Thank you for sharing your experiences, main things I’m struggling on is maths, I hate PDPs and always repeating the same plans and losing marks for it 😂
Thank you for your advice :). For picking modules I also look up the modules to try and find student reviews. Some modules are run better than others. I also struggle with motivation (but I'm not sure if it's a me thing) but the practical modules help with that
My personal experience with the OU has been a bit hit and miss. Im doing psychology and am almost finished year 1. After a couple of months into the degree, I got a volunteer job in mental health. After doing 4 months, I decided I don’t want to do it as a career. Kind of left me feeling very demotivated in studying because I know it’s not going to benefit a career. Looking at changing to an open degree so I can still pursue a degree but to be fair, I may need to get back into the workplace because every interview I’ve had seems to hate the fact I’m doing a degree. Apparently this makes you unreliable and likely to leave. Alongside uni I’ve been working voluntarily as a writer with aspirations of getting a career in the field but after months of writing and applying for paid work, it’s amounted to nothing lol One of my tutors is good and the other isn’t great. Their feedback is pretty contradictory and unhelpful for future TMA’s. It’s actually to a point where I only do the essays and study what I have to. Definitely a predicament because pursuing what you enjoy and what will pay the bills are usually two different things. I’d love nothing more than to do writing/business modules for year 2/3 but financially it’s just getting pretty tough. I’m glad you got through the degree. You’re the reason I took the leap and I’m glad I did. It’s definitely helped me decide more about what I want from life. Don’t know whether I’ll get the full degree but it’s certainly been interesting. The course content itself is pretty good!
Thank you for opening up about your experience with OU and studying for a degree in general. It can be a massive kick in the gut when your original idea of a career doesn’t wok out. It can be tough deciding between trying something you enjoy but doesn’t guarantee a job or sticking with a tried and tested career that will give you some stability. I’m in a similar position, currently got a customer service role but crave something bigger and better. Obviously only you can decide which is the right option for you, I can only offer the generic advice that you’ve probably seen time and time again. Which is that you don’t need to give up your writing aspiration even if you do start working or studying for a different career. Writing can be very flexible when you first start and if you carry on pursuing it you will start to pick up odd jobs here and there which can lead to a more permanent position or a recurring client depending on your desired outcome. You just need to keep at it! Your point about tutors being contradicting with one another is a valid opinion. I often got different advice on how I should appropriately reference my sources etc. One way was perfect for one tutor, the next wanted a slightly different layout. I’m glad I helped give you the confidence to get back in to education and I commend you for putting a positive spin on your experience and acknowledging that even though it didn’t go to plan it has helped point you in the right direction. Good luck with what you decide to do going forward, I hope to come across a piece of your writing at some point in the future!
imho, any potential employer stating, particularly in an interview, a negative view of a candidate self-studying at degree level is a red flag and says more about the interviewer's attitude to motivated and ambitious individuals than it does about their reliability and likelihood to leave/change employment. it's more than likely you dodged some very poor organisations more interested in the 'bum on seat' approach to vacancy filling, than considering your skills alignment, fit for culture, and potential as a valued employee. as a fellow OU student, you should be proud of your achievements and your dedication to furthering your education and employment prospects.
Hi Tom. I don't know if you still reply to comments but I would like some advice if you don't mind answering it would be highly appreciated. I'm doing BSc Computing & IT and Mathematics so my choices for the Computing modules are either [Stage 2 M250 + TT284 (or the updated version - TM252) and then Stage 3 TM352] or [Stage 2 M250 + M269 and then Stage 3 TM352]. I'd prefer doing M269 over TT284 (due to multiple people telling me that it's very good for practical programming skills) only if TM352 more or less covers TT284 as well as obviously covering different topics/going more in depth. But if I'd be missing out on a particular programming skill from missing out TT284 and just doing TM352 instead and/or TT284 gives me a different programming skill that wouldn't be covered in TM352 then I'd have to reconsider so I just want to make sure. I don't mind if taking TM352 without TT284 would be more challenging but it's just that I don't want to miss out on an important key basic concept that TT284 will cover but TM352 might not so as long as TM352 does a small recap then it should be fine. But obviously I wouldn't know that without taking the course so what do you think?
Hi Tom Planning on doing IT and Computing (software) starting in October...i have almost zero IT Experience but am pretty good at sticking to the work given and would have no problem with study etc. Do you think this is feasible to do with no Experience? Thanks buddy love the videos, very helpful
I started the computing and IT degree in April. Didn’t have much experience either aside from GCSE level. They completely ease you in as if you don’t know anything. I definitely recommend going for it 😊
@@bethanyscarlett6849 what’s your take on the math courses that are part of the compulsory modules for the computing and IT degree. How difficult are they? Should I go for it given the price??
@@vd9177 I’ve not started the Maths modules yet, going to start one in October. They offer two different Maths modules you can choose from. One is GCSE level skill and the other is more A-Level. However I’ve heard from other students in my group that have started them that they’re excellent.
