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YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE...

The OU community is a wonderful place to be, and Welcome Week is set up to show you everything it has to offer – with a lineup of online sessions designed to help meet new people and discover what Open SU can do for you.

Plus, there’s an in-person Welcome Fair in Milton Keynes on 27 September!

Distance learning doesn’t have to mean going through your study journey alone- let's get started together...

See the schedule

Come to the Welcome Fair

YOUR WELCOME WEEK EVENTS

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STEM Faculty's Welcome Week events: 18th September - 9th October; Online; Welcome Week

Welcome Fair: 27th September; The Open University, Betty Boothroyd Library, Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA; Welcome Week

Litter pick: 27th September; The Open University, Betty Boothroyd Library, Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA; Welcome Week

Welcome Week kick off!: 27th September; Microsoft Teams; Welcome Week

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WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN

Preparing to start your studies

Getting ready to start your studies can be daunting- check out this short introductory course on OU Ready, which has information on where to find everything, and how to access support.

Referencing

What is the right way to reference in your work? Don’t worry, the OU have prepared a quick guide to Harvard referencing on their library website, where their help desk is available for extra support.

What is ‘good academic practice’?

You might have heard words like ‘plagiarism’ and ‘academic misconduct’, but what are these- and how can you avoid them? Check out the Academic Conduct Policy and look at this OpenLearn collection about good academic practice to find out more.

Plus, if you ever need help with this, you can check out Open SU’s Individual Representation Service for free, independent support and advice.

Financial support

For support with your finances throughout your studies, explore the OU Study Related Costs Scheme, the Disabled Students Allowance, or the OU Students Educational Trust (OUSET).

Connecting with other students

There are lots of great ways to meet other Open University students and get involved with the community:

Check out OU Students Connect to chat to other students online

Join one of the clubs and societies available

Join a Student Support Group

Check out the online and in-person events happening soon

See what volunteering opportunities are available to boost your skills and meet new people!

GIVEAWAY TIME

To properly welcome you to this new chapter in your journey, we’re giving away goodie bags packed with Open SU-themed prizes (including an OU hoodie and some limited-edition Open SU merch!).

We've left some clues around this website, figure out which pages they're leading you to, and connect them to determine a three-part code – get it right and you’ll be entered into our giveaway.

Here's your first clue: Got questions? Don’t despair — the answers are waiting for you there!

More ways to win