The commitment to offering support to our students is at the heart of OUSA's objectives. Our Peer Support service is a user-friendly means of offering such support and is widely used by OUSA members in helping them with concerns and problems related to their studies.
Peer Supporters support us.
Peer Support Online is available to all students through FirstClass. Its purpose is to support any student that feels they need it… whether answering one-off questions that may seem too trivial to ask a tutor or OU staff, or through on-going one-to-one support for as long as it's needed.
The volunteer Peer Supporters who offer this service do so anonymously and in strict confidence. The Peer Supporters are also O U students and so are more inclined to empathise with the needs of our students.
Almost anything! Peer Supporters will try to answer any query that comes their way or, at the very least, direct you to the correct place to find an answer. Past support has included: practical advice about courses, conferences, using FirstClass, changing tutors, exam and study techniques, explanations of rules, regulations and awards, and other financial aspects of O U study. They also offer clarification of home exam procedures, information on withdrawing from courses, help gaining re-assessment for assignments or exams, and they provide on-going support for students facing those personal situations that life throws at us all occasionally. Our Peer Supporters will also show an understanding towards and support those with disabilities who may find a little extra support is needed to help them complete their studies, as well as just being a listening ear for those who need to unburden themselves to someone who will not judge them.
All the Peer Supporters are past or current O U students and between them they have a breadth of knowledge on virtually any aspect of O U study that could be troubling a student. The Peer Supporters come from a wide range of backgrounds both personally and academically so it's more than likely there will be someone available who understands exactly what the problem is and just how it feels.
They will answer any questions you may have on O U study. They will listen and help you work through any problem you may be facing, will offer advice or alternative courses of action, tell you where you can find more information or support, share your disappointments as well as your successes and, more importantly, be there whenever you need them, ready and willing to listen without judging or telling you what to do.
On FirstClass, either using the web version available via the Student Home page, or using the FirstClass client. Go to your desktop and click the "O U" shield. From there click the "OUSA" shield and you will see the big red circle with white question mark of Peer Support Online. Then follow the simple instructions to either request some help or ask for some ongoing support. It's as simple as that. Then just check your FirstClass Mailbox for replies! The Peer Support Online service is covered on a rota basis.
We are confident that our Peer Support Online service will help you. Over the past few years it has helped many students in many different ways... but if you're really not sure we can help there's only one way to find out… give Peer Support a try! Don't suffer in silence, let Peer Support Online help!
Interested in becoming a Peer Supporter?
Due to the large volume of applications we receive for this volunteer post, we currently operate a waiting list procedure. However, we still welcome applications and these will be considered as and when vacancies arise. You can email the OUSA Central Office at OUSA-PS-ADMIN@open.ac.uk
for a Peer Supporter application, or alternatively download the form below.
Peer Supporter Application Form (48 KB)
You can return the completed application form by emailing an attached copy to OUSA-PS-ADMIN@open.ac.uk.
You may also print the form and fax it to us at +44 (0) 1908 654326 or send it to us by post to
OUSA (PS) PO BOX 397, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BE, UK