Distance learning courses
 

So my great aunt said she would pay for me to do this short course via distance learning before Christmas as my present. I was really worried about committing myself to it because well I'm not coping great. I kept putting her off.

This morning I got a letter saying 'Thank-you for your application and course fees'

She applied on my behalf!!

I'm rather nervous about it. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, it's a lot of money from her pension that has gone into it and I'm scared of letting her down - I specialise right now in letting people down.

Has anyone here done a distance learning course? I have done one before but it was years ago and pre mental health issues. I was wondering how people found it.

Hey, I like your aunt's spirit :hehe: .

I've just started the first part of an Open University maths degree. I'm already realising that it is quite a commitment (due to poor concentration recently and not being able to do much prep in december). However, when I can "get into it" I find it is a good distraction as it keeps my mind better occupied than watching tv or similar. At the moment, I am having to do just little blocks at a time and fingers crossed I will get back my ability to concentrate soon.

What is the course? Do they have a suggested study session plan?

Who is your course provider? The OU ask if you have any disabilities so they can take them into account, giving you a little more flexibility if you need it.

Yeah upside down smiley is appropriate for her definitely :-)

It isn't OU. I studied with them in the past but found it very difficult because I am colourblind and don't have my own computer. This is through a theological college. I can take up to a year to complete, it's a dissertation and several essays.

Perhaps I will contact them about my health anyway because it isn't for a qualification. I'll write and ask.

It's just a bit daunting. Especially because it is theology and my voice is (claims to be) an angel so I don't know if it would actually be distracting.

Though I guess that's irrelevant as she has gone and done it anyway!!!!

It sounds like it is fairly flexible then and so should be ok for you to have breaks from it when you don't feel able to do it.e

Which theological college is it? i have nearly signed up to courses via one before.

Sorry no suggestions re your voice.

Glad that your aunt signed you up and hope you enjoy the course. Do you get mailings of materials soon?

I did a counselling theory course by distance learning. It wasn't a formal qualification, but it was fairly intense and a good start to my next steps.

I'm currently considering a writing course - and a distance learning one seems the best one for my interests.

The good thing about distance learning courses is that you can do the work when you're in the right frame of mind.

It arrived today. I've not opened it. :(

I can't stop myself from opening packages, etc. Open it hun, it'll be exciting for you.

I can't usually either. But I've had an espcially bad day today and can't face it (basically I'm being pathetic!!!) Tommorow maybe....

I've applied to start an OU masters in May and have just started to recieve stuff on it.

What I would say is give it your best shot and talk to your aunt about it all

xox

Enjoy opening the package Becca!

Opening it is the best bit - flicking through the pages etc. In a while you actucally have to do the work, that's the trickier bit!

I'm in my last couple of months of a Masters in Development Management with Open University - it's a bit tough at the moment but time passes a lot quicker than you think! Once you start you'll be fine.

Completely agree. degree and post grad was in law, decided to start maths degree for fun *bangs head against wall*

I liked Maths at school (sad but true) - not sure about a degree though!

Theology sounds interesting - what made you decide (or your aunt decide!) on that? Have yuo opened the package yet?!

Speaking of DLC's, does anyone know if you can get help with funding for it if you're on Incapacity Benefit/DLA? I'm REALLY wanting to do something with my time (possibly re-do my GCSE English to get higher marks, or go straight to English A-Level) but the courses are SO expensive i know i wouldn't beable to afford it.
Am going to ask my OT (Occupational Therapist) but i wanted to ask here incase anyone had any ideas.

Oh and sorry for hiijacking your thread Becca hun! Goodluck with the course - you'll do fine, just have confidence in yourself. They're really flexible aswell. X

Re. funding for things - I think that the OU offers reduced prices for courses if you are on benefits and so on.

Have you opened it yet Becca?

I don't want to do an OU course, there's nothing on the site that grabs me, and they're too much commitment for me, i just wanted to do a DLC but it seems impossible. heh. Cheers anyway. x

The OU does short courses as well. And most Colleges do evening classes that are very cheap/free if you're on benefits - but that's not distance learning though

Thanks for the replies. I have opened it. It's scarey so I put it back in.

There is no time limit which seemed a good idea at the time but now I'm not so sure. There's a letter saying I must be in reciept of help for my mental health problems cos they won't do support or anything like that. Which is fair enough except my support is waning. Need to do a support post about that me thinks...

So er yeah box open. Read letter. Get scared. Box closed.

:crazy:

Why theology? its a history of the church - faith/buildings and it's something that fasinates me to be honest. I have no intention of doing anything with it and it might open doors later for funding for a course I want to do.

Acrasia, no apologies needed hun. I have sent you a PM.

x
Becca

Well done - step 1 (opening it) out of the way!

It always looks scary, but when you start doing it bit by bit you will surprise yourself -honest!

I'm about to finish a 2 year course, if you'd told me 2 years ago thatI could have learnt as much as I have, I wouldn't have believed you!

Is there a study guide, schedule or something that breaks the course down into units/modules? I'd ignore the rest for now & try to find that...

Sorry to crash this thread Becca but I have had real troubles trying to keep up with the course due to problems with motivation - not even being going to work at times. I am probably about a week and a half behind. it doesn't look as though my concentration and motivation is going to improve loads any time soon. Any suggestions?