Y180 - Making Sense of the Arts - June 2012 Start

I'm Carole and happy to see someone else has already signed up for this! I want to see whether I like studying again and whether I can deal with it eating up some of my free time, as it's five years since I left school, and since I work part-time, I'm used to having a lot of free time.  I also want to see if I'm capable of doing university style work, as although I had good results at school, I always preferred facts to analysis and I need to see if that's changed.  But I'm looking forward to the challenge, and I hope that being five years older helps.

I was thinking of doing a History degree if I want to commit to studying over the longer term, but I also quite like the idea of doing Humanities so I could combine it with something else - maybe Art History, if I like that part of the course, because it's something that, not being artistic myself, I've never really looked at in any depth but I think could be fascinating, or possibly creative writing.  I guess that as, if I decide to continue after this course, I'll be studying AA100, A150 and A151 regardless, I will have until 2014 to change my mind.

I'm reluctant to read about the specific things covered by the course, especially on the History side, because I always found at school that if I did my own reading, I used to get frustrated when class didn't go into as much depth.  But on the other hand, I'm desperate to do something to prepare and stop myself getting impatient, because June seems so far away.  So I'm not really sure what to do in the meantime.

I don't know if there'll be anyone else in my age bracket on the course (I'm 23 in a couple of weeks) but it feels weird to be starting out on the university journey when most of my friends have finished, or will be finishing soon.  It was the right path for me, though - if I'd gone to uni at 18 or 19 it would have been a disaster.  I never expected to end up returning to education, but suddenly it just felt right.

 Hi Carole,

I am definately going to to be doing AA100 and A151 regardless of where I go from there. I'm 33 (a young 33!) and this is my second degree. My first is in Performance and Theatre which I did many moons ago. I've always had a keen interest in History and did study at A'level but never had the confidence to take it further. 

I'm just doing a bit of background reading on First World Poetry and Wilfred Owen so that when we come to start I will have read through a selection of the poems already. I didn't really know too much about him so it has so far being a worthwhile task doing some background reading. 

I think by trying your hand at university now is not such a bad thing. I had a few friends at university in their mid twenties when I was 19. They had done so much more so when it came to writing experiences as plays and things like that, they had alot more to talk about. I suppose you have to be in the right frame of mind to want to study at this level. If you do ever want to swap ideas or maybe set up a study group once we get started then do let me know!

I'm going to keep posting anything I have found particuarly helpful in my pre course reading for anyone that stumbles across this conversation!

Saira x

hi, im emma and im also signed up for y180.   im a single mother with a disabled child and working towards a BA honours English lang+lit.

Im doing Y180, AA100, A230, U214, EA300, E303, AA306 and AA316.

Ive been out of education for 10 years so im doing Y180 to ease myself into to it(hopefully)!

 Hi Emma,

Hooray! Another June starter! Looks like we three are going on to AA100 which is good! I think we are all doing this module to get back into studying again - I'm looking forward to it. I did English Lit for A'level and loved the authors we had to study. I became and Ian McEwan fan as a result.

Nice to 'meet' you and hopefully we can all help and support eachother?

Saira x

Hi all

I'm also starting Y180 in June - slightly older than all of you so far!  At this stage I'm not certain where it's going to take me, I'm leaning towards a History degree but keeping an open mind at this stage.  Looking forward to making a start, and wondering whether to get going on some background now.

Look forward to keeping in touch - what part of the country are you all from?  I live in Bewdley (Worcestershire)

Lyn x

Hi Lyn,

I'm in London (North East) - doing some background reading into the Chartist movement and WW1 poetry. I started doing a few of the of the open learn modules a few weeks ago which have proved interesting and helpful for the next set of modules I want to take. Hoping to follow the ancient history route.

Saira x

 Hi Saira, Carole, Emma and Lyn

My name is Irene, I have just turned 50, and have decided to pursue some study again. I am taking Y180 as a gentle reminder of how to study, with a view to completing modules in Literature and Creative Writing.

I live in Cheshire, have four children (all grown, two still at University), and work in a (mainstream) school supporting children with learning difficulties. I also run a copy-editing business, and have done for about 25 years.

I am returning to learning after having done a first degree in Physics - I graduated in 1983 - and now prefer to look at the arts rather than the sciences.

It is lovely to 'meet' you all. I am going to have a look at some of the poetry upfront, mainly because, like you Carole, I am impatient to get going, but I also take your point re the depth of learning. 

