami's as I wanted to find out more about them. I've chosen AA100 as it is the foundation course for Humanities degrees and also fits in with Open Degree schedules. One thing I would say is that the forums are important and give a broader perspective to questions, problems and ideas. They avoid the 'suffering alone in a garret for my art's sake' syndrome.
Looking forward to the course and contacts.
Abigail Collins - Tue, 02/08/2011 - 20:27
Well Ron, you are not the only one feeling old. I am 52 and starting a new life, but I am glad to see other post 20 year olds out there, and I can assure you that there are times when the young ladies with new babies will feel far older than you at the end of the day.
I have to say I am a bit green with jealousy re your studying volcanoes and earthquakes; I love that sort of thing, but I am concentrating on art for the next few years. I did an A level in fine art 3 years ago at a school and decided I needed to improve on that, but I am really nervous about doing a uni course online as computer skills and machines are not my forte.
Enjoy this next module.
Elizabeth Thomas - Sun, 07/08/2011 - 20:44
Hi everyone,
Im Liz and like everyone else I'm starting AA100 in October - I received Dr Faustus a few days ago and have skimmed through it and i have to say it looks very intimidating!! I have recently finished a short course in psychology, which I took to get me started in education again as i haven't studied for about 10 years. I am now studying towards a full degree and hoping to complete it in about 5 years time (studying part time as I work full time) then do a PGCE and go into teaching.
Good luck to everyone in their studies and hopefully this forum can be a source of support as I'm sure we'll all need it from time to time whilst on this course.
Suzanne Sinharay - Mon, 08/08/2011 - 15:24
Hi. I'm Suzie and I've just signed up to do this module. It may lead to more, I haven't really decided yet.
My day job is as a lawyer and I also have a family so hoping that I will be able to fit this in (I'm counting on my commuting time!). I'm in my mid-30s.
I'm off to see Dr Faustus at the Globe in September so I shall be looking forward to that segment of the course once it starts,
Abigail Collins - Mon, 22/08/2011 - 22:07
Hello Suzie, I was about to mention Dr Faustus and the Globe, you beat me to it. My daughter found it whilst buying tickets for something else. Neither of us have been to the Globe yet, so despite the unenthusiastic reviews, I think we will try and get tickets. I was relieved to see they have seats; I thought is was all standing. I had heard of Marlowe, and even have a copy of Dr Faustus, but have never read any of his plays, so I am looking forward to it. Hope we enjoy it more than the critics!
Kara Hayden - Tue, 09/08/2011 - 14:30
Hi Everyone!
I am also starting the AA100 course this October, i'm 18 years old and live just on the outskirts of Swindon. I finished college in July and am awaiting my A level results. I applied to University but decided that I wasn't ready to move away from home yet. I thought that the OU would be a really good option because it means I can stay at home and increase my hours at work whilst supporting myself during the course.
My aim is to gain a BA hons in Arts and Humanities degree with focus on Religious Studies. After this I aim to go onto teacher training (PGCE) with RS as my specialist subject. Feeling a bit nervous but looking forward to it at the same time.
Good luck to everyone studying!
Holly Palmer - Tue, 23/08/2011 - 13:28
Hey Kara! I live quite near Swindon. I'm glad to have someone who lives near on the same course as me.
Sue Walton - Thu, 11/08/2011 - 12:54
Hi Everyone
Im Sue and It's so nice to know there are people out there like me. I've just registered onto this module and keep going through waves of excitement and anticipation followed by absolute horror at what I've taken on!
I'm 35 with a little girl approaching 1 so my main concern is not having enough hours in the day but I'll give it my best shot. I'm also a bit of a techno-phobe and all this is completely new to me but I have decided its time to embrace the online world and all it has to offer with fervour!
I've made a start with the set texts and have to admit I also found them very intimidating at first, especially Dr Faustus. I'm actually really enjoying them now and they are not as scary as they first appear.
