Martyn was working in retail, trying to figure out what to do next, when he was introduced to a new colleague.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe liked all the same things and just hit it off straight away. I always say he\u2019s like the brother I never had,\u201d Martyn explains. \u201cWe\u2019d talked a lot about travel, so one day he came into work and invited me on a trip to Japan with a group of friends. He didn\u2019t have to ask twice!\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Martyn](\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Martyn-in-Japan-resize-300x184.jpg\")
Martyn in Japan.<\/p><\/div>\n
It was on this trip that Martyn felt a deep connection with Japanese culture, something he\u2019d never experienced anywhere else.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard to describe, but I suppose the closest I can get is that it was like falling in love,\u201d Martyn describes. \u201cWhile I was there, I had the opportunity to speak to lots of people who were teaching English, not just in Japan, but in countries across Asia. It really opened my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
A natural teacher<\/strong><\/p>\n Around the same time Martyn was helping a friend, whose first language is Chinese, with her English.<\/p>\n \u201cShe told me I was a great teacher and asked if I\u2019d ever considered teaching as a profession. I hadn\u2019t, but it did get me thinking,\u201d Martyn recalls. \u201cI knew I needed a new challenge, but I wasn\u2019t entirely convinced because I\u2019d been out of education for several years.\u201d<\/p>\n Martyn decided to test the water by trying some of the OU\u2019s free courses<\/a> on OpenLearn to find out whether he could get his head back into learning.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat an incredible free resource that is! My mother and I both have a few badges now. OpenLearn made me realise that I love learning when it\u2019s a subject that interests me,\u201d says Martyn. \u201cI had a lot going on in my mind, so I called and spoke to one of the OU advisors about my degree options. They were absolutely brilliant, taking time to hear about my interests and discuss potential career paths with me. That advice helped me decide which degree to aim for.\u201d<\/p>\n Taking the plunge<\/strong><\/p>\n After passing an Access module<\/a> with flying colours, Martyn switched up his working pattern and set his sights on achieving a BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI was surprised at how I took to studying after such a long break, but the resources are fantastic,\u201d says Martyn. \u201cWhen those first Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) results started to drop in, both my family and I realised that this degree was a real prospect for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Having the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects was a big draw for Martyn.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d always been interested in Geography, but I\u2019d never considered languages and culture as part of that,\u201d Martyn reflects. \u201cThanks to some good friends and the OU, I finally connected the dots and found the perfect degree to keep me focused.\u201d<\/p>\n Support when you need it<\/strong><\/p>\n An active member of the OU student community, Martyn took to forums to exchange study tips and crucially, support.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, it was all part of the experience. I always found something to inspire me or make me think of something in a different way,\u201d says Martyn. \u201cEveryone struggles somewhere along the line \u2013 whether it\u2019s a disappointing TMA result or a difficult life event \u2013 I think you can learn a lot from other people\u2019s experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n Martyn not only champions the student support network – having gone through a tough time himself, he leaned into other avenues of support at the OU.<\/p>\n \u201cMy dad died suddenly during my studies. It was difficult to get through at first and that was reflected in my results,\u201d says Martyn. \u201cBut the tutors and the Student Support Team are always there to help. Eventually, I found that studying took me away from it all and gave me something to focus on.\u201d<\/p>\n The big move<\/strong><\/p>\n Having recently celebrated his graduation, Martyn is now planning the biggest move of his life so far.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve recently found out that I\u2019ve secured a teaching position in the Kyushu region of Japan. I\u2019ve been thinking about it for over four years now, so I can hardly believe it\u2019s about to happen!\u201d Martyn adds, \u201cNone of this would have been possible without the OU. It\u2019s an amazing organisation, full of inspiring people. I very much hope to return for the Masters!\u201d<\/p>\n Martyn shares his top tips for study success.<\/p>\n Take advice before you start<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cOU advisors helped me consolidate my interests and ambitions. Thanks to my conversations with them, I knew from the beginning that I was heading down the right path.\u201d<\/p>\n Get creative<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cI made a big poster to remind me of my goals and motivations, it kept me on track. That wasn\u2019t the only one though, it became a running joke with my parents who had to put up with my posters and diagrams all over the house!\u201d<\/p>\n Reach out when you need to<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cAs an OU student or graduate, you\u2019re part of a huge community with loads of support on offer. I\u2019m proud to be OU Family.\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t let a disappointing result get you down<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cIt happens to everyone and it\u2019s never fun, but you can learn a lot from it. OU tutors are great at giving you feedback to improve and help you understand where you went wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n