Introduce yourself!

Hello everyone. I am starting AA100 in Feb as my first course and am really looking forward to it. I m not sure where it will take me but hey, its all about the journey....

I am 41, married with 2 (early teens) children and was a nurse for 10 years, although I now work full time in the bridal industry (believe me it's not as easy as it sounds!)

Ta Ta For Now

Wow, so many comments already!

My name is Wilma, I am a third grade teacher at an international school in Aleppo, Syria. I just started my Masters in Education and try to combine, study, work and social life. I am from the Netherlands, my husband is from Edinburgh and we have a 15 year old son. We have been living in Syria for almost 10 years and I do love it in here.

Hello,

Im Liz, im 34 and live in North Staffordshire with my cat Sophie. Will be starting the AA100 course in February and this is my first course with the OU, not sure how it will pan out but hope to get a History Degree in the end.

I left school in 91 with GCSE's and other than a 2 year vocational course which came to nothing I have worked full time in admin ever since. I am currently working in an admin support role for a local 16-19 college.

Well thats me :-)

Hi everyone. I am Peter aged 61 and unfortunately still working! I started DD100 in Social Science just to prove to myself I could do it. It is good so far but I need to be a little more disciplined timewise.
I would just like to say good luck to all those that have just started OU and those who start in February. It will be worth it.

Hi, I'm Jane from South Yorks. I work full time as a Police Officer, married with two kids and a Springer Spaniel.

I've only just started studying with the OU, starting slow with an openings course in psychology and have applied for a social sciences course next year, with the final target being a psychology degree.

I'm really enjoying what I'm doing so far and it's good to be here.

Hi
I'm Alan a 57 year old ex soldier after health problems have stopped me working started studying with the OU last year with A103 now doing A207 working to a History degree. Just doing it for pleasure and keeping brain from addling.

Hi

My name is Maitland. I am originally from Glasgow but now live in a small village in Perthshire. I am a retired Police Officer having retired early on medical grounds from The Met in London. I am 42 years of age married with 3 children.

I am currently on the A173 Start writing family history course. I have found the course very enjoyable but it has been spoiled somewhat with a very bad dose of chickenpox that has led onto Neuralgia that has effected my studies. Hopefully I will be able to catch up and complete the course at the end of January.

I am looking to do a number of short courses to build up my confidence and get me back into a study regime after many years away from study. I hope to do a short poetry course in May and then make a decision where I want to go from there. My initial thoughts were a degree in The Humanities but then changed my mind to a degree in Philosophy but to be perfectly honest I really haven't a clue what I want to do but that will hopefully change as I move through my chosen courses.

regards

Maitland

Hi, everyone. My name is Terri. I am from New Jersey, but I have been living in Portugal since 1995. I am a EFL teacher. I am 34 years old, divorced and I have a 6 years old daughter.

This is my 3rd year studying at OU. It has generally been a pleasant experience. Overall, I have found that the OU method of teaching has really given me the opportunity to learn and not just process the information. For those of you just starting, I think you will truly enjoy your chosen course.

As for me, I am currently registered for the E301 The Art of English which starts on Feb 2009. It is a level 3 course, so for anyone taking this course in 2009, if you would like to exchange ideas or talk about general topics from the course let me know. Until then, have a nice day.

:-)

Hi,

I am Ian and I have been studying with the OU since 2004. In Feb 09 I start M366 and then hopefully I will have got my BSc(Hons) Computing. I live in Ashford, Kent and work in Canary Wharf as Head of I.T. for a small foreign bank. During my studying with the OU i have made numerous friends and the OU experience has been enjoyable so far.

Hi!

I'm Matt, 23, and I recently started with the OU in November 2007. Did things the different approach, went travelling to gain experience and then chose to get a degree!?

Admittedly a little sceptical about how an OU degree would've been perceived I took the plunge and now the deeper I get the the happier I am with the decision. Boosting my A-Level knowledge is fantastic as I don't think a traditional uni would've worked for me. I've become a big advocate of what the OU can offer!!

Aiming for BA (Hons) in Business and looking to continue my wanderlust.

Would be interested to hear about anyone who's "cracked" the US with regards to employment!

