Hi there, I am taking this course starting in June '11, I thought I would start a thread for anyone wanting to chat about the course.
I'm a 43yr old chef who hasn't studied anything since completing my City & Guilds in Catering over 20 years ago, so I'm hoping the course won't be too hard. My job is very (summer) seasonal, so I'm reading up on WW1 poetry, Chartism & Suffragettes now before the course opens.
Hi.. My name's Kev - I'm also brand new to this learning malarky. I'm interested in philosophy and saw this particular introductory course and thought 'why not?'
Im 47 and not done any serious studying since I left college many moons ago. I work part-time(ish) nights. So, it's going to be a bit of a challenge. Getting anywhere near human after doing night-shifts is a challenge in itself!
Like Michael above who's started this thread off, I too am starting to gen myself up a bit on Chartism... completely alien to me, but already I've discovered it had die-hard members in North Staffs (where I live). So, already this particular subject has taken on something close to home. I've found a publication within the online library covering the impact of the Chartist members in North Staffs which I will read purely out of my own interest.
I'm in the process of finding some publication to do with the Suffragettes that is relevant to the course.
Hello,
I've signed up for "making sense of the arts" too. I have done a few evening classes since school but this is my first OU course.
I'm starting in June 11 too, and have also signed up for AA100 in October. Hoping to get a History degree. I have also started my OU Blog as well. Hopefully it will be interesting, because it looks like a long slog!
Hello
Looking forward to receiving the course material soon. I have signed up for AA100, too: the comments on the AA100 forum do give credence to 'long slog', Rob, but everyone seems to be coping okay.
Anyway, all best folks -
Doreen
Ahoy,
25 and unemployed - plenty of time on my hands at the moment.
Signed up for this course just to get a taster of OU study. Don't suppose I'm particularly interested in the topics on this module, but I want to do classical studies and religious studies afterwards.
I too have signed up for AA100 in October, then probably that new course they're advertising for May 2012- Making sense of material things.
Should be interesting! I suspect some of us could be crossing paths for a long time to come.
hi,
i've just signed up for the AA100 course in oct, still not quite sure what i have let myself in for [my highest gcse was a d in geography] but have started reading the world of christopher marlowe by david riggs its really brilliant and at the globe theatre in london they are dong dr faustus, i think i'm turning into a full on marlowe junkie.
Hi there
I'm Claire and I'm nearly 37. I have also joined up to start in June... Really looking forward to it, but am nervous too! I'm hoping I can fit it in with working (in a public library) and running round after my lively 3 yr old daughter!
Good luck everyone x
Hi Guys,
I've just got my confirmation through on Friday, this will be my first course since doing AS Levels at college, im nearly 20.
I have also signed up for the AA100 reckon this will be a great way to get ready for "long slog"!
Congratulations and all the best of luck to anyone who joins the Open University and is also working. It won't be easy and there may be tears, I can tell you from experience but it's so worth the effort and you will find it changes your life in so many ways. Everyone, including my kids, thought I was mad at 46 to start a degree as I was working as a waitress and only got 3 GCEs at school. By the time I finished I was an executive officer in a University department. (Not the OU). Learn how to treat every odd hour, or half hour as MY time and value it like gold dust.
Sounds like I'd better sign up for the AA100 as well.
I have done some of the online courses on the LearningSpace section of the OU website, A103_3 (Visual texts), A103_1 (Studying Arts & Humanities) and (LIB_1) Finding information in Arts and History. The latter course has some very useful information on newsreaders and online bookmarking, I have signed up for the free de.li.cious and Awasu services via it.
I also did an online lesson with the OU Library (which I found via the OU Facebook) which introduced database searching and library access with other universities.
If you want to browse my bookmarks on de.li.cious look for 'Mike Jarvis', friend requests and bookmark sharing gratefully accepted.
I have tried to set up a group forum in StudentHome, but at the moment I cannot invite anyone as your names are not showing up in the OU listings, perhaps this is because we have not started our first course yet. When the list updates I will invite everyone in.
Hi everyone, I too am rather nervous about this course, my main worry relates to my computer skills which are pretty much limited to surfing the internet and producing the odd word document, and to my punctuation skills which leave a lot to be desired.
Like most of you I have not studied properly since leaving school decades ago and so I have decided to take things one at a time and not sign up for anything beyond this one course to give me a chance to see how I manage working full time with part time study.
Good luck one and all
Hi I'm Cate
I'm starting Y180 too, hoping to go on to AA100 in October (bit nervous!) but it's nice to see so many others doing the same.