Good luck to everyone embarking on this journey of academic enlightenment! I'm looking forward to working with
Nick Hobbs - Sat, 13/08/2011 - 13:54
hi kirstie ,im starting the AA100 in oct as well .Making a start reading the Burial at Thebes .Hoping to progress to a B.A History
hi my name is angela williams. i'm 47 married, from south wales. i'm really nervous about being a mature student, but am really looking forward to doing the arts past and present course in oct. this is all new to me, not had any education since leave school in 1980 with 5 cse's!
Hi Angela, lets hold hands cos I'm a bit scared too
.
Welcome, Angela!
Scott
__________________
Member of the Platform team
@InScottLand
Im starting this one in October too...but unusually...it will be the final course of my degree!!!
I already have enough credit for an Open Degree...but I found out that if I do this course aswell, I can turn it into the BA Hons. in Humanities with Classical Studies.
Looking at the course content, it looks like a lot of fun and I hope to learn a lot from it.
Hi everyone,
Glad I found this platform, nice to know there are other people feeling like me!
I'm Kate, 33, single mum to my lovely 13month old baby boy. Currently working full time but leaving to go part time to concentrate on completing my degree (BA hons English Language and Literature) with a view to applying for my primary PGCE in 3 years time. I'm also starting this module in October and excited but nervous about it. I've already read through the books for the module and also watched the Dr Faustus DVD, would definately recommend this although it's not set material as such, helps to bring it to life a bit and a bit easier to grasp! I'm also studying 'up North', Darlington to be more precise.
Hi Kate
I'm Helen, I have just started the AA100 with the hope of completing a Degree in English Lang and Literature. I am 34 and have 2 children aged 3 and 8. I would also like to do a PGCE in 3 - 4 years, so we have the same goals :)
I hope you are enjoying the first part of the module :)
Hi,
I've just finished Y180 which was enjoyable and has hopefully eased me back in to studying ready for AA100 in October.
There are several students from the Feb 2011 Y180 intake who will be taking AA100 this October, and as a few of us are familiar via the Y180 forum it should mean there'll be anything but silence
In answer to Stephanie's question, the Getting Ready for AA100 web site, and in particular the AA100 Course Outline web page and the OpenLearn resource have a wealth of information regarding Doctor Faustus to get you started.
Hope you all enjoy studying AA100
Lee
Hi
I'm also starting AA100 in October, I 'm really looking forward to it.. Is there an easier way to find the forums? each time I log in I seem to find something different and not what i found the time before..Hope its making sense :0)
Good luck to everyone
Charlene
Hi Charlene
Best thing to do is bookmark the forums you think you'll come back to in your web browser so it's easier to find them when you want them. But can find links to all the forums, listed by faculty, on the Join In page on Platform here. But you may then have to do some hunting for the threads you're interested in, unless you bookmark them. We are working on making forums easier to find though, it's on my 'to do' list!
Hope that helps a bit, Robyn
__________________
Robyn Bateman (member of the Platform team)
Hi Robyn
Ive just found my way back again...Thanks for the help.I will bookmark this time :0s
Charlene :0)
Hi everyone,
I don't know if anyone saw 'The Impressionists' on BBC2 on Saturday night (8pm)? Well I think next Saturday it covers Cezanne which I know we look at in this module at some point. It was a really interesting programme and presented in a modern and quite quirky way which made it very watchable and not at all 'geeky'. Anyway I know nothing at all about Cezanne so thought I might give it a go and see what the next programme is like, just thought I would share this incase anyone else is interested.
Hi everyone,
I am also starting the AA100 in October, am very excited but a little worried as i am 30 and been out of education for over 12 years, but I am sure i will get into the swing of things. ;-)
Hi my name is Clare and i'm 28 and live in Kent.
This is my first qualification since GCSE's in 1999, so i'm really excited. Also nervous that I will be able to cope! But luckily my friend has already done AA100, so i've been given the heads up.
I've always wanted to do an English degree but have worked full time since school. But luckily due to shift work, I will have loads of free time to study. English was really the only subject I was interested in at school, so looking forward to getting stuck in.
