Getting organised
Once you're a registered student, you'll have access to a wide range of resources. Use this list as a checklist to get yourself organised before the course starts.
Before your course material arrives
- Read your Welcome Booklet and check that you know what resources are available and who you can contact for help.
- Find a place where you can keep your course material and work undisturbed.
- Look at your course description so that you know how many hours to allow for study each week.
- Produce a timetable so that you know when you will fit it in. Be prepared to adjust this over the first few weeks while you decide the best time to study and get to know how long things take.
- Make sure you have everything you need for the course - for example, set books, equipment like calculators or specialist software.
- Log on and look around your StudentHome page to get used to what's available. Check the resources on the Study Support page.
- Practise using your FirstClass email and conferencing account.
- Encourage your friends and family to look at our website and find out how they can support you.
- If you share a PC, negotiate time to use it.
When your course material has arrived
- Find the course or study guide and work out what you need to do in the first couple of weeks of your course.
- Check your course calendar and put your assignment cut-off dates in your diary.
- Note any other important dates - for example, tutorials, day schools, television broadcasts.
- If your tutor has been in touch, make contact and tell them a bit about yourself - it really helps to break the ice. (Remember that your tutor can help you if you get behind with your studies or have questions about the course material.)
- Log on to your FirstClass account and see if there are any course-related conferences. (You can link to these from StudentHome.)
- If you have any questions or concerns before the course starts, contact your tutor or your Regional Centre.
More advice
For registered students only – Go to Getting started to find out more about what OU study is like.