On Track with The Open University in Scotland - Podcast

On Track with The Open University in Scotland

On Track with The Open University in Scotland is a podcast developed to support students with starting and continuing to study with the OU in Scotland.

Available on a wide range of audio streaming platforms, it’s aimed to help students ahead of their first assignment deadline, plus provide advice that can be useful throughout the whole study journey.  

Developed for and with OU in Scotland students, to explore the difficulties students face and the solutions available, the podcast is relevant to students of all subjects and undergraduate qualifications. It's designed to act as a ‘study buddy’ that can be listened to whilst studying.  

The first, 40-minute episode focuses on study challenges. It's available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible and Podbean.

Future episodes are planned to explore other challenges that OU students sometimes juggle with their studies, such as caring responsibilities, mental and physical health issues, disabilities, and changes in relationships and finances. 

The podcast is accompanied by further information about the help discussed in the episode and more, available on the OU in Scotland’s Support and services for students webpage, including Scotland-specific support.

You can sign-up to be alerted when new episodes are released, give feedback on episodes, or volunteer to participate in future recordings, via our short Podcast feedback and subscribers form. 

Trailer: 
 

On Track with The Open University in Scotland is a podcast developed to support students with starting - and continuing - to study with The Open University in Scotland. Episode one focuses on support provided to address common study challenges. It’s a chance to hear study hacks from fellow students, as well as tips from OU in Scotland staff.

I think that that's the biggest mistake that students who are struggling make is not getting in touch. So, getting in touch with your tutor and getting in touch as early as you possibly can, I think can only be a good thing.

It's also really nice to give them a little bit of information. You don't need to bare your soul or anything, but you could say, this is me, this is my home set up, this is my life, whether or not you're working, so then they know what your priorities are. They know what your availability is, ff you need support, they've got that information for you.

Submit your dummy assignment. It can seem like it's such an inconsequential part of your first few weeks of study. But just submitting a dummy assignment is a really valuable thing. Just to get you in the habit of writing in a more academic way, perhaps.

The Help Centre is definitely your friend as well. Any question that you enter will lead you to the resources you need. And if your questions aren't answered, then that will lead you to that really important contact button where you can get in touch with student support. We're always very happy to answer any questions you have and help you through your academic journey.

I'm a lot more calm about studying now. I was really, really anxious to start off with and, you know, oh I needed to sit down, and I needed to take notes and read everything three times. And now I'm a bit more relaxed and going, you know, it's okay reading something just once and retaining it. And not having to learn dates by heart and learning everything by heart. What's important is knowing where to find things.

Yes, great.

And being kinder to yourself.

Yes, that is the key word isn't it, kinder, yes.

The full first episode of On Track with The Open University in Scotland is available on a range of audio streaming platforms. Including Spotify, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Find out more by searching for The Open University in Scotland.