<div class="fr-view"><p>Well it&rsquo;s December already, which means TMA 01 has probably been submitted for most of us, and planning is starting on the next one. Like others, I am busy keeping up-to-date with reading, activities and assignment work, which is part and parcel of university life.</p>
<p>But I&rsquo;ve also been involved in various activities as an OUSA volunteer. Requests for resources come through from students in secure environments, which I (as part of a team) search for, and I send links or documents through to the print warehouse to be forwarded on to whoever requested them. There were also a number of graduation ceremonies in various locations, and I was lucky enough to help out on a merchandise stall in Poole in Dorset. And I attended my first Faculty Assembly meeting as a WELS Faculty Assembly Rep, during which I was able to hear about different initiatives being piloted with The Open University, as well as being able to represent the student perspective.</p>
<p>The reason I&rsquo;m telling you this is that I think sometimes we forget that we are all part of a large and respected University, as we don&rsquo;t have the campus experience that exists in &#039;bricks and mortar&#039; institutions. And distance learning can sometimes be isolating, and many of us feel a disconnect with university life.</p>
<p>This is where involvement with OUSA can be really beneficial. There are so many volunteer opportunities available that allow students to get more involved in &ndash; and connected with &ndash; the University. Volunteers and the OUSA-employed staff are incredibly supportive of new &lsquo;recruits&rsquo;, and the more you do, the more you get to know other people &ndash; which helps in some ways to foster a community spirit.</p>
<p>I didn&rsquo;t start volunteering until over halfway through my  ;degree programme, and I wish now that I had started sooner. It certainly helps develop your confidence and makes you feel part of something special.</p>
<p>I guess ultimately it is our University &ndash; it wouldn&rsquo;t exist without new or continuing students. And being part of OUSA is a way that we can make our voices heard and help shape the future of teaching and learning.</p>
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		<h3 class="zfTitle">Graduation stall in Poole </h3>
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 <img width="320" height="240" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_7880.jpg?fit=320%2C240&;ssl=1" class="" alt="A merchandising stall at a graduation ceremony, with mannequins wearing hoodies and t-shirts." style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_7880.jpg?w=320&;ssl=1 320w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_7880.jpg?resize=300%2C225&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_7880.jpg?resize=200%2C150&;ssl=1 200w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /> </figure>

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