I'm just off out to buy Doctor Faustus to make a start. I cannot wait for my box of goodies to arrive!!
Good Luck everyone!! xx
Im Jill, Im 33 and I live in Aberdeen. Bit nervous about the course too as Ive not studied for about 10 years. Excited about learning though!
Hi My name is Nik, I am 27 and I live in Norwich.
This will be my second attempt at this course, I originally started it back in 2008 but had to withdraw after a few months as had to return to Australia where my Dad is from due to a family issue. I've completed a 10 point science course last year and decided that the sciences are definitly not for me :) (passed that course though!), so I figured that this course would be the best one to start my degree in History.
This will be my second attempt at a degree as well, I dropped out of a French studies degree some years back and have always regretted it, so fingers crossed for this second attempt!
Good luck Nik - and welcome back to the OU!
__________________
Robyn Bateman (member of the Platform team)
Thanks Robyn, much appreciated :)
Hi again
I just received three books in the post this morning for the A100 module, including Dr Faustus. My son is actually in his third and final year at Uni, studying for a BA (Hons) History and English. I am hoping he will be able to help me a little, where I go wrong at times. He tells me that Dr Faustus is really good but I think I will purchase the DVD also, in the hope this will make it easier for me. I know my son is going on to take his Masters in History when he finishes his third year and will be busy himself so perhaps we can all help each other on here through time. I am in Northamptonshire, married for 23 years and have a son aged 21 and daughter coming on 17. Good luck for the A100 to everyone on here.
Jim
Hi everyone,
I'm Karen and I'm also starting my first OU course in October..
I'm 21, live in Bournemouth, originally from Denmark, work as a TA and looking to do a BA (hons) in English Language and Literature as a way of getting into teaching..
I'm very exited about this whole thing! :) ..Although having forced myself to read Dr. Faustus and try to understand it has worried me slightly.. Not gonna be easy.. Thanks for suggesting the DVD though, that may well help.
Good luck to us all.. :)
Hi everyone! I'm Leander, 30, from Sheffield. I have two daughters at 7 and 17 months, so I have my hands full already but I'm gonna give it my best shot. I'm starting this module in October towards an English BA. I am hoping to do a PGCE in secondary English. It's lovely to find you all here, I have only stumbled across this by accident, I have been using the open learn forum and there are some more of us Oct 11/12 on there so check it out. Look forward to working with you all, best of luck to everyone!
I'm waiting my 24 hours to see if I've passed this module. It's been a great course; a whole range of subjects to jump start your thinking process.
The best thing is that (often) you'll get a choice of two or three subjects on which to write your assignments. It really gives you room to breathe and adapt your own tastes and thoughts.
You've until October to begin?
Might I recommend some reading to help you get into the mood?
To me, it seemed as though the course focused mainly on morality and religion. Two subjects I am actually greatly interested in. Yes, we discussed and studied social scienes, natural sciences and art etc,. But the meat on the table was the changing zeitgeist in social opinion through the ages.
If you really want to prepare your mind for the questions inferred in this module, from my experience, I'd do a little reading on religious opinion, the change in social ethics and new and old philosophical enquiry regarding morality.
Sam Harris' "The Moral Landscape" is a great place to start, discussing the nature of morality in scientific terms, and it's affect on civilisation today. To contrast, reading Dr. Collins's book "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief" can balance the bias, and really give you a fun few months throwing back ideas of morality to and fro'.
Really, what I would advice (and this is by no means 'hardwork' in the 'I'm soooo bored' sense) is to get yourself a www.intelligencesquared.com subscription, watch 30434390 talks and debates on many subjects and perhaps watch some TED.com lectures.
At the end of the day, this course is designed to develop your academic thinking regarding different arguments and analysing different texts.
The key word is debate debate debate.