@@vd9177 you have a choice between mu123/mst124. they are both worth 30 credits. mu123 is easier (A/Higher level) and does not have an exam, mst124 has an exam and i understand is more involved. if you don't intend to go down a pure programming route with your other modules, mu123 is a straightforward 30-credit module with plenty of additional resources available online to get you through it.
I’m starting my journey in Feb with Open University, but decided to do a free access course to ease myself in, and honestly I’m so excited. It’s usually 30 weeks but they have an 18 week fast track option which I took. Again, for me this was free so that’s win win. Hoping to do an Open degree after that!
Hi Tom, I've been following you from my other account since the beginning of your channel, and because of you, I've decided to go to the open university for my bachelor in computing and it but I kind of didn't did well at my A levels (probably fail) like a 0. I'm trying to go to open university this year, 2023, August. Could u tell me that do open university allow students with a fail A levels , I've heard they allow admissions as they don't have any entry requirements. Could u confirm it that can I go with a failed A levels to study bachelor in computing and it at open university. Please respond to my msg , a great fan. Thank you
You can pretty much as many credits as you want a year up to 120 credits. Most units are 30 or 60 credits. And you leave gaps between study as long as you complete the degree within 16 years.
hi i am looking at starting open uni this october. You mentioned in the video that first year modules don't count towards the end degree. but what is the point of the first year if it doesnt count towards the degree your working for? Is it just to introduce you to a certain subject?
stage 1 is the mandatory foundation and yields 120 credits of the 360 required for an honours degree. these credits are not included in the calculations to work out the *classification* of degree (First, 2:1, etc.) but you must have those, either by completing OU modules or transferring sufficient previous degree-level credits from another institution, to complete the full degree programme.
I heard you say math was one of your strong subjects in school around 4:00 to 5:00 mins in but I watched one for your older vids an you said your not very good or something like that at math.. hmm. Unless I've missed heard you
Maths was always a subject I did well in whilst at school and as such I chose the harder maths module assuming I would do okay. As the harder maths module content is at an A Level standard, not the GCSE level I had done before at school, it was a module I struggled with and had to postpone to another year which was quite the wake up call for me at the time.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, main things I’m struggling on is maths, I hate PDPs and always repeating the same plans and losing marks for it 😂
I procrastinate a LOT T_T
a tip is to really plan your studies out well so you don't fall behind
Thank you for your advice :). For picking modules I also look up the modules to try and find student reviews. Some modules are run better than others. I also struggle with motivation (but I'm not sure if it's a me thing) but the practical modules help with that
My personal experience with the OU has been a bit hit and miss. Im doing psychology and am almost finished year 1. After a couple of months into the degree, I got a volunteer job in mental health. After doing 4 months, I decided I don’t want to do it as a career. Kind of left me feeling very demotivated in studying because I know it’s not going to benefit a career. Looking at changing to an open degree so I can still pursue a degree but to be fair, I may need to get back into the workplace because every interview I’ve had seems to hate the fact I’m doing a degree. Apparently this makes you unreliable and likely to leave. Alongside uni I’ve been working voluntarily as a writer with aspirations of getting a career in the field but after months of writing and applying for paid work, it’s amounted to nothing lol
One of my tutors is good and the other isn’t great. Their feedback is pretty contradictory and unhelpful for future TMA’s. It’s actually to a point where I only do the essays and study what I have to.
Definitely a predicament because pursuing what you enjoy and what will pay the bills are usually two different things. I’d love nothing more than to do writing/business modules for year 2/3 but financially it’s just getting pretty tough.
I’m glad you got through the degree. You’re the reason I took the leap and I’m glad I did. It’s definitely helped me decide more about what I want from life. Don’t know whether I’ll get the full degree but it’s certainly been interesting. The course content itself is pretty good!
Thank you for opening up about your experience with OU and studying for a degree in general. It can be a massive kick in the gut when your original idea of a career doesn’t wok out. It can be tough deciding between trying something you enjoy but doesn’t guarantee a job or sticking with a tried and tested career that will give you some stability. I’m in a similar position, currently got a customer service role but crave something bigger and better.
Obviously only you can decide which is the right option for you, I can only offer the generic advice that you’ve probably seen time and time again. Which is that you don’t need to give up your writing aspiration even if you do start working or studying for a different career. Writing can be very flexible when you first start and if you carry on pursuing it you will start to pick up odd jobs here and there which can lead to a more permanent position or a recurring client depending on your desired outcome. You just need to keep at it!
