Starting With Psychology

34 replies [Last post]

- Tue, 09/08/2011 - 16:53

Hi there,

I am starting a course in November "starting with psychology" and was wondering if anyone else out there is doing this course. Would love to discuss once it has begun, bounce ideas off each other. Also Anyone who has doen this course.. what is it like? I am studying towards forensic psycholgy. Very nervous but very excited

Andy Fraser - Wed, 10/08/2011 - 13:05

Hi Kelly,

I'm due to begin the "Starting with Psychology" (Y183) on the 1st of September... are you starting the same one? I'm then starting DSE 141 in November so I want to get Y183 done (or as close as possible) by then...! Just out of curiosity... which qualification are you working towards? I'm going for Criminology & Psychological Studies...BSc.

I'm getting nervous now but I can't wait to start.

Andy

April Ward - Wed, 10/08/2011 - 17:19

Hi, Iam starting the introducing to health sciences in october, it is the first course iam taking with open uni, to hopefully start gaining a degree in psychology. Iam really nervous about it as iam going to be working full time too, and iam not quite sure of how studying and information is accessed and submitted and the general 'how its done' stuff. If anyone is able to settle my nerves and/or going to be studying this course too i'd like to make friends! LOL

Andy Fraser - Wed, 10/08/2011 - 18:28

Hi April,

I'm feeling pretty nervous too and I'm wondering how I can fit in all the study around working full time in the substance misuse field which is stressfull in itself and also with kids... got twin boys age two and they are into everything now..!

If you set yourself realistic goals regarding study time and try and stick to it you'll be fine. Not always easy, I know, but once you get used to it you'll be ok. Have you joined any of the forums relating to your subject? I'm logging in every day to check if anyone else is starting the same module at the same time as me and introducing myself... seems like a pretty good way to meet people in the same boat.

Hope this helps...? Feel free to keep in touch and best of luck to you with your courses!

Regards,

Andy

Kells Mac - Thu, 11/08/2011 - 16:07

Hi April. Kells here. I'm not doing the exact same course as you, i'm doing introduction to psychology. Just to get myself back into it all. I'm very nervous but excited as well. I will be doing social sciences as well and working towards psychology degree then work towards criminal psychology/forensic psychology. Are you stopping at psycholgy or going further. I'm also hoping that I have enough time to study as I work away from home at events. The season dies down for us in Novemeber but the company I work for is taking more and more jobs on each year. Will def have to be strict with myself. x

Kells Mac - Thu, 11/08/2011 - 16:02

Hi Andy. Yeah im doing the Y183 but in November as I work away from home allot at events. The season dies down again in November for me. I'm going to do my Y183 first then progress from there. I'm working towards criminal psychology/forensic psychology. Nervous about starting education again but very excited at the same time. It's going to take maybe 6-8 years to complete(so i've been told) but i'm only 28 so bring it on. Been an interest of mine for many years. Will have to pick your brains when I start. whoop whoop

Andy Fraser - Thu, 11/08/2011 - 19:36

Hi Kells,

I'm 38 and only just starting out on this degree thing... will probably head down the Forensic Psychology route myself!

Sounds like you're busy... when you say events would I be right in thinking festivals and the like? I haven't had chance to go for a few years... jealous... he he.

Keep in touch and I'll let you know how the Y183 course goes.

Take care

Andy...

Kells Mac - Fri, 12/08/2011 - 17:06

Hi Andy,

Yeah the company I work for is SEP. We do all kinds of events from car shows, dogshows, horse racing and festivals. I can't wait until it starts but i'm nervous. It has been a interest of mine since I was 16..12 years now. I'm finally going to go through with it. I've always wanted to sit in a room with different types of offenders and see what goes on in thier minds. Criminal and forensic psychology has always facinated me. I know it is going to be a struggle with work and study but it's worth while. Will def keep in touch for a debate and a chat

April Ward - Fri, 12/08/2011 - 17:53

Hi Andy and Kells, Thanks for the reply, it sounds like youve both got a lot on! You asked if ive joined any subject forums and the amswer to this is.. 'i think i have' :-/ iam not really in the loop with how forums and things work yet, but iam hoping i'll pick it up along the way! I dont know how i'll find it not actually having any course mates to juggle ideas and things around which is partly why iam wanting to talk to people..

good luck with your studys and stay in touch(and please if you find out anything that you think might help, please let me know, as i will you!

