Residential Schools

Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns about Residential Schools.

1) Why are there Residential Schools?
Several reasons:
· To gain practical experience. Laboratory work for example.
· To receive the benefit of specialist tutors
· To address the more complex issues of a course
· To review course work
· To use your course material in practical scenario’s
· To see how the material hangs together as a whole
· To meet other students
· To experience, for a short while, what university life is like.
· To be able to discuss your course work with other students and be able to seek the views of more than one tutor.
· To gain information and experience about exams. What type of questions, how to answer them and some Residential School’s hold examination practice.

2) I am so far behind with the course work that I am considering dropping out, so why should I attend?
· Once there, you will discover that everyone else is in the same situation
· If you have made it as far as Residential School you have a very high percentage chance of gaining a pass for the course.
· The tuition that you will receive at Residential School will enable you to catch up with the schedule.
· Talking to the other students, tutors and/or the School Counsellor can help with your study skills or other problems that have caused you to fall behind.
· The tutors may be able to tell you that by concentrating on specific areas of the material or, maybe, skipping certain Chapters or Blocks you will have sufficient knowledge to pass the exam. It depends on the course.
· You have paid for it already - so why not go?

3) I will not know anyone else there and am very apprehensive.
· Organise your group from your tutorials into applying for the same Residential School. Instant friends at Residential School.
· Most students will not know anyone else but you will very quickly make new friends.
· The OUSA Rep at Residential School will be your first friend of many.
· It is amazing how Residential Schools start new friendships and you will be thinking that you have known your new friends for years at the end of the week.
· There is nothing to be worried about. All the OU staff, the tutors and, especially the OUSA Rep, are there to ensure that you have an enjoyable time. Residential School is not designed to be formidable or over taxing.
· Some Regional HQ’s and some OUSA Branches hold workshops about Residential Schools.

4) This will be my first time away from my family.
· They are perfectly able to manage for one week - after all, you will have arranged everything for them in advance.
· It will help them to understand how much work you do around the house.
· The kids will benefit from that extra responsibility and experience.
· You will miss them. It is understandable …..

5) I have special needs and will not be able to cope at Residential School.
· If you are disabled in any way, the OU will contact you beforehand to see what special needs you have. If you have not informed them that you have special needs do so as soon as possible. · There are special weeks for students with hearing difficulties. Induction loops, typed notes, etc.
· Vegetarians are usually well catered for. · Certain university’s are better equipped for students in wheelchairs than others and you would be allocated one of those. · The OU arranges for Helpers to be there (on a one to one basis). You can even take your own Helper but speak to the OU in advance.

6) I have a problem getting to Residential School due to work commitments
· Speak to your employers as soon as possible and carefully explain why it is essential for you to attend and how it will benefit them.
· If you send in your Residential School forms quickly you stand a better chance of being allocated to the date and place of your choice. You can book via the web to speed things up. This should prevent many work related problems.

7) I have a problem getting to Residential School
· If this is a financial problem, have you approached the OU or OUSA for assistance. They both have funds for students suffering hardship. The OUSA fund is OUSET (See our web page on this).
· If it is a logistical problem, speak to your OU Regional HQ.
· If it is a transport problem, you may be able to obtain a lift from other students attending that week. Ask at your tutorials. Ask at your local OUSA branch, they may know other students going or one acting as the OUSA Rep there that week. Try posting a query on FirstClass.