Introduce yourself!

Hi

I'm Gordon and have been an OU student on and off for the last 8 years. Last years I graduated and got my degree but of course I couldn't stop and decided to have a go at an MSc. I've just completed my first part and am awaiting my results which should be posted next week.

I haven't enjoyed it as much as I have previous courses so I have taken a backward step next year and signed up for an undergrad maths course.

The new website looks interesting and I'll certainly keep an eye on things in coming months.

Hi there

My name is Bill McCullen and I have been with the OU since 2000. I got my BSc (Hons)(Open) in 2005 and have dabbled in a couple of courses since then. I live in the North East (Region 9 I think) and am married with two girls aged 19 and 16. I am currently unemployed as I was a casualty of the Northern Rock fiasco where I worked as a Test Analyst. I've enjoyed my time with the OU and am looking to start another course soon. Don't know what though!

Im Matt and I work at the OU as a 'New Media Communications Officer'.  I am involved in all kinds of audio/video/image/web type work and am heavily involved in promoting the OU via social networking and online media sites. 

I've recently become more involved with the technical side of the Platform project, so am spending some time getting to grips with whats going on!

@SarahH from Loughborough
Am interested in your narrowboat experiences linked with OU study. Willing to tell me more then contact me at anniversary@open.ac.uk

Hi everyone
My name is Francisco Mesa Guillen, I am originally from Spain but I have lived in the UK for 30 years plus. I think it is the best place to live in the world, the most tolerant and the most civilised. I studied with the open university for 6 years and at the end of it, I obtained my BSc Hons degree in psychology. I am now a Counsellor/Therapist in private practice and I am also a tutor of the Spanish language. I have nothing but prays for the incredible work the open university does. It is the only institution which allows ordinary people to develop intellectually at their own pace, thus giving dignity and self esteem to thousands, which in turn, is very important for a psychological wellbeing. Well done OU keep up the good work.

Hi all - my name is Bryan. I've recently finished an MBA course with the OU (keenly awaiting results) am based in the UK but in the course of my job, I travel to several continents to offer our products to test data and telecom installations.
I have yet to delve into this site but it was interesting enough for me to sign up!
Look forward to some interesting communications from everyone.

Hi,

I'm Carol and I'm just waiting for my last results (English Grammar in Context) to see if I've got my BA (Hons) Language Studies in English/Spanish.
I'm also waiting to see if I've been accepted for a PGCE next year (not with the OU), and should hear within 2 weeks, so it's all up in the air at present - could be a good Christmas or a bad one!
I'll really miss studying with the OU next year.

Hi
I'm Jackie, graduated with the OU in 2006 (BA Hons in Literature). Since then done half the PGCE and gone back to working full time as a journalist.
Teacher training not wasted though, as I train young journalists in my company, although I'd like to do some work teaching literature too.
I am beginning to really miss the study and am looking fwd to checking out the new OU MA Lit details when they come out.Might take that up in a couple of years.
Also really miss the online forums with other OU people, so this new Platform is really welcome. I live in west Wales, so sometimes feel a bit isolated from fellow students and alumni.
Cheers...

Hello Everyone,

My name in Colin Markham. I completed my Bsc Environmental Studies with the OU in 2007. My award ceremony was in June this year in Birmingham.
I really enjoyed my time with the OU and would like to continue with some Astronomy /Earth Sciences courses in 2009.
However my current concerns are that I work in manufacturing and am very close being made redundant, along with many 1000's of others in the manufacturing sector.
I am currently looking for a new job that combines both my manufacturing experience with my newly gained environmental degree but I am finding it frustratingly difficult at this time.
Any comments or shared experiences would be welcome.
Look forward to chatting with you all.
Colin

Trained as a mason, but have worked mainly in civil engineering (tunneling etc). Very much a manual worker, Sec.Mod. schooling, no qualifications. I've since been published in dozens of literary mags., anthologies; and am an award-winning poet, have written six books of poetry, plus editing two anthologies, and a poetry mag. for 8 years. I graduated with OU in 1981; re-joined and hoping to get MA/Phd.? Getting on a bit now, so time is a premium. I guess many of today's OU students are about my children's ages, maybe a couple of my granddaughters? I love the university and all it stands for; good old Jennie Lee and Harold Wilson. Enough of this windbaggery, I'm off to dinner. Buono studio a tutti. whh33