Hi,

I'm Claudia, a 20 year old from Derby. I started a BA (hons) degree in Business Studies and Accounting with the OU in 2006, in exchange for a conventional university as i didn't think it was for me. I can honestly say i've never looked back and have enjoyed the OU and the experience so far. After just passing B202 I'm due to start B201 in Feb 09 and should eventually graduate in 2011. I also work full time as an Accounts administrator so all the theory and practical elements of business are all tying in nicely! fun fun fun

HI!

I'm Kathryn, I'm 27 and I live in Gibraltar with my husband and my 2 cats. I have recently started with the Open University on my way to hopefully obtain a degree in Business Studies!! I am starting DD100 in Social Sciences and I'm a bit apprehensive about it!! I hope I'll be able to manage time-wise, as I am also in the middle of MU120 - Open Mathematics...we'll see!!

Good luck to everyone who is studying at the moment, I hope we all get the grades we want!! :-)

Hi everyone, I'm charlie and this is my third year with OU - I graduated last year. I'm starting the Philosophy MA in between looking after my kids. Anyone else out there who is starting A850?

Hi - I'm Sekhmet (Caroline) and I've just finished my BA in English Literature. I got a 2:1 so I'm pretty thrilled as I was working full-time but I'm obviously a glutton for punishment as I've signed up to start my MA in Classics next year!

Until recently, I was a financial recruiter in the City - but that darned Credit Crunch got me so now I'm a jobhunter instead of a headhunter.

I'm married and have two cats. One is actually called Sekhmet (a Maine C oon) and the other is Bastet (a Persian-Birman cross). This is useful as I can attribute all typos to Sekhmet - she likes to sit on the keyboard just as she is about to nowo'hihaol';;a@!$$

All the best

Hi

I am a current student. I am doing DD100 and in Feb start A211. I am in hte middle of getting divorced and a single parent to 2 disabled children and 2 others not including my step daughters.I am loving every moment of the OU having started doing smaller courses 12 months or so ago (give or take). I could cheerfully live here and spend the rest of my life doing courses from here if I had the cash lol. (I know...sad!).

Hi

I'm Claire, and after a whirlwind couple of years, I settled down, and have a little boy called Alex who will be 1 on Sunday!
This is my first time back studying since I was ill at college a few years back now.
I am studying the K101 as my first course with the OU, and hoping to get the BA Hons in Childhood and youth studies in a few years time. I'm pretty nervous about it all, but will get there...slowly!

Claire x

Hello I am a current student. My is Eunice and I am what you would call a mature student, at 50. I am married to Jamie and between us we have 6 adult children (second marriages). We have 4 grandchildren and 1 on the way.I am working towards a degree in Health and Social Care. I have just passed K100 and started K272 when I finish in June I will be halfway there. I work in mental health as a housing support worker and live in Hereford. Studying with the OU has giving a huge boost to my confidence.

Hi All

I'm writing this in work (tut tut!!), I am 28 married with 1 young son who is a 2 and a little Bart Simpson in the making!! I from Kildare, Ireland, I have a degree in IT, and work in fraud but really want to switch careers, so
I'm studying for a diploma in Health sciences, have completed SK121 and genetics and and currently studying sk125....

better get back to work before the boss catches me!
S

In 1980 I returned to live in the UK with my young family after 9 years in New Zealand and Fiji and one of the determining factors in our choice was the OU. However real life and a young family considerably delayed and interrupted my studies but last year I recommenced with S260/SXR260 and next year I am enrolled on S369/SXR369.
I should be retiring in March which would allow me endless days of study but after years of overseas travel I have bought a Motor caravan and fully intend to explore all the corners of my own country. So if you see a grumpy bearded 65 year old in a campsite with OU books and a laptop it may be me.
My only regret is that I only get to meet my fellow students during a few tutorials and a summer school because most of them are the most motivated and invigorating people I have ever met.

