Open University Struggles
I have seen other posts on here saying their open university experience so far has been frustrating. So wanted to share what I am currently experiencing.
I have been studying with open university now for almost 3 years. You get a different tutor for every module you are on. The tutor I have for my current module just doesnt seem to like me, and thats fine. But I have pointed out several times to her that I feel her feedback is 100% negative and I dont receive any positive feedback from her, even pointers as to where I am doing well. Yet I am still passing the assignment. I have questioned this before and said if I am passing the assignment I would like to know what I am doing well, so I know what I need to change and what I can keep the same. I am 9 times out of 10 met with a very passive aggressive remark, saying that I just need to use the course materials etc. All of my tutors in the past have had no issue telling me where I am excelling, and what I need to work on. I feel like that is just balanced feedback. I was really struggling with the feedback I was getting from her so I did put an official complaint in, after multiple efforts trying to get some advice from her on this. She then emailed me and said she has seen the complaint, as tutors are allowed to read them. She has been harassing me for the past couple of days, saying she has spoken to her boss etc because it is affecting her, saying she has contacted student support herself and gave them lists of reasons why I am lying etc. She has used very combative language and has been very intimidating in her emails. She even said "you should have said if all you wanted was positive feedback" which again, unprofessional, combative and unnecessary. The complaints team are looking over my case but in all honesty I dont think itll go anywhere because she is a tutor. It has actually gave me so much anxiety and is making me feel sick. What should I do?
I have been studying with open university now for almost 3 years. You get a different tutor for every module you are on. The tutor I have for my current module just doesnt seem to like me, and thats fine. But I have pointed out several times to her that I feel her feedback is 100% negative and I dont receive any positive feedback from her, even pointers as to where I am doing well. Yet I am still passing the assignment. I have questioned this before and said if I am passing the assignment I would like to know what I am doing well, so I know what I need to change and what I can keep the same. I am 9 times out of 10 met with a very passive aggressive remark, saying that I just need to use the course materials etc. All of my tutors in the past have had no issue telling me where I am excelling, and what I need to work on. I feel like that is just balanced feedback. I was really struggling with the feedback I was getting from her so I did put an official complaint in, after multiple efforts trying to get some advice from her on this. She then emailed me and said she has seen the complaint, as tutors are allowed to read them. She has been harassing me for the past couple of days, saying she has spoken to her boss etc because it is affecting her, saying she has contacted student support herself and gave them lists of reasons why I am lying etc. She has used very combative language and has been very intimidating in her emails. She even said "you should have said if all you wanted was positive feedback" which again, unprofessional, combative and unnecessary. The complaints team are looking over my case but in all honesty I dont think itll go anywhere because she is a tutor. It has actually gave me so much anxiety and is making me feel sick. What should I do?
Reply 1
Can I say, I am so sorry to hear this and the experience you have received in this.
Please be aware that you can reach out to the Open SU Individual Representation Service.
This is not an ideal situation to be in, and you are in your right to empathise that you are unhappy with the situation.
Also, reach out to the Student Leadership Team at Open SU. They would be interested to know more about this.
Please be aware that you can reach out to the Open SU Individual Representation Service.
This is not an ideal situation to be in, and you are in your right to empathise that you are unhappy with the situation.
Also, reach out to the Student Leadership Team at Open SU. They would be interested to know more about this.
Reply 2
Original post
by Silverith1997-I have seen other posts on here saying their open university experience so far has been frustrating. So wanted to share what I am currently experiencing.
I have been studying with open university now for almost 3 years. You get a different tutor for every module you are on. The tutor I have for my current module just doesnt seem to like me, and thats fine. But I have pointed out several times to her that I feel her feedback is 100% negative and I dont receive any positive feedback from her, even pointers as to where I am doing well. Yet I am still passing the assignment. I have questioned this before and said if I am passing the assignment I would like to know what I am doing well, so I know what I need to change and what I can keep the same. I am 9 times out of 10 met with a very passive aggressive remark, saying that I just need to use the course materials etc. All of my tutors in the past have had no issue telling me where I am excelling, and what I need to work on. I feel like that is just balanced feedback. I was really struggling with the feedback I was getting from her so I did put an official complaint in, after multiple efforts trying to get some advice from her on this. She then emailed me and said she has seen the complaint, as tutors are allowed to read them. She has been harassing me for the past couple of days, saying she has spoken to her boss etc because it is affecting her, saying she has contacted student support herself and gave them lists of reasons why I am lying etc. She has used very combative language and has been very intimidating in her emails. She even said "you should have said if all you wanted was positive feedback" which again, unprofessional, combative and unnecessary. The complaints team are looking over my case but in all honesty I dont think itll go anywhere because she is a tutor. It has actually gave me so much anxiety and is making me feel sick. What should I do?
I have been studying with open university now for almost 3 years. You get a different tutor for every module you are on. The tutor I have for my current module just doesnt seem to like me, and thats fine. But I have pointed out several times to her that I feel her feedback is 100% negative and I dont receive any positive feedback from her, even pointers as to where I am doing well. Yet I am still passing the assignment. I have questioned this before and said if I am passing the assignment I would like to know what I am doing well, so I know what I need to change and what I can keep the same. I am 9 times out of 10 met with a very passive aggressive remark, saying that I just need to use the course materials etc. All of my tutors in the past have had no issue telling me where I am excelling, and what I need to work on. I feel like that is just balanced feedback. I was really struggling with the feedback I was getting from her so I did put an official complaint in, after multiple efforts trying to get some advice from her on this. She then emailed me and said she has seen the complaint, as tutors are allowed to read them. She has been harassing me for the past couple of days, saying she has spoken to her boss etc because it is affecting her, saying she has contacted student support herself and gave them lists of reasons why I am lying etc. She has used very combative language and has been very intimidating in her emails. She even said "you should have said if all you wanted was positive feedback" which again, unprofessional, combative and unnecessary. The complaints team are looking over my case but in all honesty I dont think itll go anywhere because she is a tutor. It has actually gave me so much anxiety and is making me feel sick. What should I do?
That sounds like an incredibly heavy situation to be carrying, especially when you’ve already put three years of hard work into your degree. It is completely understandable why you’re feeling anxious; the student-tutor relationship is built on a power imbalance, and when that dynamic turns adversarial, it feels very isolating.
While I only have your side of the story, the scenario you’re describing regardless of the initial feedback dispute and the most important thing right now is to protect your mental space so you can finish your module. If you feel up to it, it might be worth explicitly telling the complaints team that the tutor's direct contact is causing you significant distress. Here are the specific departments you should be in contact with to help manage this:
Student Support Team (SST)
OU Students Association (OUSA)
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Because you mentioned the situation is making you feel physically sick and causing significant anxiety, you can reach out to the OU’s internal wellbeing facilitators.
I hope this helps?
Andrew
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