![]() ![]() These are the three things I wish I had known when I started myĬourses (not sure if it's applicable to other universities, but it's most definitely applicable to OU): OUSA Mac General (for students using Apple computers my favorite conference outside of course conferences) OUSA MA/MSc (for students pursuing Masters degrees) OUSA OUDES (for students pursuing or completed degrees in development management or environmental studies) OUSA Br Dusseldorf (I'm in Sinzig, Germany, and this is the nearest branch) In lieu of onsite classes, the online conferences will greatly enhance your learning experience and make you feel much more of a part of OU.īack in the day, I was a part of the following OU online student conferences on the First Class Client (along with those affiliated with my current courses and the MSc in Development Management): You will be able to interact with other students in your course and particular field of study, as well as students in your geographic area. Particularly for students studying remotely, online interactions via whatever platform OU is using for courses are essential in successfully completing OU courses. In addition, you may find that the materials from the course are of value in your professional work, and having them offline gives you access long after your platform access has ended. If there are items you can download, do so - that way, you can read them without having to logon. You are granted access to your course platform as soon as your course starts. The conferences could also be accessed via the OU web site. When I was attending OU, they used the platform FirstClass, which was fantastic. In fact, I think you should check them on a weekly basis. ![]() One of the biggest mistakes OU students make, in my opinion, is not checking OU's online platform for your course regularly. When you are asked to fill out a chart comparing two things, but it's not something that will be graded, DO IT ANYWAY - often, these exercises/discussion questions will end up being part of exam questions.Ĭheck OU's Online Platforms For Your Course WEEKLY For me, setting (and meeting) reading goals was also helpful in budgeting time for vacations and special events - or just down time with a boyfriend and dogs.ĭo all of the exercises suggested, even those that are not graded. Youĭo not want to get behind in your readings. ![]() Do your best to read all of the materials, of course, but pick only those sections that interest you most to intensely study for the exam.Īnother key, which I figured out early on: setting goals for each week, each month, and each period between assignments, in terms of what and how many chapters and activities to complete, is the only way to stay on top of this, to not let these courses overwhelm you, and to prevent your finding yourself with a mountain of reading at any particular time. Each course had a two-week vacation built in, so you should be able to take at least that much time off in a course (I was able to take off three weeks during each course but, again, I read fast).Ī key to studying the courses successfully and easily, which I wish I had been told early on, is to really, really concentrate only on two-thirds of the course (some other students have said just half). I usually studied Sunday - Wednesday nights, so that I could have Thursday - Saturday nights off. I budgeted time four days/nights a week for two-three hours each of those days for reading and homework (but please note that I read REALLY fast). These are courses for a real degree, not some cheapy thing you buy off the Internet. That's because these are graduate -level courses. Don't skip any intros or overviews, as they offer some of the most valuable information on what is most important to focus on in the readings.But to know where information you need most is, you have to READ the materials. There's no need to try to find resources outside of class materials. ![]() Truly, everything you need to know to do the assignments and take the exams is in the written materials, and reinforced in the excellent videos and audios that accompany materials.
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