Hi All,
I'm strongly considering embarking on an OU degree in Psychology.
Coming to the realisation that I want to do a degree at the age of 30 means that attending a conventional university would be very difficult due to travel costs and work commitments (not to mention stringent entry requirements).
After visiting a university recently (enjoyed chatting with course tutors etc) I started to wonder about how lonely and isolated studying with OU might be...
Obviously, I appreciate that the point of OU is that you can fit it in around life commitments. However, surely a subject like Psychology would benefit from group discussion? How easy is it to learn from a youtube video, as opposed to a human teacher actually engaging you in person?
In short, what I would like to know is: Is there any social aspect to OU at all, beyond message boards etc?
Many Thanks in advance for any replies.
Cheers! Oli.
Hi Oli,
I can understand your worries about feeling isolated, as I felt exactly the same when I started my OU degree. However, that is definitely not how I feel about things now...
For starters, there have been face-to-face and online tutorials for all my modules so far, although I do think the frequency of these vary depending on your course choice.
There are also online forums exclusive to your tutor group. I've found these much more reassuring, as you'll have met most of them at some point, whereas things like this are open to everyone (which can sometimes feel a bit impersonal if you're not very confident online).
To be honest, I don't think many people have the time to find the OU lonely, slotting it in around work and family etc makes life seem pretty busy... but if I ever have moments of feeling unsure I peruse the selection of 'OU' blogs I have bookmarked- it's comforting to know that other people have the same worries you do, and it's always helpful to see how they tackle them.
If you have any more questions please feel free to contact me directly (you can message me through my blog: http://doingittheopenway.wordpress.com/ )
Good Luck!
Darragh
P.S. A few of the OU blogs I read...
http://myopenadventure.wordpress.com/
http://maturestudenthanginginthere.wordpress.com/hello/
http://www.magentawrites.co.uk/
http://www.poetryafterink.com/
(I'm partial to literature/arts themed stuff, but there's an extensive list of blogs written by OU students here: http://www8.open.ac.uk/platform/blogs)
Hi Oli!
I came to the OU after doing a year and a half at Kent Uni so I have experienced both worlds.
Contrary to what Darragh said, I definitely had time to be lonely as I only worked part time whilst studying, but I balanced this out with lots of hobbies (and I also attend a Swedish class once a week to achieve that classroom experience!)
I have done four courses with the OU but have only been to tutorials for two of them due to work commitments. They make a big difference if you can get to them - although I haven't made any amazing friends, I've certainly made friends that I feel I can talk to should such a study crisis arise!
I tend to avoid the forums as they do have the tendency to be full of 'know-it-alls' who have complete their TMAs two months before they are due in and always seem to know infinitely more on the subject than you do! Despite this, they are helpful places, so don't be too scared ;)
To be honest I didn't miss the social aspect of 'real' university too much. Sometimes the social aspect can overwhelm you and I know I certainly didn't work as hard at Kent as I have done with the OU because there were constant distractions!
I have finished my studies with the OU for now (provided I pass my Independent Essay, argh!) but whilst I was stuying a kept a blog and you can check it out here:
http://alwaysopenallhours.wordpress.com/
I will probably do a nice big closing entry when I have my final results, summing up my whole experience.
Good luck in whatever you choose!
Nikki x
Hi Olli, I did my first OU course last year and ended up having loads of fun with it. Once you have attended the first tutor session or before you can arrange to meet up with everyone in the area on your course for a drink.
Just relax and enjoy the opportunities that's my advice.
I rarely felt lonely while working on my online management degree. I managed to get in touch with a few of my colleagues in the area and we all came together and studied, asked each other questions and formed strong bonds. You can always socialize more, you just have to really want it.