Pain or fatigue

It may not be easy to predict how your studies will be affected if your condition fluctuates, but here's some things to take into consideration.

• How to organise your study realistically if you have periods when you'll be unable to study.
• How to maintain your motivation during those periods.
• Any individual arrangements for your exams or residential school.

Getting the right resources for you

Have you told us your support needs? If not, you can see how to do this on Telling the OU about your disability. If you've already shared this information with us you'll be able to see it on your student profile. Make sure your student profile explains what you find difficult and the areas where you need support. Have a preliminary discussion with your tutor and ask for things that will help you.

To check the accessible formats available on a module go to your module website and look under the Resources section for a link to Downloads. Some of the different formats available are:

• eBook versions you can read using an E-reader like a Kindle
• word versions you can print off when you want to read offline.

You can use recorded tutorials to help with taking notes or for when you can’t attend. For how to find recorded tutorials see Find and view recorded tutorials.

You can also ask for additional support, for example:

• support to participate in online and face-to-face tutorials, for example tutorial notes in advance and notes after tutorials
• a discussion with your tutor to agree individual strategies for you to manage your workload and stay on track, such as advice on study priorities
• arrangements for you to record tutorials where recordings weren't made available for any reason.

For more information on how to request additional support see Telling the OU about your disability. To find out more about the support we can offer take a look at adjustments available by study elements.

Exam arrangements

Individual arrangements can be made for you where there’s clear evidence that you would otherwise be disadvantaged. Take a look at Exam arrangements for disabled students for more information.

Residential school

If your module has a compulsory residential school, we’ll work with you to make your stay beneficial and effective. Discuss disability support at residential school with an adviser as early in your module as possible to give us enough time to make arrangements.

If you can't go to residential school in person, there may be an online school which meets the same core learning requirements for your module.