Studying Online;Succeeding through Distance Learning at University

218 Coping online 
Te Students’ Union will also have online discussion groups in 
which you can take part. Whatever is ofered, take advantage of 
it. However, research shows that the online social activity ofered 
to students is not the same quality as face-to-face opportunities 
to socialise (Nicol, Minty, and Sinclair, 2003). Indeed, one of the 
points I make to my Open University students is that they should 
make attempts to meet each other in the real world, even if it is 
just to chat over a cofee. So, use the student online social system 
to locate other students who do not live too far away from you. 
You can then arrange to meet up with them in a cofee shop or bar, 
for instance. You don’t need to be on the same course as all you 
are doing is just getting the support of others in the same situation 
as you. If you are concerned about your safety, meeting up with 
a stranger alone, then I would suggest that you only meet up in 
small groups of individuals in a place that is mutually convenient. 
QUICK TIP: Establish a support network of fellow online stu-
dents so that you can help each other whenever struggles arise. 
Keep in touch with Personal Tutors 
All university students will be likely to have a “Personal Tutor”. 
Tis is an academic who is there to help support you through your 
entire university career. Tey will help you with general academic 
issues. A Personal Tutor will also help you with your academic 
skills. Plus, Personal Tutors are there to help support you when 
you have personal issues or other difculties. 
Almost all lecturers will have a group of Personal Tutees they look 
after. Tey take the student through from arriving at university to 
graduation. However, not all students take advantage of the Per-
sonal Tutor schemes. I have checked with my colleagues, and we 
all tend to fnd that about one-third of our Personal Tutees make 
regular contact and seek support throughout their time at universi-
ty. Another third of students only occasionally seek our assistance, 

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