Happy New Year from your Association President

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2022!

I want to wish you all well in this new year. I am reminded that although many of us may have the blues there is so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for the students who 50 years ago fought for The Open University to have a Students Association to represent their views, people like the first President Millicent Marsland who wanted clear lines of communication with the University to close the feedback loop, something that we are still working in partnership with the University on.

For half a century, students have contributed to decision-making at all levels of the University, helping to shape and improve the educational experience for themselves and their peers. Since our inception many years ago the OU Students Association has held vital lines of communication with the University, which have helped to ensure that the student journey is as beneficial and positive as possible. As we enter our 50^th year we will aim to continue that journey.

January always brings that dread of getting my study mojo back again. I have a few top tips that I would like to share with you that I hope will help.

If you are struggling contact your tutor. They are there to help. They want you to do the best you can and will be able to give you advice on how you can do that.
Don’t forget that your fellow students are likely to be feeling the same, make sure you talk to them as well.
The Help Centre always has some great tips on study and especially what you can do around getting help.
If you are feeling the January blues there are lots of links on our website and on the OU’s website that will be able to help you.

Just remember that as an OU student you are already overcoming some huge obstacles to study, but you are doing it. OU students are amazing, and I am so proud to have spent 18 months as your President representing your views and opinions with the OU and beyond.

If you want to get involved in any of our 50^th events, please keep an eye on the website for further details or if you want to tell us your story please contact us at oustudents-50@open.ac.uk

So here’s to 2022 – the year of the OU Students Association!

This article is part of an ongoing series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the OU Students Association.

Please visit the OU students website to find out more about the events planned to celebrate this occasion, and how you can get involved.