Studied withe the OU to gain a BSc (hons) in technology..it took far too long!.....however a brilliant period of involvement that I now sorely miss. Region 12 - Northern Ireland
I Originally trained as a precision machine tools engineering & then as a marine engineer & have purued a career in industrial maintenance as an engineer in a wide range of manufacturing industry. The gains of the OU study are immense - it has given me the ability to understand, learn & pursue my current role in as a technologist & in senior management.
I encourage all who ask to look at the OU as a means to gain knowledge & qualifications. The best gets better.
Really pleased to see this forum as a place to communicate....

Hi, I'm Joanne, I passed Introduction to Humanities last year and I'm studying A215 (Creative Writing) which is a level 2 course. At the moment I can only fit in one subject a year, so hopefully I'll manage to get a degree in another 5 years! I work full time in a school office and I'm single with two children (21 and 18) who have both left home. I'm also a Grandma to a gorgeous little 4 year old boy. Hope to get to know some of you in the future.

Hi All
I'm Robert (Bob) Smith
I graduated quite a few years ago as a mature student (I'm now 62).
At present I teach Maths and some Sciences (GCSE General Science and A level Chemistry) at a 6th form college in East Norfolk.
Looking forward to retiring from employment in about 2 1/2 years.
I came into teaching quite late (1992) after doing a specialist BEd (2 years) at Exeter.

It's nice to have a forum at the OU to enable a variety of (ex) students to converse outside the academic areas.

Considering the forum has been open for only a short time, it is great to see so many positive comments from such a variety of people.
Hope to cinverse with some of you pretty soon.

Hello all. I'm Steve. I'm 43 years old, happily married and have two wonderful children aged 7 and 9. I live in Norfolk. I am an accountant by profession, although I have not practised for the last few years due to illness.

Shortly after my son was born in 2001, I succombed to the pressures of life and work and ended up in hospital after having a breakdown. While I was in hospital, I was diagnosed as suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (cfs). I was very fortunate to have the support of my family during this very difficult time of my life, as well as world class medical treatment. I still cannot work at the moment. Thankfully, the OU has helped to keep my mind active during this period.

Since 2005, I have been studying science with the OU. I started with some short 10 point courses in astronomy, planets and maths. After my confidence had recovered a little, I decided to take the plunge and took the 60-point S103 (Discovering Science). Since then I have decided to try for a degree in physical sciences. In 2009 I will be studying MST209, after having completed S103, SXR03, S250, S207, SXR207 and MST121 in addition to some 10-pointers.

Studying with the OU has not only helped keep me sane, but has also enabled me to regain some confidence in myself. Studying for a science degree gives me a sense of personal achievement and may even lead to a career change. If my health allows it, I would like to be able to teach science to adults and children - not by forcing them to learn it, but by inspiring them. Showing some of the things I have studied to my own children has definitely lit a spark in heir minds. My seven year old son's interests now include planets, volcanoes and quantum mechanics!!!

The Open University is a fantastic institution. I cannot rate it more highly.

Hi I am Jan

I gained my BA Hons in 2005 after 7yrs of study with OU and since then have become an OU junkie taking Diploma's in Literature, Health and Social Welfare and this year in Criminology ( still waiting for results). These diverse subjects are ones that just appealed at any given time and have proved useful in the voluntary work I now undertake. Leaving school at 14yrs with no qualifications I always thought just maybe I did have the brains to gain qualifiactions. Having had to leave work due to illness in 1990 I decided to take O and A in Maths and English and passed in a year; this led to taking all levels of WP and passed, having never used a computer before I was chuffed but then thought shall I try for degree? Went to Chichester University for year as mature student, wonderful experience but illness struck again so turned to OU for my studies and have simply never ever looked back. I am thinking about taking an MA but not sure whether I am capable of doing this mentally, also of course being an OAP, finance does come into the equasion, perhaps I simply dream too much.... OU has allowed me to meet some wonderful people at the forums, some have now become good friends and we chat on the telephone. OU has opened my eyes to the world, it has proven to me that everyone is capable of getting a degree or simply learning something new, albeit they young or old, there is no discrimination on age, colour or creed, we are all the same, people who simply want to learn. I now look forward to hopefully interesting chats with other like minded people.

