Another blog??

I have started an Open University short course called Starting with Psychology. I have decided to do this for a number of reasons

I have often wondered what the OU was like

I enjoy studying

The course will be useful whether I stay as a pharmacist or become a reiki therapist because in both cases I will be dealing with people. In fact I am including the coursein my CPD portfolio


I have wanted to understand more about psychology since I worked through CYLI7D and realised how powerful a tool the brain is

It gives me the possibility of going on to do parapsychology which fascinates me

Doing any study is good for my 'use it or lose it' approach to staying healthy in mind and body as I get older (I will be 58 in 2 weeks)


I have decided t be good and actually follow the plan supplied by the OU. This may sound obvious but t anyone who knows me this is not my normal approach. So I have actually checked the contents and read the leaflets they recommend before diving into the study book. The only thing I haven't done yet is watch the DVD,

So far I have done my reading during my lunch break. But at the moment it can be broken up into 10 -15 minutes chunks. That may not last once I get deeper into the course. Also what I read today was about the structure of the brain - which I already know. I am sure it will be harder later.

The course books suggest at times you reflect on what you have been reading, That has horrid connotations of the dreaded reflective portfolio that was such a trial to me when I was studying at Keele. BUT what the course seems to want is much less onerous . Free form reflection in a blog is something I now do routinely - and that is the reason I have started this blog (my forth - . 3 current and one completed )

My initial reflections on the course are that it looks challenging and to my pleasure I have already found things in the study book that I can relate to CYLI7D .

It was good revising the structure of the brain, interesting learning what 'plasticity' is - and fascinating to learn that our actions can change the brain. I am really looking forward to getting onto to stuff that is less familiar.