I struggled slightly when I reached the beginning of the second unit, (the Representations unit). I worked through the harder parts of that unit though and started to enjoy the work towards the end. I’m now working on the 3rd unit (Crossing the boundary: Analogue universe, digital world). I’ve definitely enjoyed it much much more than the previous two units. (The first was just an introduction and was slightly boring, the 2nd a little harder to get my head around as it didn’t appear at first to have much relation to computers, and the 3rd unit I’ve enjoyed much more, especially the binary section).

After some reflection, I don’t think I’m going to enjoy every aspect of the course. For example I’m looking forward to the practical work in the programming section more than the theory work, but people at the tutorial are really enjoying the written aspects and not looking forward to the practical work, so I guess it depends what your personal interests are.

I found out that there are two units at the end of the programming sections that are fully optional, (you can skip them if your struggling with the programming and don’t intend to take it any further). I think I’m going togive them a go. I didn’t plan on taking the programming any further after this course, but now that I’ve actually started the work, I think it might be something I’d like to delve into a little deeper.

My first tutorial was last Wednesday, and I was seriously worried before I went. I already new that I’d probably be the youngest person there, but didn’t think I’d be the only under 25. I didn’t really get on with the person I was sitting next to either, but she said afterwards that she had not been feeling very well, so hopefully the convocation will flow a little easier next time. I didn’t get a chance to talk to anyone else, so I really shouldn’t judge I guess.

The tutor is very very lovely, her interests lay in programming, and she’s tutored the same course for many years. She’s also a student with the Open University (working at the moment for the Certificate in Web Applications), so has experience from both aspects.

I applied a few days ago for my next two courses (which is a ‘ARRR’ moment, as I took two extra courses on that will start in February, so will have 3 courses running in total at that time). The first one is ‘Networked living: exploring information and communication technologies’, I’m not quite sure yet whether it’s my kind of thing, but It was definitely the better option over the other 3 courses which all involved maths, and I definitely wouldn’t have been able to manage that, especially at university level! The second course I registered for is ‘Web applications: design, development and management’ (which will count towards my Certificate in Web Applications). It’s only a 12 week course, but is a level higher than the other courses I’m studying at the moment and will be a lot more intense, so I have mixed feelings about it at the moment.

I’m really trying to push myself and aim to achieve my degree in 4 years, but as of yet, I’m not sure if it will be that way in reality. It’s a lot of work, and I’d definitley say I’m slightly worried that my health won’t hold out.

Bring on February I say.

Slowly more and more of the StudentHome website is becoming available to me, I’m now able to read over the course materials online (the material I’m waiting to arrive in the post). I haven’t given it too much of a read, as Ill do that when it arrives in the post, but has been good to see more in depth what each unit is going to contain.

I don’t quite understand at the moment how the study actually works (something I’ll need to find out about..). I’m guessing it revolves around the course forum though.

Have further introduced myself on the forum, so hopefully some good solid study friends can come out of that.

Mood: Anxious
Stage in course: Waiting for course starting date.

The StudentHome recommended i read through ‘New to OU Study’, so i decided to take some time out to read over everything so i could orientate myself to the OU and to work out what to expect.

Was definitely the right course of action. I felt so much better after reading over everything. I was able to find my way to my email in-box, and subsequently managed to find the M150 course forums. I felt much calmer after introducing myself.

I then managed to find the ‘Courses’ section of the StudentHome, and realized that my course materials had been dispatched. I expected them to be sent 3 weeks before my course start date, but didn’t realize that we had already reached 3 weeks before. Dam! The time had flown by.

I’m looking forward to my course materials arriving, so i can sort out all of the papers and file the items in to some form of order. I actually am looking forward to reading over the material!

I think I’ll relax a little more when the details of my tutor arrive. Knowing when the course tutorials will be will also help.

I really didn’t think I’d be as excited as i am. The course is going to give me something to work towards, something to focus my time, give me direction, something i’ve not had in a very, very long time.

I’m not yet sure if I’m going to make the blog entries public, or private, but am hoping to be able to track my progress, so i can look back and be able to work out how i coped at the different stages of the course.

Mood: Excited
Stage in course: Waiting for the course to start.