I'm sure we'll all be fine..!
Hi Everybody
It is nice to "meet" you all! I too am starting the course in June and I have signed up for AA100 to start in October on the provisal that I get on ok with the openings course.
I have a mixture of feelings regarding this study but the main one at the moment is excitement and i am looking forward to the nest couple of weeks when the study material should arrive.
I work in an office where one of the girls has graduated with an OU degree and another who is due to finish her degree in October with the OU. They have really inspired me to give it a go and who knows where i will end up?
I don't know if i have bittten off more than i can chew what with working full time and raising two year old twins but only time will tell!
I look forward to catching up with you all once the course starts.
Hi everyone
I also start this course in June, and like most of you, haven't studied since leaving college! I'm 31, work full-time administering a large and busy sixth form, am married and have an 11 year old daughter. This course is to test whether I have the time to study, and whether I want and have time to study towards a degree.
It's nice to know there's so many of us in similar situations, and thanks for some of the helpful tips
Best of luck to everyone
Julie
My course materials came in the post on Thursday, did you all get yours ? And are you waiting for the official start date, or getting going right away ?
Hi Michael, my course material also arrived on Thursday and I am looking through it tonight. I am a bit reluctant to start before any contact with the course tutor in case I go and do the wrong thing, I know that getting ahead of the game is probably a good idea but as my poor deceased granny used to say "he who plans early plans twice". Was she wise? was she lazy? who knows?
Good luck
Hi Paula
Try reading through your course material and getting used to the academic lanugage used and type of exercises you are going to do during the course. Then you will be able to ask your tutor if there is anything you don't understand and it could save you some valuable time. Don't forget you will only see your tutor for a short time and they are there to help you, so don't be afraid to ask plenty of questions. Have fun and good luck with the course.
hi hope ur all good after just finishing the y160 last month i hope to start the aa100 course in october. i am currently a volunteer at newlyn art gallery and the exchange penzance.would love to talk to anyone starting aa100 or if u have any other comments thanks take care all!cornwall.
dont forget to start your pre course online courses and if anyone wants to contact me feel free thanks!!!! I am currently looking for sources of information upon postcards and seaside involvment would be grateful for any resourses thanks
Hi
I have been a little bit excited and impatient i'm ashamed to say and have made a start on the materials already! Not too much though as i really don't want to go off on the wrong track. In conjuction with the Good Study Guide i have made a schedule for the coming week and have listened to the Bob Dylan song. I will be working on a draft learning agreement so that i will have something to discuss at my first tutorial with my tutor.
I can't wait for the course to start for real though!
Hi
Also starting in June and intend to sign up for AA100 if all goes well. Have had a provisional look at the material and am looking forward to starting the course.
I have made a start as the planner says we might not get a tutor until week 2 anyway.
I have contacted a few people over on Facebook, if you search on Michael Jarvis Ilkley it should come up with the correct MJ.
If anyone is using de.li.cious for online bookmarking (and it is really useful) I am Yorkshiresoul1 / Mike Jarvis on there, I have 120+ mostly course relevant bookmarks.
Hello all, I'm due to start this course also in june i signed up late though so my courses matierials should be here very soon i'm quite excited. i've not done any studying since i left school. I'm 23 and currently a stay at home mum to a 4yr old and 2yr old. i'm hoping to go on to the AA100 in october providing i cope ok with this course first.
Hi,
I recieved my course material last week and have already read through the first chapter. It seems a little bit boring at the moment, mainly because it is introducing you to uni style work. Once we get into the course properly I guess the course will become a lot more interesting. Just hoping that I will enjoy it as much as I anticipated I would. I am hoping to continue on to the AA100 as many of you have also done so. It is a totally different learning style for me since 6th form, I am hoping to get the most out of this starters course.
Hi, I'm also starting this course in June ( next week! ) Like many of you I haven't studied for years now, I'm nervous but also looking forward to it. I found it bit daunting when the materials arrived, not even sure where to start! I've had a look through the books but haven't really started yet. I also want to do a History degree but like Paula ( who's Granny's comment is great ) and Adam thought I'd see how I got on with this first working full-time shift work.
Andrea - what pre-course online courses do you mean??!!
Good Luck everybody!!
I don't get the study schedule. Maybe its just me. I know what I've got to do, what time I have ot do it and when Ineed to do it by but I am not sure how to put this onto paper. I have completed Chapter 1 and will proably re-read it soon, but will carry on with Chapter 2.
Hya Rob, I'm not sure what you meant with the study schedule. if I can help in any way feel free to get in touch...
Good luck to us all...
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