Starting an OU course is... interesting. I did a few of the OpenLearn things before I started last year, along with the tests to assess ability/prior knowledge (to help you understand which modules to start with). They were easy. In late September I got the work books through for a couple of 10 credit modules. Again, easy. The deadlines were WAY off as well, so I became a bit complacent. 'This thing will be easy!'. Then at the end of October I received delivery of a box full of books for my 60 credit module. This thing was huge. It also contained a note apologising for the absence of some books - there was a printing problem. At that moment I was bricking it. I checked out the deadlines for this module and they were tight - a book every three weeks, with a TMA and iCMA deadline the following week (coinciding with week 1 of the first book). I struggled so much after Christmas with two EMAs, a TMA (for my least favourite book, so I had a serious lack of motivation), an iCMA and a timetable to keep on top of.
Moral of the story? Never assume something like this will be easy. Assume that if it is easy then you just haven't got to the hard bit yet.
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