Hi all

This is brilliant, and I hope to bump into some old study buddies and tutors on here before too long! Graduated in the early 90s after doing mostly lit courses over a period of some years (started in 1979!). Lived in Leeds for most of that time, thoough did my final two courses whilst on the Orkney Islands. Very, very happy memories of OU studies, esp Summer School at Stirling 1979 - what a riot, probably the best entire week of my life ever - does anyone else remember the piano recitial in the Roberts Art Centre? You could have heard a pin drop, just magic.

Returned to live in Yorkshire Dales in '94, have run a wee smallholding last few years tho it's fallow at moment. Sole intellectual discussion I get these days is monthly bookclub locally, so really looking forward to the potential of this site and forum to provide more. The OU did change my life - I found I wasn't stupid, lazy or incorrigably naughty (well, not all the time...) like my old school said! and I've missed it badly since not participating over the past few years. Well done the OU for starting the site and this forum

PS How about some smilies/emoticons? ;-)

Hi,

I'm Graham and I have just been retired by the O.U. I have had two stints with them: 1970 - 1985, Tutor, Tutor/counsellor on S100/S101 and 2000 - 2008, Tutor on ST291, S207, S283.

I am hoping to keep in touch with students and colleagues via platform.

Regards,
Retsum

Hello! Let me introduce myself!
LOCATION: PONTELAND, Northumberland (Region 09)
FAMILY:
Leonard and I have been good team mates for 44 years. We have one son, Tim, a qualified Air Traffic Controller and Commercial Airline Pilot, is now working for the Air Accident Investigation Branch.
OCCUPATION:
Now retired, but previously a teacher and lecturer. Sometimes we wonder how we found time to go to work!
INTERESTS:
Several rather than lots -
Music - I sing in a small ecumenical choir led by Leonard. We subscribe to our local Chamber Orchestra, the Northern Sinfonia. We have a brilliant new Music Centre, the Sage Gateshead, which offers a totally eclectic programme of music.
Birdwatching - we love this, both in Britain and in France. Currently a Volunteer for the Northen Red Kite Project in the North-East.
Animals- For eight years we were Honourable Parents to BADGER, Tim's beautiful black and white cat, but he died, aged about 13.
I love all, well, most of the Animal Programmes on TV
Cultural- Ceramics, Sculpture, Glass and Calligraphy
Computing - love computing; also have created and manage our large Parish Website. www.pontelandstmary.org.uk
France - A self-confessed francophile, Have been going to France for over 35 years, camping at first, then in B & Bs.
Two regions not yet visited are the extreme SW and the NE corner, ( too far and too near!)

OU STUDIES:
P261 Reading Development 1972
L120 French Diploma, Year 1 1996
L221 French Diploma, Year 2 1997
L210 French Diploma, Year 3 1998
T171 You, your Computer & the Net 2000
BA Awarded- Newcastle City Hall 2001
S180 Exploring the oceans 2002
U120 Mosaic 2002
L224 Horizons French/Lyceum 2003
T180 Living with the Net 2004
T183 Design and the Web 2005
A174 Start Writing Fiction 2006
T189 Digital Photography 2007

COMPUTER: PENTIUM II 64Mb Ram Epson Stylus D78
MOTTO:UN VOYAGE DE MILLE LIEUES DEBUTE PAR UN SEUL PAS."

