Sue's study success

Sue tells us about studying literature with the Open University.

What prompted you to study for a degree?

Primarily I returned to study for pleasure and personal development. I had wanted to study again for years as I felt I hadn' t used my brain much since leaving school, but full time work got in the way.

Someone suggested the Open University which was a good solution. I began my studies by doing a part time course at college. I got an A level in English, a subject I have always enjoyed, then I felt brave enough to try for a degree with the Open University.

How did you find a course that suited your needs?

I found a course that suited me by browsing the Open University site online. I also sent off for a prospectus by post. There were many courses but for me it was an easy choice. I simply chose English Literature because it is something I really enjoy.

I found you can choose different modules within your chosen subject to create your own pathway. I decided to link the literature to English language as I thought it might be advantageous if I found a job in the future with my degree, even though I wasn' t doing it for a career.

Tell us what you studied on the course.

The course was very wide ranging. The language modules covered how language has been shaped over centuries of invasion and immigration and has evolved over time and according to social class and regional differences. The course discussed grammar rules, meanings of signs and symbols and marketing techniques, basically how language is put together. 

The Literature courses encompassed many female novelists and examined how women have been portrayed in novels through the generations up to the modern day. It included writers from different cultural and class backgrounds. There was a lot of emphasis on different interpretations of the texts we encountered.

What was your favourite part of the course?

My favourite modules were literature based. 

I enjoyed the module the 19th Century Novel. I also enjoyed the Children' s Literature modules, as I work with children and found aspects that overlapped with my existing knowledge. 

I discovered some fantastic books to read with my son in the future. 

I liked that there are different perspectives and I was fascinated by academic interpretations and also other students at tutorials and online groups, which gave a real insight into other people’s minds!

 I found the reading easy to do, as it is something I enjoy doing.

What did you least enjoy?

Although I did enjoy the history of language, I liked the language modules the least. This was because it was, I felt, overly analytical, and the heavy focus on meanings sometimes destroys the enjoyment of language. I preferred the imaginative flow of novels. I got round this by making sure I allotted myself time to read for pleasure.

Everyone will have  different preferences, Which is fine.

What obstacles did you encounter whilst studying and how did you overcome them?

The main obstacle I encountered for me personally, is my lack of technological skills. The courses all contain an enormous amount of online activity. But I found you can and should ask for help whatever it is, if needed. The point of courses is to learn new skills and information, after all.

I had a baby during my degree course, in my mid forties. Although most over 50s won' t be in this situation, it does show you can juggle family and other commitments with study. It just requires careful planning and a flexible timetable.

I found tutorials a challenge, as I am not confident but I found invariably I would contribute something and it was worth just listening to others.

What are your favourite books and authors?

My all time favourite book on the course was The Woman in White, by Wilkie Collins, for it' s mystery and complexity. Also despite that it was written by a male author in 1859, it highlights the harsh reality of women' s lives at that time, without appearing to condone it, in my view at least.

I also loved the children' s novel Tom's Midnight Garden by Phillippa Pearce which I remember from childhood, a nice nostalgic trip down memory lane.

What tips would you pass on to someone thinking of doing a course as a mature student?

Firstly I would like to say you are never too old to study. Lots of mature students wonder if they are, yet you may have time and importantly, you may have a genuine interest in study, as you have chosen it. Also you may have a wealth of life experiences which will help you relate to your course of study.

My main tip for mature students is to choose subjects you really love doing, it makes it much easier.. I would also say if you study online, then join student groups and attend tutorials if you can..and of course make use of tutor feedback, it is invaluable in improving your marks. It is always worth asking if you are in doubt about anything. Don' t be discouraged if your marks aren' t as high as you hoped, they will improve as you continue the course and some assignments will be easier than others.

Some people you meet will be helpful and inspiring, others less so, but you will discover more about yourself and your opinions from them all and it will open a window in your mind that you never need to close! 

Good luck to all students!