HJ is an OU graduate who studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He can usually be found manning the Hot Desk at Student Hub Live events.  He’s a lover of stationery, study tips and talking about cake!

Since completing my OU degree I’ve benefitted from the skills and knowledge it’s given me, especially when it comes to my career.  However, after 5 years in employment since graduating, I still don’t know what I want to do. And you know what? That’s okay! You can research as much as you want but until you do a job you never know if it is right for you. Continue reading →

Tala Al-Shafee is an international BSc (Hons) Health Sciences student at the OU. She also volunteers with the OU in various ways, including being a Student Hub Live Ambassador, and a Unibuddy Ambassador. 

Ah, it’s that time of year again. The time where students are filled with both intense excitement and nerves as they embark on a whole new year of opportunities. For many, this is the start of a life-changing journey. And although this journey, like any other journey, comes with obstacles, the destination is worth every late night and extra chocolate bar you stress-eat. Continue reading →

Dr Eric Addae-Kyeremeh is Associate Head of School for Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies

The sun is out in its full glory and beaming into my garden on this beautiful July afternoon. The birds are chirping and tweeting and a quick check on my Twitter feed suggests lots of humans are tweeting too. The two pigeons who’ve been my guests for the last few months are moving freely from one tree branch to the other, as if to say they are enjoying the weather too. Continue reading →

Mychelle Pride is a lifelong student who can’t get enough of Student Hub Live. Her role at the University is the Academic Lead for Access, Participation and Success in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies. 

“SHL can give students a sense of belonging and help them build their own study communities. And it doesn’t matter where you come from, what you are studying, your age or who you are.” – SHL blog

Besides my husband, the two amazing people I know I could call on anytime, anywhere, anyhow for any reason are Christian and Jeff. Continue reading →

Professor John Butcher is the Director of Access, Open and Cross-curricular Innovation at the Open University. In this post, John reflects on his own experiences of being a learner and some of the barriers that he had to overcome.

I remember the first time I was asked to appear as an interviewee on SHL (Karen was very persuasive). It was quite early in its history. SHL seemed a bold new innovation for the OU in seeking to connect with students, in lieu of a conventional university’s Fresher’s Week. Continue reading →

Lynne Watson is Student Support academic lead for health, wellbeing and social care at the OU.  She lives in Surrey with her husband and dog, Lilly!

Here we are in March 2021, but, well, who can tell the difference between now and March 2020! Except a lot has changed and as the buds start appearing on trees, and daffodils lift their flowers to the sun, there is now the glimmer of hope for better months ahead. In fact more than a glimmer and, like coming out of hibernation, there is so much to tempt and excite us. From programmes such as Life In Colour, currently airing on BBC, to lots of exciting things happening at The Open University including, of course, Student Hub Live. Continue reading →