My name is Alan Young, married to Anne for 10 years , DINKYs, Got a degree with the OU a few years ago and in 2009 doing another course to hopefully get honours. Ex merchant navy engineer officer and lumberjack currently working in the drilling industry as a directional driller. Interests include se kayaking, mountaineering, telemark and cross country skiing, motorbikes, music , photography and reading, and beer.
Looking forward to studying again with the OU

Yo! I'm an OU Grad, an AL and a part-time regional advisor. Great to see Platform launched and I think it looks wonderful. Already bookmarked

Hi All
I'm Heather and graduated with a Psychology BA Honours degree with the OU in 1986.
I used to belong to the OU Psychology and Poetry Societies.
I live in the London Borough of Enfield and would like to be in contact with those i knew through the OU.
I was in NHS Management for nearly 30 years but have not worked since 1998.
Since getting a computer from a friend this year i have enjoyed meeting people through Facebook. A new venture is that a Facebook friend in Australia is putting some of my poetry to music. She hopes to do an album next year. If you would like to hear my song look up Butterfly Moments sung by "Spudfactor" on YouTube.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Best Wishes Heather x

Hi

I am Paul, Just finished sk195, which was a course of drug and medicine development, I am from Devon so come under devon south,

I am hoping to work to wards a certificate in contemporary science, even though this could change, i like the challenge, but i think it would be nice to have other students to talk to.

Paul

Hi im Lorraine and live in Scotland. Phew im not the only current student in here :). I am currently working towards my LLB and about to start w201 in Feb and loving every minute of it (i might not be saying that 3 months into the course :) ) Hopefully i'll find the time to pop in as it looks like this is going to be a very interesting place to be. Good luck to all the current students and congrats to all who have managed to get their degrees (you lucky people )

Hi, My name is Frank Inglis, I work with the Forestry Commission. I completed an MBA in 2000. Loved the whole experience. heading for the big Hawaii but still not made the leap to hyperspace (management training or consulting) yet, I do however sense a disturbance in the force! I guess I like the forest too much? Or maybe I need to read "what colour is your parachute?" again. I'm sure I'll pop in from time to time.

As aye!
Frank

Hi Guys and gals,
this seems fun,
I graduated with a BSc (hons) in 2000 and have been keeping an eye on OU things since that time.
I love challenges in life and rate my degree alongside running a sub 3hr marathon, learning french and successfully bringing up 2 well balanced children :)
I often ponder on working towards a Ba if time restraints permit.
look forward to 'talking' with many of you in the future.
Have fun,

Tin Tin

Things have been so busy I don't know where to start...Oh well here goes. I'm Bob who started studying with the OU in London (1995), got married moved to Orkney (2000) and finally gained my BSc degree (2001). This was after a very frustrating couple of years of the OU moving the points goalposts preventing most from graduating. Thank goodness they backtracked! The Design and Innovation courses I studied led me to start my own small business in 2001 which still plods along today. Being one of those people that gets bored after doing the same job for three years I naturally looked at studying again, I have always had an interest in renewable energy but the OU did not have a specific course in this, luckily Heriot Watt Uni has a department (ICIT) in Orkney where I gained an MSc in Renewable Energy Development which subsequently led me to follow on for a PhD in Marine Renewables, researching the effects of wave energy arrays on the littoral environment, and still in beautiful Orkney. If you are like me and like finding out how things tick then I recommend following on and applying for higher qualifications. The work is never boring because you are the one exploring where few people have researched and in some fields no one has. And in Scotland you've a better chance of actually getting paid to do what you enjoy! fantastic. By the way I'm 39 in case your wondering. If you are interested in my research then just contact me... I left enough clues.

Hello everyone
I am David Hortop, I graduated long ago in the mists of OU time, 1984, and the OU was the best thing that happened to me educationally. In fact I finished off my studies whilst serving in the Falklands - that shows the flexibility and skills of the OU!!!As a result of these studies I was able to persue a wonderful second career with the HSE.
My son has also successfully graduated from the OU - and my daughter is working towards her degree.
As a family we have every reason for wishing the OU every success. Hope to keep in touch with anyone out there in OU land.

Hello everyone, I am Tania, an eternal student, graduate and tutor. I owe a lot to the OU. I'm pleased to see the Platform up and running!

T