It is Mother's day today and my eldest daughter thinks this is a great idea! I promised myself on my 50th birthday that I would set myself a challenge, and this is it.

Here's to us, and the others who follow. 

Irene x

Hi Irene,

Hope you had a pleasant Mother's Day today. My mum got thoroughy spoilt! Really nice to know that there are a few us starting in June. I was hoping that people would respond - not just to me but to everyone who has said 'hello' so far! It's interesting learning about why were are all students with the OU. I'm still reading through WW1 poetry and really eager to start!

Hopefully we will all keep in touch before and during the course.

Saira x

Great to see a few of us signed up already, although I see we're still waiting for our first bloke

On the background front, I'm considering looking at the art side a bit, because I've never really looked at Art History and it's something that I might end up pursuing if I like it, because I think it could be fascinating.  It's hard to tell, though, from the module description what we will be studying, apart from the reference to Turner Prize winners, so I'm not quite sure where to begin.

Poetry was never something I really enjoyed at school, so I'm worried if I look at it without the structure of a study plan, I might end up scaring myself.

Coincidentally, a week ago I was at a Western Front Association meeting, and the subject of the talk was the Battle of the Sambre, where Wilfred Owen was killed.  The speaker was keen to make sure he was only a footnote, though, and I can understand that, because his death was no more tragic than any of the other men who were killed that day, it's just that he happens to be better known.

I think my A-Level history course may have briefly touched on the Suffragettes but I can't remember much if it did, and Chartism will be completely new ground.  I'm a complete history geek but most of my focus has been on Medieval/Tudor England, so it's kind of nice to have fresh subjects for this course, because if it was something I was familiar with, I'd likely be wanting to put a whole lot of irrelevant information into assignments, which is why I'm a little wary of background reading.  I can understand why some of you are doing it, but I don't trust myself to stop after getting an overview, and if I end up with more in depth knowledge than the course covers, I'll just end up being really frustrated.  I will, however, read into the subjects more after the course if they interest me.

In the short term, however, this just means I'm stumped for ideas on what to do to relieve my impatience a bit.  I can't even go out and buy things to help with studying, because I'll be using my netbook most of the time and the only thing I can think of at the moment that I'll definitely need before I have the study materials and more details, are pencils (and therefore sharpeners and rubbers) to make notes on the aforementioned study materials, because I'll be loath to use a permanent thing like a pen.

Oops, double posted when the site was being slow and I was impatient! :( Sorry!

 Hi Carole,

Totally understand your frustration at wanting to start doing something! I think I am just over eager and it may be to my detriment! I studied Chartism at A'level but love Medieval and Tudor History like you - I have just been watching the programme 'She Wolves' which was interesting but unfortunately the presenter was a little bit monotone! 

I don't understand Art History at all and I know I will really struggle with it. I'm not sure what I am supposed to be looking for half the time and modern art completely stumps me. 

I've bought some post it notes and have plenty of pencils to get started though...... 

I'm reading the book instead because I tend to get frustrated at the lack of detail in TV stuff - I already know quite a bit about each of the women individually, especially Isabella, but I'm looking forward to seeing them placed in context of each other.

The British half of my history A-level (the other half was Russian history) covered a period starting just before 1900 through to the years just after WW2, so I've never come across Chartism, and to be honest I've never really looked much at history between 1603 and 1900.

I was never arty myself, and Art at school was all practical and never really looking at the history of it, so I'm looking forward to having a go at it, but I can understand not getting modern art... I'd rather look at older stuff too, and I guess I might have to wait till AA100 to see if Art History is something I'd want to pursue or not.

Totally with you on the "over eager" bit - just my luck that I made the decision at a time that means I have to wait two and a half months for the course to start.

I know! Hopefully I won't burn out by the time the course starts! I did British and European History for A'level - French Revolution, Unification of Italy and all that stuff. British History was 1789 - 1900 so quite a big time frame but I did subjects like Chartism, Industrial Revolution and British Politics - some may yawn at these topics but I loved them! What a geek

Hello, Can I join you all? I'm starting Y180 in June aswell, but looking to take the English Literature route.

I'm ridiculously excited to get back into education. I studied both History and English Literature at A Level, so hoping I'll really enjoy this course.

I've been doing quite a bit of back ground reading lately, but general 'Advanced English Liteature' textbooks, that cover both novels and poetry. You know you're a book geek when you enjoy reading about how to read a book!

I'm quite lucky, during my gsce and A level History we covered the Suffragette movement and chartism, but Art History is completely new to me, and if I'm honest, not something I'm particularly interested in.

