Author: Gina Sharp

Using your feedback to make a difference

Rachel Garnham is a Senior Manager leading the Student Voice team at The Open University. Her team works in partnership with the OU Students Association to include students in OU decision-making.

 

The Open University has just launched its new strategy – learn and live – at the heart of which is student success. We really want to make sure more students achieve the goals that you have set for yourself. And one of the best ways to do that is by using your feedback to improve the student experience so it meets your needs. Continue reading “Using your feedback to make a difference”

Your wellbeing on University Mental Health Day (3rd March)

Neill Boddington works for the OU as a Mental Health Advisor within the Mental Health Casework and Advisory Team and previously worked for many years in the field of resilience and stress management.

 

For this year’s University Mental Health Day, I have been reflecting on this awareness day and the wider issues around our daily wellbeing and mental health.

While days such as this help to focus people’s minds and can be the catalyst for conversation, new thinking, change and initiatives, we should also ensure we do not make ours and other people’s wellbeing a ‘hashtag’, a meme or a once-a-year consideration, because looking after our mental health really is a daily consideration.

Continue reading “Your wellbeing on University Mental Health Day (3rd March)”

The Open Programme and Employability: A Student’s Perspective

Sarah Andrews works at the University of Brighton and manages a large team of student ambassadors. She is an Open degree student.

 

 

About six years ago, on a bit of a whim, I decided to register myself to study at the Open University for an Open degree. It’s a pretty life changing decision I made relatively quickly over the course of just a couple of months, and looking back I’m not sure I knew quite what I was letting myself in for – but perhaps my tips here might encourage some other prospective students to take the plunge into the joy that is a multi-disciplinary Open degree! Continue reading “The Open Programme and Employability: A Student’s Perspective”

My Journey to the Open University and Beyond

 

Patrick is a former OU student who has completed an Open Degree and here he tells us about his motivations for study.

This is a tale of two halves; the how and the why.

Four years ago my wife died after a long illness, during which time life was a struggle with little time for anything else. We lost our lives to palliative care. If not the carers then it was a posse of others with unheard-of titles.  Days, weeks and years went by with little respite.  And then she died. Suddenly I had twenty four hours a day to fill.  This is when a sad time was transformed into yet another wonderful gift from my wife. Continue reading “My Journey to the Open University and Beyond”

Pods, Blogs & Vlogs!

The session on 14th July was led by Jay Rixon, Senior Manager in Access, Open and Cross-curricular Innovation alongside our guest, Finlay Games.  Finn is an LGBTQ+ Youtuber, blogger, and Motivational Speaker and is currently studying Psychology and Creative Writing with The Open University. 

One of the blessings during lockdown is access to a wealth of information online. Blogs, vlogs, and podcasts can help us to feel connected to others, to find information and support, and are a way to spend our time. My name is Finlay Games and on the 14th July I joined Jay Rixon for an Open Programme student/staff drop-in session, to chat all things vlogs, blogs, and podcasts.

The session began with a discussion about what everyone was watching, reading, and listening to. People also spoke about how they discovered content, with some following specific people and others following particular topics. Continue reading “Pods, Blogs & Vlogs!”