{"id":10694,"date":"2018-10-10T16:39:11","date_gmt":"2018-10-10T15:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ounews.co\/?p=10694"},"modified":"2018-10-10T16:39:11","modified_gmt":"2018-10-10T15:39:11","slug":"new-to-the-ou-heres-8-tips-to-set-you-up-for-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/student-stories\/new-to-the-ou-heres-8-tips-to-set-you-up-for-study\/","title":{"rendered":"New to the OU? Here’s 8 tips to set you up for study"},"content":{"rendered":"

As new students open their Open University books and start learning with us, we asked our Instagram community<\/a> to share their advice for anyone beginning with the OU.\u00a0 They\u2019ve given us some top tips to help you get off on the right foot:<\/p>\n

1. Don\u2019t Doubt Yourself<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It can feel overwhelming when you start getting your books through and planning your study schedules, but don\u2019t let this question your ability:<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t doubt yourself and think it\u2019s impossible, you can\u2019t do it, before you have even sat down and started a TMA. Don\u2019t let it overwhelm you. Once you get going you realise you were over panicking & letting nerves get the better of you.\u201d @Stephdm33<\/p>\n

\u201cBe more determined, don\u2019t listen to others putting you down and apply yourself more when it matters\u201d @singlestudyworkmum<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might seem impossible, but it really isn’t. Break things down into small chunks , don’t be afraid to try a few different ways of studying until you find the one that works for you.Dont beat yourself up if you feel behind your fellow students,everyone learns in different ways.\u201d @Brontobemildd<\/p>\n

2. Tutors are there to help<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Our network of tutors are there to help you succeed!\u00a0 Many of our students rely on their support, advice and guidance throughout their course, so don\u2019t be afraid to call on them.<\/p>\n

\u201cUse your tutors to help. If you don\u2019t feel that\u2019s enough contact the university early rather than half way through the course. They will do as much as they can to help you succeed.\u201d @notenoughhoursindayxx<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to ask your tutor for extensions when you need it! You\u2019ll be surprised how easy it is to feel guilty to ask for it or to make yourself think you can\u2019t ask. Extensions are available if you need it and can make a big difference in the TMA score you receive.\u201d @cake4dinner<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cRemember your tutors are only ever an email or call away and can provide some help or advice if you need it. Also be sure to attend the online or face to face tutorials if and when you can as they offer a new dimension and perspective on things, it\u2019s also good to ask questions and speak to other students to see what study methods they use too.\u201d @helss_97<\/p>\n

3. Feel the fear and do it anyway<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"motivation\"<\/p>\n

Making a small start, when you feel you\u2019ve got a mountain to climb, can get your study going and kick off your self-motivation:<\/p>\n

\u201cMotivation comes faster if you start doing something, even a little bit. Don\u2019t sit and wait for it!\u201d @Georgianna_c.t<\/p>\n

\u201cResist the urge to put off starting TMAs until tomorrow, so many times I lived to regret that when burning midnight oil, and getting into stressy panics!\u201d @lochness375<\/p>\n

\u201cFeel the fear and open that marked TMA as soon as you receive it! It\u2019s always helpful, even if you feel like reading the feedback while covering your eyes (we\u2019ve all been there).\u201d @Georgianna_c.t<\/p>\n

4. Manage your time<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Many Open University students learn alongside working, parenting, and juggling their busy daily lives.\u00a0 Many of our students suggest that planning ahead and being organised can really help:<\/p>\n

\u201cSetting time aside, even if some days it’s only a small amount. Time management became a skill I learnt pretty fast with open uni.\u201d @claire86c<\/p>\n

\n

“Don\u2019t be afraid to experiment with ways to schedule work, take notes, work an assignment. It\u2019s worth knowing what doesn\u2019t work too (and you may or may not get to indulge a love for stationery if you have one ?).\u201d @Georgianna<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cFigure out how you study best and don’t worry about everyone else. Some of you will start your TMAs well in advance of the deadline and some of you (like me) work better closer to the deadline.\u201d @kiriasher<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you know you are going to be busy get ahead on the study to give yourself breathing space. \u201c @amandasallysam<\/p>\n

