What’s on: New year, new you!

Meet other students and expand your support network with our social events and meet ups. Whether face-to-face or virtual, all our socials are inclusive, welcoming, fun and interactive. You can attend as many or as few as you like – there’s zero pressure. Study buddies are, of course, encouraged! 

Great for:

Expanding your network
Building your confidence
Having a laugh!

Upcoming events: 

Saturday morning coffee and chat
Saturday 27 January | 10:00–11:00
An informal weekly drop in to get to know other students and chat about everything. To join the event, click 'Join Us' on the event page.

Mental wellbeing online meet-up
Sunday 4 February | 19:00–20:00
Please join hosts Nichola and Bev for a friendly chat. This is a regular meet up, held every Sunday. Everyone welcome!

Reach your full potential as a student with our study skills workshops. Whether it’s essay planning and writing, or learning how to present a strong academic argument, the interactive workshops will help you develop the skills you need to meet the demands of your course. Created with the academic calendar in mind, there are plenty of opportunities to support you throughout the year. 

Great for:

Developing your study skills
Building key competencies
Improving academic communication

Tackling procrastination successfully
Tuesday 20 February | 11:00–12:30
This new workshop takes a look at some of the reasons for procrastination. In it you will help develop a toolkit to streamline efficiency, making you as effective as possible.

Really understanding questions
Wednesday 13 March | 11:00–12:00
Do you struggle knowing what your assignment question is asking, or have you received feedback that you didn’t answer the question given? This workshop offers a tutor’s insight into the marking process, as well as the other obvious mistakes that are frequently made. 

Our career and employability events will help you develop skills that are widely valued in the workplace. Our webinars and events are led by professional career advisors, enabling you achieve your work and life ambitions. Feel empowered, build confidence, and learn how to articulate your capabilities and skills in a workplace setting. 

Great for:

Career planning
Connecting you to new opportunities
Helping you navigate the job market

Upcoming events:

The Future is Green: insights into sustainable career pathways
Wednesday 24 January | 12:00–13:00
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the environment while building a successful and fulfilling career? Join us to explore the world of green careers and learn how you can contribute to a more sustainable planet.

Empower your journey: unlocking the rewards of volunteering
Thursday 8 February | 12:00–13:00
Whether you are studying for career reasons or for your own personal interest, the benefits of volunteering can be enormous to your career and life. This session will help you to gain an understanding of the charity and volunteering sector and explore the different types of volunteering you can get involved in.

Do you need a little extra support with your studies? Not sure where to start? Studying can be a real challenge, particularly when juggling alongside other commitments and life in general! Throughout the year we have a number of events to help build your confidence and find a network of supportive students.

Great for:

Expanding your network
Develop strategies to cope better
General support to help you navigate life as a student

Upcoming events:

Neurodivergent students: progressing effectively on your module
Wednesday 31 January | 11:00–12:00
Neurodiversity is all about difference and in this workshop we will look at some of those differences and consider how they can help (or hinder) effective progress.

Welcome to the OU: help navigating your learning journey
Wednesday 7 February | 11:00–12:00
This Adobe Connect LIVE session will introduce you to some of the key systems and sources of support you have access to as an Open University student.

Need to improve your digital and technical skills? Look no further! The OU’s Library Services offer a programme of live online training sessions to all OU students. Each bite-sized session provides an online alternative to face-to-face training. Extra bonus: each session allows you live access to a librarian!

Please note: Library Services events don't require booking! Simply join the room using the Adobe Connect link, and make a note of the event date on your personal calendar.

Great for:

Answering general academic writing and study skills queries
Referring you to useful resources and library databases
Helping you improve your digital skills

Upcoming events: 

Managing your digital footprint
Thursday 25 January | 20:00–20:30
This 30 minute interactive session is about managing your digital footprint. It will explain how a digital footprint is created and what to look out for when you use the Internet or engage with social media. You will learn how to use social media in a professional and responsible way that can be beneficial for your studies and work.

Diverse sources, alternative sources
Monday 5 February | 19:30–20:30
Academic literature is not inclusive, there are many under-represented voices. This 1 hour interactive session will outline the difficulties in finding diverse voices and alternative sources, and will begin to explore the steps you can take to include a range of voices and perspectives in your literature search.

Student Voice Festival 2024 
Saturday 24 February – Saturday 9 March 
All Open University students are welcome to take part in a series of online and in-person events. Join in to meet fellow students and staff at community socials, workshops, student consultation meetings, and more. 

Chance to win a prize: The first 500 students to register and attend at least one event will receive an OU goody bag featuring some exclusive items! So, keep an eye on your inbox; your invite will be arriving in the next few weeks. 

And finally, not an event per se, but the fantastic Team Open are through to the quarter-final of University Challenge! Cheer them on as they compete towards the end of the month. 

Good luck, team!