My first year at Open University
Some of my results for MU123.
About this time last year, I wrote a post talking about starting my Mathematics BSc at the Open University. A year on, I’m pleased to report that it has been a successful year.
In my first year I have studied two modules:
MU123 is an introductory maths module which is set at around GCSE level. M140 is an introductory statistics module, which is pitched between GCSE and AS-level.
I chose these modules because they are both course-work assessed with no final exam, covering the least demanding material in this stage of the degree. They are gentle introductions, which suited me after 20 or so years out of formal education.
I passed MU123 with a distinction and my results for M140 are pending with the final result being due at the end of October. However, I am hoping and expecting that this too will be a distinction as I averaged 90% on the course work.
Tips for new students
A year ago, I was looking for blogs and tips from people who were just starting out at The Open University. I was hoping to find some simple tips to help with studying after being out of education for so long. In this section, I’ll pay it forward, as it were, and give my tips to any budding new students.
Try to stay ahead of the course material
The key piece of advice I would give is to get ahead of the study planner’s unit date if you can. This is buffer you may need to draw on when things get busy at work or in your home life.
Do as many activities as you can
The way the courses are structured is that you have a series of textbooks that walk you through the material. Mathematics is learned through practice, so it’s key to do as many activities as you can from the textbooks. Don’t skip them as you’ll need this practice when you come to do your course work.
Have a quality process for your Tutor Marked Assessments (TMAs)
Tutor marked assessments form the bed-rock for the two modules I studied this year. The submissions, in conjunction with the smaller interactive computer marked assessments (iCMAs) made up 50% of the grade.
The key piece of advice is complete the TMA questions almost immediately after the unit where you studied the material. Each question is marked with the unit the material is covered in.
My process involved completing the entire TMA and then leaving it for a couple of weeks. Then I’d carefully walk through the TMA question by question with a checklist recorded in Google Sheets. The checklist would contain things as “Have you carefully read the question”, “Is my rounding and units right?” etc.
Only once I had completed the entire checklist would I submit the TMA.
Consider using LaTeX from the start
I used the mathematical typesetting tool, LaTex, from my first TMA. While this is not strictly necessary - you can handwrite or do your TMAs in Microsoft Word, it means your TMAs are nicely laid out and presentable. It does have a steep learning curve that may not be appropriate for someone who doesn’t have a background in computers like me.
Go to tutorials
I’ll admit I didn’t go to nearly enough tutorials in my first year. This was mostly due to time pressure at work. The ones I did attend, I really got value out of. The tutorials allow you to speak to the course tutors and allow you to see worked examples for the units you are studying.
There are tutorials at any time of the week either during the day or in the evenings. Even if you can’t attend live, you can always watch back the recording.
Find a community of people
I joined a OU Stem discord group. It’s nice to have a group of people who are going through the same journey as you and share many of the same challenges with motivation and completing the assignments on time.
What’s next?
This year, my aim is complete the “Certificate of Higher Education.” This is the first certificate which marks the completion of Stage 1 of the degree.
To do that, I’ll need to secure a passing grade of at least 40% on these courses:
These courses are a significant step up in difficulty and will take me to genuine undergraduate level in mathematics.
The books have already arrived for MST124 and the website opens on the 10th of September. I plan to start MST125 in February, 2025.
If all goes well, I will have the first certificate in my hand by about this time next year. Wish me luck!