April x

Andy Fraser - Sat, 13/08/2011 - 08:59

Hi April,

You've already found the Psychology forum which will no doubt be a great help once you find your feet. It's a good idea to try and introduce yourself on as many as you can... also the regional ones. Where in the country are you? I'll find the link you need to your region and post it on here for you if you can't find it. Keep in touch.

Andy

Kells Mac - Mon, 15/08/2011 - 16:31

Hi April.

I've never done thise before either. We may not be doing the same cousre but i'm willing to help in anyway I can, either bouncing ideas off of each other and being a test subject for you. Hope the coiurse goes well. Keep in touch.

kells x

April Ward - Tue, 16/08/2011 - 13:03

Hi Kells,

again, thanks for the reply, yeah it would be good to be able to bounce around ideas and things, it will be nice to be able to have others to speak to when we're feeling a little stuck on things! stay in touch! :-)

April x

Kells Mac - Wed, 17/08/2011 - 12:17

Hello,

That will be good. Cheers. Do you want my email address?

April Ward - Thu, 18/08/2011 - 14:47

Hi Kells,

Yeah that would be good, mine is aprilkellyward@yahoo.co.uk

April x

Kells Mac - Thu, 18/08/2011 - 19:03

_{mine is kmccaffrey@hotmail.co.uk.}

_{Look forward to hearing from you and chatting x}

Andy Fraser - Sat, 13/08/2011 - 09:04

Hi Kells,

It is fascinating... I work in the substance misuse sector and my main role is as an arrest referral worker so I spend a lot of time working in police custody with offenders, the majority of which are high risk drug users. I want to branch out into the prison side of things, especially lifers and the like. I'm sure you'll be fine with your courses and if I can help just let me know. Enjoy...!

Andy

Kells Mac - Sun, 14/08/2011 - 06:02

Hi again,

It is fascinating, you get to see all kinds of people with different personalities, but it's not something I want to do for the rest of my life. Even though I like my job I don't wake up thinking I can't wait to go to work today. I thought it was about time that I put the money where my mouth is and do something.Yours sounds interesting though. Howe long have you done your job?

Andy Fraser - Sun, 14/08/2011 - 08:42

I've worked in the drug and alcohol for about three years. Before that I worked with ex-offenders and also with homeless people. I haven't always done that... I spent 10 years in the army, then as a crane operator/ technician until I decided on a total career change. Like you, I didn't used to get up and feel excited about going to work. I love what I do at the moment... great place to work and my colleagues are fantastic. I just feel I need to do this to hopefully go into more indepth work with offenders and possibly forensic profiling. Loved it before... especially working with people out of prison on life licence... really interesting. I bet you'll miss the festivals etc. when you change your career?

Andy

Kells Mac - Sun, 14/08/2011 - 19:13

WOW. That sounds amazing what you do. I have always said that I couldn't go back to a normal 9-5 job after doing what I do now. We spend most of the time i a caravan travelling round to different jobs. The longets stint we do away from home is 3months solid working with no days off. Sometimes we do 18-21 hour shifts at a festival 3 days running. So if I went back to a normal job then it would be difficult. Find it hard when we are at home for 3 days. . It is the same work everywhere at each event but it's never the same experience, you're always learning different things each time, meeting all kinds of people. The collugues I work with are great, we are all like one big family(i see more of these guys than my own family) but it's time now to do what I want to do in life. Forensic profiling has always triggered something in me.

My family think i'm strange as I would love to sit in a room with all types of offenders and see what goes on in thier minds....what triggers them to offend and if they know why. Looking foward to the years ahead learning. Also going to look into volunteer work when the cousre starts to get some experience and extra knowledge.. just looking into that this week.