One thing's for sure though: when you finish, you'll feel 100x more 'worldly'
__________________
www.cmdouse.wordpress.com / md6876@my.open.ac.uk
Hi - having read the posts I'm definitely feeling like the Old Man of the group! I'm retired but promised myself that I'd get some (additional) education when I packed in formal work. I started OU'ing last summer with Y160 (Understanding the Arts - now Y180) and then moved on to A215 Creative Writing for the winter and spring and have just finished S186 Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunami's as I wanted to find out more about them. I've chosen AA100 as it is the foundation course for Humanities degrees and also fits in with Open Degree schedules. One thing I would say is that the forums are important and give a broader perspective to questions, problems and ideas. They avoid the 'suffering alone in a garret for my art's sake' syndrome.
Looking forward to the course and contacts.
Well Ron, you are not the only one feeling old. I am 52 and starting a new life, but I am glad to see other post 20 year olds out there, and I can assure you that there are times when the young ladies with new babies will feel far older than you at the end of the day.
I have to say I am a bit green with jealousy re your studying volcanoes and earthquakes; I love that sort of thing, but I am concentrating on art for the next few years. I did an A level in fine art 3 years ago at a school and decided I needed to improve on that, but I am really nervous about doing a uni course online as computer skills and machines are not my forte.
Enjoy this next module.
Hi everyone,
Im Liz and like everyone else I'm starting AA100 in October - I received Dr Faustus a few days ago and have skimmed through it and i have to say it looks very intimidating!! I have recently finished a short course in psychology, which I took to get me started in education again as i haven't studied for about 10 years. I am now studying towards a full degree and hoping to complete it in about 5 years time (studying part time as I work full time) then do a PGCE and go into teaching.
Good luck to everyone in their studies and hopefully this forum can be a source of support as I'm sure we'll all need it from time to time whilst on this course.
Hi. I'm Suzie and I've just signed up to do this module. It may lead to more, I haven't really decided yet.
My day job is as a lawyer and I also have a family so hoping that I will be able to fit this in (I'm counting on my commuting time!). I'm in my mid-30s.
I'm off to see Dr Faustus at the Globe in September so I shall be looking forward to that segment of the course once it starts,
Hello Suzie, I was about to mention Dr Faustus and the Globe, you beat me to it. My daughter found it whilst buying tickets for something else. Neither of us have been to the Globe yet, so despite the unenthusiastic reviews, I think we will try and get tickets. I was relieved to see they have seats; I thought is was all standing. I had heard of Marlowe, and even have a copy of Dr Faustus, but have never read any of his plays, so I am looking forward to it. Hope we enjoy it more than the critics!
Hi Everyone!
I am also starting the AA100 course this October, i'm 18 years old and live just on the outskirts of Swindon. I finished college in July and am awaiting my A level results. I applied to University but decided that I wasn't ready to move away from home yet. I thought that the OU would be a really good option because it means I can stay at home and increase my hours at work whilst supporting myself during the course.
My aim is to gain a BA hons in Arts and Humanities degree with focus on Religious Studies. After this I aim to go onto teacher training (PGCE) with RS as my specialist subject. Feeling a bit nervous but looking forward to it at the same time.
Good luck to everyone studying!
Hey Kara! I live quite near Swindon. I'm glad to have someone who lives near on the same course as me.
Hi Everyone
Im Sue and It's so nice to know there are people out there like me. I've just registered onto this module and keep going through waves of excitement and anticipation followed by absolute horror at what I've taken on!
I'm 35 with a little girl approaching 1 so my main concern is not having enough hours in the day but I'll give it my best shot. I'm also a bit of a techno-phobe and all this is completely new to me but I have decided its time to embrace the online world and all it has to offer with fervour!
I've made a start with the set texts and have to admit I also found them very intimidating at first, especially Dr Faustus. I'm actually really enjoying them now and they are not as scary as they first appear.
Good luck to everyone embarking on this journey of academic enlightenment! I'm looking forward to working with
hi kirstie ,im starting the AA100 in oct as well .Making a start reading the Burial at Thebes .Hoping to progress to a B.A History
Page 2 of 7