\u201cPlan, plan and plan some more. Schedule in study time as if it\u2019s a meeting and don\u2019t cancel on yourself.\u201d @clking_writes<\/p>\n

5. Make it visual<\/strong><\/h2>\n

@Helss_97 has a good tip on how to absorb new information in a more visual way, which can work really well for many:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cInvest in some good, brightly coloured post-it notes and coloured felt tips. Sticking post it notes around the house in places you look at each day (bathroom door, mirror, kitchen etc) with terms and definitions on them can really help you to remember things without even having to try that hard; you end up absorbing them subconsciously. Another great idea if you are a visual learner is mind-maps; they are useful for seeing all the relevant information you need for a theme at once.\u201d @helss_97<\/p>\n

6. Lean on your fellow students<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although you\u2019re embarking on distance learning, there\u2019s a huge Open University student community which you\u2019re part of.\u00a0 You can get in touch with the OU Students Association<\/a>, who run meet-ups, online forums and offer support,<\/a> and you can try some of these suggestions:<\/p>\n

\u201cTry and get to know other students doing the same course whether through day schools or online tutor group forums. They are all in the same boat and you can help each other with advice, tips and most of all support!\u201d @smileysaltpepper<\/p>\n

\u201cParticipate more in the forums, don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions!\u201d @sharknosaur<\/p>\n

7. Take it a step at a time<\/strong><\/h2>\n

With the OU you\u2019ll be studying flexibly, to suit your own life \u2013 so don\u2019t feel pressure to rush through your studies, or compare yourself to others; everyone has different circumstances and ambitions!<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the course is delivered online only, some people like me need to make some notes, so you’ll probably need to allow yourself additional study time, and try not to make those notes into a 1000 word document. Keep it short, simple and RELEVANT!! \u201c@cakes4dinner<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTake it one module at a time, university isn’t a competition and, even if it takes a little longer than you initially plan, you will get there in the end.\u201d @Katiemarieuk<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cJust focus on each day, each assignment and take it as it comes. Even if you don\u2019t think you will do very well or you\u2019re struggling with a topic, persevere, do the best you can at that particular point in your studies, submit that assignment and you may end up pleasantly surprised with your result; which is a great confidence boost for the rest of your studies.\u201d @helss_97<\/p>\n

8. Enjoy it, and be proud of yourself!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Barbican

One day you’ll be sitting at your own degree ceremony celebrating your success<\/p><\/div>\n

Open University students are special people – just take a look at some of our inspiring student and graduate stories<\/a>!\u00a0 Achieving your degree can be a lifelong dream come true, so enjoy it and be proud!<\/p>\n

\u201cEnjoy studying as much as possible. You clearly wish to learn and better yourself and that is something to be proud of.\u201d @Bloughn_<\/p>\n

\u201cTo remain proud of yourself! Throughout the degree, you will suffer from bad marks, difficult assignments and an array of other struggles. There will be times you will work hard, only to receive a low result. If that happens, it’s not a failure. No matter your scores, results or degree classification, remain proud of yourself! Being an OU student is special. We’re not just students, but parents, carers, workers etc. To do an OU degree with our unique circumstances is amazing! So, never stop being proud of yourself!\u201d @educatrex<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As new students open their Open University books and start learning with us, we asked our Instagram community to share their advice for anyone beginning with the OU.\u00a0 They\u2019ve given us some top tips to help you get off on the right foot: 1. Don\u2019t Doubt Yourself It can feel overwhelming when you start getting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":10696,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,22],"tags":[639,1525,1610,2150],"class_list":["post-10694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-stories","category-university-news","tag-distance-learning","tag-news-home","tag-open-university-students","tag-study-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10694"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10694\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}