Studying on Sunday: My Open University Journey #1

So I thought I would start a new weekly feature that hopefully you will all be interested in. Well okay some of you lol. As I have mentioned before in rambling post in February 2015 I started studying The Open University. I completed the access course Y032 People, work and society Access on the 10th of September and I am awaiting my results due at the end of the October. I was worried about studying again after so many years out of education but I found myself well supported and enjoying the course. It was very interesting and a good way to test the waters. It was split into different blocks with 6 units in each. Each block had a unit for a different discipline. The disciplines were Childhood studies, Health, Law, Psychology, Sociology and business. There is three assignments during the course (to help with your learning and monitor your progress) and a final examiner marked assignment that decides wether you have failed, passed or got a distinction for the course. You are supported by a tutor and which you have regular phone tutorials and email contact with. Some of the units are online and throughout online and offline units  you have activities to help you learn and online tests to check if you understand what you are learning. For the access course and some other modules as well as online materials you get an exciting delivery with books, guides, dvds and for my access materials I also got an awesome tote bag.

I will be honest I did find it hard going at times and not all the units were interesting to me. I have multiple health issues which perhaps made it harder. It was worth it though and I have met a lot of interesting people in the forums and through facebook. It was nice to know that I wasn't alone and still had a semi social element to it.

Why did I chose The OU?

I have multiple health issues which leave me housebound and often bed bound. The reason I chose to study was to try and break the boredom and pain cycle i found myself in. Each day felt the same because due to pain, tiredness and restricted mobility, I couldnt do much at all and dependent on others doing so much for me I felt like I had nothing that was for me. (I hope that makes sense). The Open University seems like the perfect match there offer a lot of different methods of support for disabled and non disabled students. I can study part time, without leaving the house or even my bed on my really bad days. Although there is dates for assignments to be submitted by and tutorials, I can study at my own pace. Another reason I chose to study again was to improve my employability chances if my health starts to improve.

Current Study Plans

I have decided to study Law and do the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree part time. It will take six years and be a struggle because of my health but I am excited and determined. I am nervous about later years due to exams but I know they do a home exam option, so I am sure it will work out okay. 

So as of yesterday I am officially a Law student! This year my module is W101 An introduction to law. The first week is more an introductory week. So I will hopefully have a more interesting post next week especially as I wll have had my first tutorial online. 

I have decided to try ad blog every week own my study journey as I have been looking or other Law student blogs in the UK especially Open University and have not found much at all. I also feel it will be good because of my health issues to be an additional motivator and perhaps help others wth health issues realise it is not too late. I hope you check back next week.

But for now I guess I should get studying..........

Rinny :)

Feel free to comment below.

*** Rinny Reviews *** Best Kind Of Broken (Finding Fate #1) by Chelsea Fine

*** Disclaimer *** - I received a free copy from Clara at Little Brown Book Group in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis

Pixie and Levi haven't spoken in nearly a year when they find themselves working―and living―at the same inn in the middle of nowhere. Once upon a time, they were childhood friends. But that was before everything went to hell. And now things are... awkward.

All they want to do is avoid each other, and their past, for as long as possible. But now that they're forced to share a bathroom, and therefore a shower, keeping their distance from one another becomes less difficult than keeping their hands off each other. Welcome to the hallway of awkward tension and sexual frustration, folks. Get comfy. It’s going to be a long summer.

Goodreads

Publishing Paperback 13th January 2015

Review

When Clara came too me and offered me the choice between three books to read this cover drew my attention straight away! I do not usually like covers with just people on the cover but this cover is beautiful and perfect for the book. I was a little sceptical still as I do not read a lot of contemporary books and tend to stay away from new adult. However boy am I glad I did not pass this book up.

I read this in one sitting shushing everyone who spoke to me and ignoring everything I should not. The author's writing was moreish and beautiful to me almost elegant. The characters were just so right, even the odd ball side ones we meet along the way. I liked the difference between self doubting, anxious and self critical damaged Sarah (Pixie) and harsh, strong, smart, fun, witty protective Levi ( Leaves) who himself is broken through guilt. Their POV's were both strong enough not to have you wishing that the book was written from only just one. I loved how not only did we get an insight into each of their heads but that they were both flawed seeing things as we all do differently from the person sat next to us. Their fear, grief and guilt keeping themselves denying themselves of the one thing that could help them forgive, heal and move on. At times the constant pushing away did niggle me a bit and was tiresome but more from Pixie's side of things. However I do think in this kind of situation it was realistic.  Some of the side characters were amazing I want more Jenna who wouldn't want a friend like her lol. Out of all of the book Levi is way out in front for my fave spot every girl needs a Levi as a friend or boyfriend. 

This book had me on a emotional roller-coaster throughout. I went through all of them sadness, happiness, mild chuckles, anger and horror (Pixie's mum vile, vile and VILE). It is such a bitter sweet story at times and even though it is predictable that did not take anything away from me. I needed to hear/read their story, I needed too see it play out for them, root for them and cry with them. It' almost feels like were there alongside prying on what should be a private journey battling grief, finding themselves and each other. Learning to cope and heal is something we all have to do at one point or another, Moving on is not easy and Chelsea portrays this perfectly.

Perhaps not everyone's cup of tea but I would recommend this book too anyone who likes romance and new adult books. Perhaps even too those looking for something different or a bitter-sweet heart warming story. I am definitely going to continue this series and other books from the author. i might even try to step out of my YA comfort zone more often now :0

My Rating : I've found it so difficult too rate this book. At first my initial feeling was four but however I've found since finishing reading. Leaves and Pixie have stayed with me haunting my thoughts in a good way so I figure Four is just unfair. So five it is :)

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