how I do my assignments // Open University // TMAs

[@XDilovePurple]

Dude you are so methodical about your work, I wish I was more focused to work like this, to this high standard. I just started my degree with OU, so still finding my rhythm and working out how I work best, but damn. This is my aspiration right here. Great video, thank you for breaking down your stages for us!

[@anovelcuriosity]

Thank you so much! I’m glad I could help! Good luck with your studies! 😁

[@windler763]

fantastic video!! as someone whos been out of education for a bit (and didn't do very well due to personal reasons) this is very helpful. i'm going to start an arts and languages access module in feb '24 to help ease me back into study (and do it right this time!!) and then if all goes well, i'll enrol onto the arts and humanities degree :D

[@anovelcuriosity]

Thank you! I’m glad I could be helpful! Good luck with your studies! 😁

[@koukouland]

Great, I started writing TMA 2 of K113, which is due in two days, after an extension. So far so good...aside from the fact that instead of actually writing my TMA, I am watching a video about writing TMAs! I love your videos, well done! I think that I am a lost cause!

[@anovelcuriosity]

😂 Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed though! Good luck with your assignment!

[@grumpybooks3612]

I've really enjoyed all your OU videos! I'd love to hear a bit more maybe in a future video about how you picked all your modules and which you enjoyed the least and most :) And maybe hear about what you plan to do next/after graduation!

[@anovelcuriosity]

I’m glad you enjoy them! 😁 Those sound like some great ideas! I’d definitely love to do a video wrapping up my whole OU experience after I've finished my last module in June!

[@thanosmes]

Step 8 after rereading it for hours I despise every word and I contemplate giving up my degree and going to farm goats in the mountains. Your words resonated with me... Can I quote you on this one?

[@anovelcuriosity]

Sure! I’m glad it resonated with you! 😆

[@Mikebigmike94]

man, I am so glad I am doing maths and physics. no referencing or quoting at all, it looks like a right pain. just solve a problem and move on, fair play to you. I do my TMAs as I read each chapter, if I wait until the TMA week the stuff is not as fresh in my mind and I would have to re-read the material

[@anovelcuriosity]

It’s interesting to hear what other subjects are like! With referencing and quoting, it’s just something I got used to.

[@4my4blessings]

I'm doing literature and creative writing, and would rather do referencing than write exams!! But yes, a clear right/wrong answer scoring would be nice. What we do is so subjective and at the mercy of the tutor's personal opinion/judgement. Pros and cons I guess.

[@Mikebigmike94]

@@4my4blessings That would kill me! I’m doing a coding module right now and some stuff can be subjective with the tutors preferences but to be honest it’s either wrong or right. We even have a “testbed” where we can submit the code to show it works before putting it in our tma

[@alliee971]

Great advice. I hope the studying is going well although with your planning skills, I think the goats would also be lucky to have you.

[@anovelcuriosity]

Thank you! 😁 I’ve actually graduated now and I got a First! I might go back and do a Masters at some point though!

[@alliee971]

@@anovelcuriosity oh my goodness - really well done!

[@hollysreadingrambles5490]

These OU videos are really useful and enjoyable. An essay structure video would be really good! great video Holly! 🥰

[@anovelcuriosity]

Thank you! I’m glad I could help! 😁 Hopefully I can make that video soon!

[@Kenleaty]

The way I do it is I'll decide on what exactly the question is asking for. Then I'll go through the last 2 blocks and copy and paste and print notes. I'll write the intro outlining the message and for the body go through the notes and write as much as I can from the notes and adding referencing. Then finally I'll write the conclusion, go through abd add the references. That's the draft. Then I'll keep adding bits in from reading the units until u have enough words. Then revise it 2 or 3 times adding and removing. Final edit, checks then submit. Before starting will do a brain storm of plan on notebook, write off top of my head on my phone before transferring to laptop for the main edits and final.

[@anovelcuriosity]

That’s really interesting! I love hearing how other people approach assignments!

[@Ard-mhacha-abu]

Very helpful. Thanks for the upload!

[@anovelcuriosity]

I'm glad I could help! 😁

[@cdngirlntx]

This is a great video breaking down your process! I'm starting a similar online degree program here in Canada (Athabasca University) and it's been a long time since I was in university and I did Science that go round, but this time I'm doing History so need all the help I can get with essays. I will be following along with your videos for sure as they are very well done. Thanks so much!

[@anovelcuriosity]

I’m glad I could help! Good luck with your History degree! 😁

[@cynsid1]

Thanks for your video ! Im with the OU , could you put up a video on essay structure pls ? that would be very helpful. Good luck with your exams !

[@anovelcuriosity]

Hopefully I can make a video on that soon! Thank you!

[@PhoebeJones]

Really enjoyed this! Hope your studying is going well! X

[@anovelcuriosity]

Thank you! It’s going pretty well! Only a few months left and then I’ve finished my degree!

[@aqeelmir5639]

Such a great video

[@anovelcuriosity]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed!

[@sbk6052]

Just submitted TMA02 for DD103

[@anovelcuriosity]

Congratulations! Good luck for your mark! 😁

[@hy..]

I like your essay writing style, you had 13000 words in evidence collection stage, I wonder how many words essay that was for, 2000 maybe.. anyway nice video.

[@anovelcuriosity]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I'm pretty sure the essay was about 2000 words. During the evidence collection stage, I would copy and paste whole blocks of text and then I'd probably only use a short quote from that to support one of my points. It's a great way to get all your ideas and evidence in one place!

[@ShazWag]

So you collect the evidence first and then make the points from them? I do it the other way around. I wish I were as dedicated as you! Maybe I will be next year. For now I'm still on year 1 of Psychology.

[@anovelcuriosity]

It’s more that I have a vague idea of my key points while I’m finding evidence, and then my argument develops as I read more. For example, in one of my essays I had to identify and discuss the causes of a particular event, so beforehand I already knew some of the things I wanted to discuss but by doing more research I was able to expand on those initial ideas. I hope that makes sense! Also, good luck with your studies! 😁

[@murielmoloney1043]

what would you say is the average length of your submitted TMA essays please

[@anovelcuriosity]

It depends on the subject. I did an Open degree, so I did a few history-related modules as well as a science module and a creative writing module. For the history and creative writing modules, the assignments were between 500 to 2000 words. The science module was more maths and practicals-based, so the assignments were shorter (max. 500 to 1000 words). It has been a few years since I finished though, so I'm not sure whether the assignments have changed at all since then.

[@aidankerr1125]

Thanks for your great OU videos. Can I ask, how does OU determine if you get a first, 2:1 etc.?

[@anovelcuriosity]

I’m glad you enjoy! Also, to be honest, I’m not entirely sure. I think it depends on the mark you get in each module (e.g. 85% for a Distinction, 70-84% for a Pass 2, 55-69% for a Pass 3 and so on), but I also think to get a First, for example, you have to get a Distinction in at least one Level 3 module. If you want more guidance I’d definitely recommend contacting the OU directly!

[@serhatpolat4762]

Hi, thank you for sharing this video. I am thinking of studying History and Politics at the OU. At least how many words do I have to write for an assignment? Is there any specific limit for that? It concerns me because I am not a native English speaker so I have difficulty creating ideas for essays.

[@anovelcuriosity]

The assignments vary in length. For me, they have ranged from 500-word answers to 3000-word essays. Usually you are given a 10% leeway. For example, if an essay was meant to be 1000 words, you should aim for between 900-1100 words. There is a lot of support though if you are struggling, so I wouldn’t worry too much.