Hi
I'm madge. 47. Mum of two (girl 10, boy 14)and full time carer for my disabled husband. Living in East Yorkshire. Just passed S151 and S193. Previously passed S197 and SA188. Currently doing A178, S196 and S194 and wishing I hadn't taken on three courses at once just as Husband's health took a downturn. I'm a complete science geek and astronomy junky on my way (hopefully) to an open BSC hons degree. Next up is S104 starting in January.
:)

Hi there everyone, Im Paul 42 from West Yorkshire. Two step daughters, and a young grandson and a wonderful wonderful partner (Who puts up with me, no idea why!!!! I don't look like Daniel Craig,so it must be my chraming wit..! :) or more likely because I do the ironing which she hates!!!
Currently a civil servant, rather vague I know but when people find out what I do they tend to throw things at me!!!
Anywayyyyyyyyyyyy Currently doing an openings course in Psychology this is my third openings course as I have been undecided what to do. I have enjoyed this course, so I am looking at a further course maybe the next rung up the ladder so any advice would be great.
Hope your all having fun on the courses I know I do, good luck to everyone and Merry Christmas!!!!
Paul

Hi my name is Sarah i am 33 years old and married to Richard 48. We have a 5 year old called Catherine. I live in Hampshire and currently work as a learning support assistant but have just handed my notice in due to my daughters ill health at present.
I am currently studying MU120, and will be starting S104 in January 2009. I just hope i haven't bitten off more than i can chew lol.
Have a merry Christmas all, and hope to get chatting to you all soon

Hi I'm michelle

This is my second and final year with the OU as i start midwifery next year at Uni.

Currently studying K101 and SDK125, last year I completed Mu120 and mST121.

xx

Hi All, I'm Kriss
I'm 37 from Clacton in Essex, Hope to be starting W200 in February after completing W100 last Septmber. I am currently Unemployed and a part time carer for my disabled mum. As well as this I also Do 3 days a week as a volunteer at a local charity funded organisation called Signpost where I compile CV's for clients and help with their jobsearch and Basic IT skills.

Well I've rattled on about myself for long enough Have a good xmas everyone and hope to chat to you all soon

Hello everyone, I'm Annie, 50 and am an Artist, I'm just starting 'OU life' with AA100, Arts and Humanities-towards a BA (HONS)History. I've been told it'll take around 4/5years. Not having studied for years am really looking forward to it, have bought my first lot of required books and ermmm-should I be getting worried, 50 and going back to 'school'? I live in the Fens of East Anglia.

Hi I am Tara, I am 36 and a single parent to 4 children aged 3,7,9 and 11 I am in my second year with the ou. I completed Y162,A172 and A103 during my first year and have just started A210. I am intending to overlap this with U211 which starts in February. I am realy enjoying my ou journey so far.

Hi all!!!

Well my name is Oliver, I'm 27, married with 2 boys and I'm starting the W200 in Febuary with the aiming to get my LLB. I look fowrward to chatting withg you all in the future!

Hello everyone :-)
I was about to put my pajamas on, then plug my GNX-guitar workstation to play a few songs when I saw the email about the launch of Platform, and joined.
Although I find First Class already full of places to go, I think that Platform is an excellent idea that combines all the news about OU events, as well as a way to socialise with other fellow Ouers.
About myself, in a nutshell:
I've returned to study with the OU last year after a 9 years gap. I work as a private tutor of Computer Skills and volunteer as a website manager and musician for my local festival. I've been playing at open mics for the past 6 years, but I busk too during the warmer months of the year. Astronomy, crossstitching and listening to audiobooks are my two other addiction.
I'm a single disabled mum (a badly fractured left knee going down a child' slide 6 years ago - doh!) with a 16 years old daughter and a 21 years old son.

It's now time to put my pajamas on and plug the electric guitar ;)

Rosanella
If we do not try, we will not know. (Ayya Khema)

MST209 Mathematical methods and models (starting in January)
MS221 Exploring mathematics (Grade 3)
MST121 Using mathematics (1998)
S267 How the Earth works: the Earth's interior (1997)
S268 Physical resources and environment (1997)
S102 Science Foundation (1996)

Nathan, 28, single, studying Engineering, Head of RE at a secondary school, like playing tennis, reading and drinking copious amounts of beer.

Right guys since you are here lets talk about something?????????