Linda Silverman

Linda has been retired for almost ten years and lives in the West Country with her rescue cat, Dinks. When she retired, she dreaded spending the days watching daytime tv and missed the challenges of a demanding job. She therefore decided to see what the OU had to offer. Linda looked at the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) prospectus and decided she would like to study for a Certificate in Planetary Studies. She contacted the OU and they suggested that she perhaps try a STEM Access module first to see how she got on. Despite having only achieved GCE O levels more than 50 years ago, she embraced the module wholeheartedly, didn’t encounter any hiccups along the way, discovered all the nooks and crannies of the website and ended up with a Distinction. This, together with a supportive and encouraging tutor, gave her confidence to do a ‘proper’ degree, embarking on a BSc (Hons) in Natural Sciences on the astronomy pathway. However, she then found one of the compulsory modules too onerous and thought she would have to give up altogether. The Student Support Team came to her rescue and suggested the Open pathway, on which I could choose her own STEM modules but also any non-STEM ones that she would like to study. As a result, Linda has now successfully completed Stage 1 and has now started Stage 2, enrolled on S282 Astronomy and A276 Classical Latin: the language of ancient Rome. She plans to study 60 STEM credits at both Levels 2 and 3 and end up with her dream: a BSc from the OU.

Linda says that the difference in her three years down the line is noticeable. She is far more confident, can interact in good debate and hold her own and generally feels happier. Through studying with the OU she has also made some great friends by being an active participant in the student fora, attending consultative meetings, going to Student Conference and generally embracing all that OU student life has to offer. She also plays tennis several times a week, which includes organising a morning group, and can be found outdoors whatever the weather.

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