Your point about tutors being contradicting with one another is a valid opinion. I often got different advice on how I should appropriately reference my sources etc. One way was perfect for one tutor, the next wanted a slightly different layout. I’m glad I helped give you the confidence to get back in to education and I commend you for putting a positive spin on your experience and acknowledging that even though it didn’t go to plan it has helped point you in the right direction. Good luck with what you decide to do going forward, I hope to come across a piece of your writing at some point in the future!
imho, any potential employer stating, particularly in an interview, a negative view of a candidate self-studying at degree level is a red flag and says more about the interviewer's attitude to motivated and ambitious individuals than it does about their reliability and likelihood to leave/change employment. it's more than likely you dodged some very poor organisations more interested in the 'bum on seat' approach to vacancy filling, than considering your skills alignment, fit for culture, and potential as a valued employee. as a fellow OU student, you should be proud of your achievements and your dedication to furthering your education and employment prospects.
Hi Tom. I don't know if you still reply to comments but I would like some advice if you don't mind answering it would be highly appreciated. I'm doing BSc Computing & IT and Mathematics so my choices for the Computing modules are either [Stage 2 M250 + TT284 (or the updated version - TM252) and then Stage 3 TM352] or [Stage 2 M250 + M269 and then Stage 3 TM352]. I'd prefer doing M269 over TT284 (due to multiple people telling me that it's very good for practical programming skills) only if TM352 more or less covers TT284 as well as obviously covering different topics/going more in depth. But if I'd be missing out on a particular programming skill from missing out TT284 and just doing TM352 instead and/or TT284 gives me a different programming skill that wouldn't be covered in TM352 then I'd have to reconsider so I just want to make sure. I don't mind if taking TM352 without TT284 would be more challenging but it's just that I don't want to miss out on an important key basic concept that TT284 will cover but TM352 might not so as long as TM352 does a small recap then it should be fine. But obviously I wouldn't know that without taking the course so what do you think?
Hi Tom
Planning on doing IT and Computing (software) starting in October...i have almost zero IT Experience but am pretty good at sticking to the work given and would have no problem with study etc. Do you think this is feasible to do with no Experience?
Thanks buddy love the videos, very helpful
I started the computing and IT degree in April. Didn’t have much experience either aside from GCSE level. They completely ease you in as if you don’t know anything. I definitely recommend going for it 😊
@@bethanyscarlett6849 what’s your take on the math courses that are part of the compulsory modules for the computing and IT degree. How difficult are they? Should I go for it given the price??
@@vd9177 I’ve not started the Maths modules yet, going to start one in October. They offer two different Maths modules you can choose from. One is GCSE level skill and the other is more A-Level. However I’ve heard from other students in my group that have started them that they’re excellent.
@@vd9177 you have a choice between mu123/mst124. they are both worth 30 credits. mu123 is easier (A/Higher level) and does not have an exam, mst124 has an exam and i understand is more involved. if you don't intend to go down a pure programming route with your other modules, mu123 is a straightforward 30-credit module with plenty of additional resources available online to get you through it.
I’m starting my journey in Feb with Open University, but decided to do a free access course to ease myself in, and honestly I’m so excited. It’s usually 30 weeks but they have an 18 week fast track option which I took. Again, for me this was free so that’s win win. Hoping to do an Open degree after that!
yes maths module is MU123
Hi Tom,
I've been following you from my other account since the beginning of your channel, and because of you, I've decided to go to the open university for my bachelor in computing and it but I kind of didn't did well at my A levels (probably fail) like a 0. I'm trying to go to open university this year, 2023, August. Could u tell me that do open university allow students with a fail A levels , I've heard they allow admissions as they don't have any entry requirements. Could u confirm it that can I go with a failed A levels to study bachelor in computing and it at open university. Please respond to my msg , a great fan. Thank you
Hello Sarah, yes the OU will allow you to study as they don’t have any formal entry requirements 🙂
Oh hope I get the admission, thank you for your help 💛
i don't even know why I'm studying..
Can a student complete the degree at their own pace? Can a student finish any courses early if they can? Will the school allow that?
You can pretty much as many credits as you want a year up to 120 credits. Most units are 30 or 60 credits. And you leave gaps between study as long as you complete the degree within 16 years.
hi i am looking at starting open uni this october. You mentioned in the video that first year modules don't count towards the end degree. but what is the point of the first year if it doesnt count towards the degree your working for? Is it just to introduce you to a certain subject?
stage 1 is the mandatory foundation and yields 120 credits of the 360 required for an honours degree. these credits are not included in the calculations to work out the *classification* of degree (First, 2:1, etc.) but you must have those, either by completing OU modules or transferring sufficient previous degree-level credits from another institution, to complete the full degree programme.
@@ncodr Oh okay that makes sense thank you
I heard you say math was one of your strong subjects in school around 4:00 to 5:00 mins in but I watched one for your older vids an you said your not very good or something like that at math.. hmm. Unless I've missed heard you
Maths was always a subject I did well in whilst at school and as such I chose the harder maths module assuming I would do okay. As the harder maths module content is at an A Level standard, not the GCSE level I had done before at school, it was a module I struggled with and had to postpone to another year which was quite the wake up call for me at the time.
@@TomWagstaff ahh I see okay Man. I hope you graduated with the grades you wanted.
That’s me😢