The books have arrived, our brand new notepad is bought and the pens and pencils are in place. With every new Open University module there is usually a mix of excitement and trepidation. I was always pleased to see the course books sitting fresh and untouched on my table before the module...

It sits in the corner with a visible spine, reminding you of what it is and what you need to be doing. The Open University course book, sometimes thin, sometimes fat, sometimes almost mocking as it reminds you of the “need to read”.  There is often such a bulk of information to read...

Here at Surviving the OU we spend a fair few hours each week flicking through social media. Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, there are a few about. If there’s one feature of the Open University Students’ Twitter account that always brings a smile to my face then it’s the “best overheard” tweets. This account...

I love distance learning. Studying in my own time on my own terms without the restrictions of a brick-and-mortar university perfectly suits my needs. As a full-time employee, father and husband I would not be able to attend regular classes of tutorials having missed out on university after school. After completing my...