Saira, you're not the only geek don't worry. I loved the Industrial Revolution! It was the year we won the Rugby World Cup, and I saw the name 'Jonathon Wilkinson' in my revision guide (one of the 5 iron masters) and just because of his name, did more research on him. Sat down to do my end of year exam, and the highest mark essay question was all about him! Very, very lucky!

I'm down in Devon, 23, and have two young children running around me all day!

x

 Hi Emma,

Lovely to 'meet' you - someone with a different study plan! Have you got an idea of the modules you will be taking for your English Literature route? Have you got a favourite author? 

I love that we are all so keen to get started too - I dug out my A'level History text books yesterday and quite a few are relevant to the modules I hope to do even though I used them back in 1994! 

Keep in touch! 

 Hi all!

Forgot to say - I'm trying out the 'Making Sense Of Art History' in Openlearn to see if I can get my head around the subject. Not too impressed by the concrete house I must say but let's keep an open mind......

Hi there

Just signed up for the course this week. I'm 51, from Edinburgh, I do voluntary work. I'm trying out this course to see how I get on and then see where I go from there. Haven't studied since the late 70's and now feeling a bit nervous. Looking forward to it though.

Hi Angela,

It seems the women have a monopoly on this course so far! Nice to 'meet' you. I'm sure the others will say hello at some point  What do you think you might be interested in studying? Or are you going to see what you most enjoy during this course? Incidentaly as a history geek I love Edinburgh - also took a few shows there for the Edinburgh festival a few years ago!

I think everyone feels a bit nervous about studying again or for the first time so hopefully we can all help each other.

Saira x

 Hi Saira.

I don't really know yet, buy I love history too. I'll take a look at 'Making Sense Of Art History' in Openlearn, thanx for the idea. Isn't Edinburgh great, glad you liked it. I'm trying to get my head around the website just now, may need to call the help team.

Ang x

 Hi I'm Carrie, I'm doing Y180 in June too!

Very excited about getting back into study. I already have a degree in Arts Education but I really want to go on to do a masters in Art history so I thought I'd do a few undergrad modules first to get my brain back into gear. However Iv managed to let one of the advisors talk me into doing a 2nd degree so I'm now registered for the BA Hummanities (Art History pathway!)

Not sure how it happend but very excited.

I'm disabled with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and POTS which makes my day to day life very unpredictable due to chronic exhaustion, chronic pain and weekly hospital visits. I'm worried about how il cope with studying now as I wasn't ill when i did my first degree. It will be great to know Im not doing this alone and many of you ladies sound as daft as a brush as me...looking forward to studying with you.

cx

 Hi Carrie!

Nice to hear from you - I'm trying to get the cob webs of my brain cells too by doing some of the Open Learn modules before we start properly in June. 

I'm sure you will be fine with studying, I suppose the good thing with the OU is that it comes to you rather than having to rush around to different lectures all day. I'll speak for myself and say that daft as a brush just about sums me up. I have quite a demanding job working in cricket and this course starts just as the season gets in full swing so I will be hiding in cupboards to get my course work done  If you need any support once we start just let me know. Even if it is too get a different (or the same) perspective on anything we are studying at the time. Keep in touch! 

Saira x

Hi all

I'm Sue and I've signed up for Y180 starting in June, and I'm looking forward to meeting those old war poets again ('did' them for O' Level in 19 mumble mumble!)

I live in Cheshire and I have two teenagers who try to keep me plugged in to modern life...as I lost my first message to  you, I'm not sure being 'plugged in' is my strong point!

Anyway, I am currently volunteering as I was made redundant last year, so I've taken to p.t. study in an attempt to keep my brain functioning. I've done S154 Science starts here, and just finished SK124 Understanding autism. Bit scared to do a 60 pointer tho' so I'm back for another 15 point module. Ideally I'd like to move on to AA100, but that depends very much on finances. (Not eligible for financial help as hubby works.)

I'm looking forward to 'speaking' to you all, and hope to be able to find my way back here!!

Hi All,

Glad you seem like a friendly bunch. I am also starting Y180 in June and am hoping to go down the English Literature route.

I am 25 and have a toddler, I am also due to give birth to my second baby in August - part way through the course - not ideal I know but had I have waited until next year I would not be able to afford the fees and therefore would not be able to do my degree at all :-(

Anyway, I am very excited to be starting my education again and getting slightly impatient too!

I look forward to getting to know you all!

Michelle