Andy Fraser - Mon, 15/08/2011 - 14:11

I really enjoy what I do that's why I want to branch out even further. You mention voluntary work... my advice is 'go for it'...! That's how I started out when I headed in this direction. Due to my own experiences I decided I wanted to get into the substance misuse side of things and started volunteering for the drug and alcohol agency in Manchester which I accessed for support. Try these links... you might be able to find something you really want to do in your area.

http://www.do-it.org.uk/

http://www.volunteering.org.uk/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Gettinginvolvedinyourcommunity/Volunteering/index.htm

Or you might already have something in mind...! I would recommend it though as you will receive plenty of training and support, it looks attractive on your CV for future employers and you'll get so much satisfaction from it. It'll be nice to hear how you get on.

Keep safe.

Andy...

Kells Mac - Mon, 15/08/2011 - 16:28

thanks for that. Will let you know how i get on.

April Ward - Tue, 16/08/2011 - 12:48

Hey Andy,

Iam in the sheffield area, ill have a look see if i can find my region, i didnt know you could join a region forum, so already you've proven to be helpful :-)

April

April Ward - Tue, 16/08/2011 - 13:06

hey Andy, Iam really sorry, but iam most certainly still useless at this forum stuff! I have had a look for the region thing, and really dont know where to look or find it! Help would be very appreciated! :-)

April x

Andy Fraser - Tue, 16/08/2011 - 13:12

Hi April,

If you go to studenthome and look down the left hand side you will find OU Student Association forums... in there you will find more forums with subjects and regions... or you can follow this link and it will take you straight to the Yorkshire regional forums... hope this helps? My email is

andyf3050@gmail.com

it might make it easier to keep in touch rahter than navigating the OU website which, to be honest, is quite complicated.

Thanks,

Andy...x

Andy Fraser - Tue, 16/08/2011 - 13:13

Sorry April,

Forgot the link...

http://learn.open.ac.uk/mod/resourcepage/view.php?id=580510

Andy...x

April Ward - Tue, 16/08/2011 - 21:19

Hi Andy, thank you for the link! Iam pleased to hear its not just me that thinks its complicated!

My email is aprilkellyward@yahoo.co.uk

thank you for yours..

April x

Emma O'Brien - Wed, 24/08/2011 - 13:01

Hello Everyone,

Reading the above comments gets me even more excited to be doing this course...I'm doing Starting with psychology on the 1st Sept. Very nervous as I worry i won't be disaplined enough. I'm a single mum of 2 who are 2 and 1.....So when their bed time comes around i like to just flop on the sofa or have a friend come round. I haven't been in disaplined education since 2006! Im doing a mixture of Criminology and Psychology, Something to do with offenders, prison work or mental health with the criminaly insane. I'd like a regular correspondence with people on this course as im sure I'll need help! xx Good luck everyone!

Stephanie Lewis - Wed, 21/09/2011 - 12:07

Hi everyone!

I am studying towards BSc IT and Computing with a secondry subject of Psychology. I am really excited about the Psychology piece and start with DSE141 (Discovering Psychology) in November.I have been studying with OU for a few years now but had a break for the last 12 months. Cant wait to get back into the swing of things.I am based in Liverpool.Steph

Emma Potter - Mon, 24/10/2011 - 20:16

Hello everyone

I'm a bit late to be looking at the forums now, but I'm starting this course too.

Has anyone else looked through the Survival guide section of StudentHome and watched the videos? I think they have made me more nervous not less!

Emma

Kells Mac - Thu, 27/10/2011 - 09:37

Hi Emma,

Yeah ive looked at the intro on the dvd and also had a look at the book.... Getting very nervous now but excited. Had my desk delivered yesterday, spent 5 hours putting it together... My husband didnt want to do the man thing and help as I always say to him, I CAN DO IT... and guess what I did it.. Just hoping it stays together. I think once we get into it I think we'll be ok. I think we'll be able to help each other

Sheila Currie - Sun, 30/10/2011 - 17:47

Hi i am also starting this course. Have not studied for such a long time so i am very nervous. I am more terrified of using the computer as i am not very good at it and i think i found this section on the ou by pressing on every option. Dont know if i will ever find it again. Sheila

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Starting With Psychology

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