Welcome to the new-look Hoot!
We hope that you will find it a clearer and more accessible site to use – a more user-friendly experience for everyone.
A day in the life of a Faculty Rep: from support worker shift to OU campus
Jack Flaherty, FASS Student Rep, provides a glimpse into his busy 24 hours attending a Faculty Assembly.
A bit about me and my manifesto
Hi fellow students, I hope you are well. I am Charon the current WELS Faculty Rep standing for re election. I thought I would tell you a bit about myself.
President Hustings
Find out my answers to your most asked questions (plus some kitties!)
No one should have to figure everything out alone
STEM is challenging enough without feeling like you’re figuring it out alone. I’m standing to make sure students are supported, connected, and actually heard.
The end of an era
It seems strange to think that after nearly six years of study I have only one assignment left to complete my degree pathway. And what a journey it's been.
The impact of parental imprisonment
Reflections on attending the recent OU 'Silenced and shamed' seminar.
Did you know that the OU provides you with access to Turnitin?
Find out about the system the OU uses to check your work against sources, including books, journals, websites and module materials.
Apply now for a £5,000 Santander Scholarship
The OU has partnered with Santander Universities to offer two £5,000 scholarships to support OU students during the 2025/26 academic year.
Insomnia, perseverance and community: studying, parenting and advocating while disabled
Insomnia fuels my nights, education drives my days, and community keeps me going!
Head in the clouds
Breathing heavily, I sat upright and kept my eyes lowered against the sun. I was thankful that at least there were no sirens...
May is Fibromyalgia, M.E. and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes Awareness Month
As May is Fibromyalgia, M.E. and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes Awareness Month, I thought I would share a poem about living with these chronic health conditions.
Food for thought
According to the UN, adopting a vegan lifestyle can save up to 2.1 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Read this article by Simon Aust.
Hope of finding light in the darkness
My name is Kelly. I am a Physics student at the OU and volunteer with the Open SU.
OU launches ‘Supporting neurodivergent children’ hub
Discover more about this new hub, full of tips, stories and resources.
Writing competition open: £100 voucher up for grabs!
The Hoot is here for you – OU students – to tell your story, and we want to hear it! Submit your entry by 25 June.
Take the Pledge this Hedgehog Awareness Week
How we can start supporting hedgehogs.
Join The Hoot team!
We’re looking for creative students looking to expand their skills and experience to join our Hoot team as a SiSE newsletter volunteer!
Earth Month: explore sustainability and green skills with the OU Library
The OU Library offers a range of curated resources to help you build your knowledge, develop practical skills, and take positive action to a more sustainable future.
Looking after our prickly friends
How we can look after hedgehogs during spring.
The Hoot is turning over a new leaf…
The Hoot is about to undergo a bit of a change...
Remembering and treasuring our communities
Trigger warning: This article contains references to suicide.
Cheers for 20 years with Glasgow’s Science Festival!
A wide range of activities are taking place at the Glasgow Science Festival in June 2026, hosted by staff and students from The Open University.
Dates for your diary: Spring 2026
Meet other students, grow your study skills, attend careers workshops, and more.
“From listening to doing, turning Student Voice into action”
This isn’t about promises, it’s about real, practical changes that help students feel seen, supported, and part of something!
Hoot highlights
Every month, we put together a snapshot of all the best bits from The Hoot and deliver them directly to your inbox! Subscribe to see student favourites, your president's highlight from the month, and some exclusive content... P.S. the first 300 people to subscribe will be entered to a prize draw to win a student bundle (including noise cancelling headphones, and a TOTUM discount membership)
Which Hogwarts House are you?
Which Hogwarts House best matches your OU study personality?
LGBTQIA+ History Month quiz
Test your knowledge of LGBTQIA+ history and learn about all things queer with our quiz.
How well do you know Wes Anderson?
Get your popcorn out and your thinking caps on, as we test your knowledge on the films of famous filmmaker, Wes Anderson!
Which plant are you?
Take this fun quiz to discover your plant persona!
Could you be in Team Open 2025? Take our quiz to test your knowledge!
Apply now for your chance to appear on University Challenge.
Welcome to The Hoot!
Come and explore the Open SU’s magazine site for OU students...
Adding great graphics
Not sure how to make a thumbnail image or create a graphic for your post? Read on!
Lists (and countdowns)
Let us list all the reasons that we love lists...
How To: Creating Polls
Let's settle things for once and for all with a poll!
How To: Creating a Quiz
Getting quiz-y with it...