Through a taster session run by the OU’s community partnership scheme, at Castle Green Children’s Centre where Kerry was volunteering, she found out about Openings courses and how she could get financial assistance to study with the OU.
Discovering Openings Courses
At the taster session I met Gaynor Gardner (OU Community Partnerships Manager) and she highlighted the pros and cons of Open University study to me. We discussed my current situation, that I was studying level 2 counselling skills at my local FE College in the evenings and how I could not afford the fees for the diploma study. I found out the OU helps to support people like me and that my Openings courses would be fully funded by the OU.
Flexible study fits in with family life
My discussion with Gaynor opened my eyes to studying from home. It would mean I could fit my study in around my son who was barely two at the time and being sent to my parents while I attended college one night per week. I no longer had to alter his routine, I could work from home and attend a weekly study group with other students where I learnt study skills which built a foundation for me when writing my assignments. It was so helpful having a study group of other mature students who, like me, had slumps in study motivation. They were always there to encourage me and I was elated when I received a distinction on the Openings module Y183 Starting with Psychology.
Taking studies to the next level
Following the Openings course I am now studying towards a BSc (Honours) Psychology and have done several modules towards this degree.
An increased confidence and new opportunities
I have increased confidence in my abilities and feel happy to promote OU study wherever I go. I have been lucky enough to speak about my OU experience at the NIACE conference 2012 and at a recent Vice-Chancellor’s Lunch and publicly thank Gaynor and the OU for the support, guidance and structure they have given to my studies and my life.
I chair my local Children’s Centre Parent Forum and the Barking and Dagenham borough-wide Parent Board. Through OU study I have realised that, as a parent and a student, I have a voice.
Setting goals
I had a goal 18 months ago to become a counsellor but because of my studies and the opportunities I’ve had, I now visit the weekly study group for new OU Openings students and speak with them about how they are finding their studies and encourage them to believe in themselves as students and their work.
As a result of this work I have a new goal. Once I have completed my degree I intend to study further and become a teacher/tutor for adult learners.
Volunteering and supporting new OU students
I have just been offered the opportunity to facilitate a short training course in conjunction with a local Children’s Centre where I will be teaching parents about internet safety and cyberbullying and I will continue my studies with OU whilst volunteering in my various roles, and I will be attending the weekly study groups at Castle Green Children’s Centre to speak with the new students and give them the encouragement and guidance that I received. My fellow students from Dagenham (where the children’s centre is based) have become an extended family and we are all there to support one another and this is what we like to encourage in all new students.
Support during your studies
My greatest challenge was earlier this year when my mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer She became very ill very quickly and passed away 12 weeks after diagnosis. Around this time I was completing two modules DSE141 and SDK125 and I was due to start D240. I had end of module assignments to submit and an exam date for SDK125. Student services gave me such wonderful support, deferring my exam so I was able to spend precious time with my parents and sibling in my mums final days. My biggest fear was that I would be in an exam room far away when she passed away and thanks to student support I was able to be with her and concentrate on making her comfortable instead of cramming for an examination. My tutors were brilliantly supportive granting me extensions on assignments, This is where I feel OU differs from other higher education establishments as I doubt I would have been able to continue studying elsewhere. I feel this was also my greatest success as I was able to complete all three modules.
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