Entry Levels?

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Permalink Reply by Ronan on August 30, 2007 at 8:51am

Hey Bill

Retraining as an osteopath is an excellent idea. I recently completed the BSOs Access to Osteopathic Health care course and start 1st year in 2 weeks.

An access course is a great way to dip your toes in the water and prepare yourself for a degree. It was 10 years since I was in formal education and I found the access course invaluable. The learning curve was just right for me.

One of our lectures at the BSO often reminded us that you don't have to be clever to be an osteopath but you do have to work hard. If you are willing to put in the hours (and there are a lot of them!) then I'm sure you'll be fine.

Questions worth asking yourself if you plan to do an OU course are - How self motivated am I? Can I work on my own steam? Am I prepared to do a minimum of an hour a day self-study?

A few other people on my course were in a similar position to you, I'll point them in the direction of this thread.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Jody Jakob on August 30, 2007 at 10:18am

Dear Bill,
Certainly if you cannot cope with the OU access course you would not be a good candidate for an Osteopathy course which is much more demanding.
But.....if your motivation is there I am sure you would be successful. Many older candidates for entering higher education do extremly well. They are often highly motivated and more disciplined than younger colleugues.
Of course you may have concerns that it may be difficult because you have not been in an organized education process for some time....but my advise is to jump in, have no fear, follow your heart and god luck!!!
Don't get stuck in a boring job...go for it!!!!

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Permalink Reply by dave chapman on August 30, 2007 at 11:12am

Hi Bill

I studied with Ronan at the Access to Osteopathic Healthcare Course at the BSO and one of the massive benefits was working with other people. On our course there was just over 20 people and we went to college on Friday evenings and Saturdays. Some students travelled to London from miles away, Bath, Worthing and even Sheffield. If the course doesn't lead into a degree, it's still an incredible experience, both educationally getting the brain working and socially, meeting all these people from different backgrounds with a common interest. On last years access course there were people from different countries, ages and backgrounds. We had a London cabbie, an ex gymnast, a couple of IT people, a picture framer and hurdy gurdy player! It is a steep learning curve but the support of others makes a big difference. It's definately worth considering this option.

Good luck
Dave

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Permalink Reply by Bill Prince on August 31, 2007 at 8:40am

Thanks Ronan, Jody & Dave
for your kind words and encouragement.
Another question: are there any text books on Biology/anatomy/chemistry that were invaluable to you either as a refresher in those fields (I've forgotten a lot of my O level stuff..alcohol poisoning of the memory) or in preparation for the access course that you could recommend for me? You know..the easy read ones with lots of illustrations for the slow learners or even computer resources?
Any pointers would be great..thanks again

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Permalink Reply by Steven Ojari on September 1, 2007 at 9:55am

Hi Bill

I was also on the access course with Ronan and Dave last year. The text book we worked from was called Tortora - Principles of anatomy and physiology, it's not exactly light reading and for me a little confusing without direction from an excellent teacher, which we had. Come to think of it I have a good quality recording of every lecture from last year if you'd like me to send you a copy, so you can have a little listen just let me know!

About the refresher books, it might just be me but I think that whilst the ideas in O level and GCSE's are relevant they don't require you to fully understand the subject rather just remember a lot of facts and statements, osteopathy is about understanding how and why things work or perhaps more critically don't! If you think it might help the GCSE bitesize website is quite interactive and has a lot of the basics. If you have a class anything like we did I'm sure you'll not only have an awesome time but start to learn so much about the body.

Do it!

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Permalink Reply by Ronan on September 3, 2007 at 12:26pm

I would echo what Steve said. Start with some GSCE level material - the BBC website has some good material that teaches the basics. I've also heard great reports about anatomy colouring books - they are a great way to learn anatomy and a fun way to learn too.

Personally I found our main text book - Tortora: Principles of anatomy and physiology - very dense and difficult to read. I used it very little. In hindsight it would have been helpful if I waited until after I started the course before purchasing any text books. This is what I plan to do this year.

For some basic GSCE biology see http://www.purchon.com/biology. I'll see if I can dig out some other links and book recommendations.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Harmer on September 5, 2007 at 7:14pm

Hello Bill

LIke you, I had very little academic qualifications at the start of my degree but seem to have made it to the third year (of five). Two things to always remember about osteopathy during your course is that it's a very practicle thing and relies on good observation skills. It won't matter a jot if you can memorise every text book going, if you can't master the practicle side, observe and interpret what's in front of you. Some of the best 'operators' at our college find the academic side the hardest part.

I do my degree part time so I can earn the fees, but like others have said you need to be motivated. It's certainly not something to do 'on a whim'! Saying that, the support you get from fellow students is immense. The nature of osteopathy and the course will mean you will probably know your peers better than your partner by the end of the degree.

I did a foundation course before starting the degree, run by the College of Osteopaths and it was extremely good. Something to do as a taster even as mentioned.

Whatever you decide, good luck with it. Just remember that a stack of prior academic qualifications won't help you manipulate a patient, but your dedication and practicle skills will.

Sorry, rambled on a bit :-)

PS Oh, nearly forgot. For a basic anatomy and physiology book before you start Tortora will kill you, or give you a bad back! Try Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness, Waugh & Grant. Simple and uncomplicated.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Prince on September 5, 2007 at 8:25pm

Thanks Steven, Ronan and Jason
Thanks for the pointers (the websites are very good) and the advice.
Another question: for those (like Jason) who are doing the degree part-time, how difficult is it to fit the study into your schedule while still working?
The only college nearest to me that offers it part-time is the BSO in London ( 2hrs away from Hastings on south coast).
I understand, from the open day I went to at BSO, that it would involve 1 weekend a month attendance and 3 full weeks at various times during year..how have those of you who had to travel coped with this as well?
Thanks all
Bill

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Permalink Reply by Jason Harmer on September 6, 2007 at 1:35pm

Well, The College of Osteopaths is purely for mature students and is geared up for their needs. Lectures are weekends only, 18 of those a year. They are approx 9.30am-5pm Saturday and Sunday every other weekend during semester (at Archway campus, Highgate). You also have to do a set amount of hours in clinic, the main one is in Borehamwood. (100 in your first year, rising to 350 in your 5th year).

We also have a first year intake in January if you feel desperate to start soon (check with the college on that).

Travel is a personal thing. In my cohort I have three people from the south coast, two from Scotland and one from France with everyone else inbetween. As everyone is attending lectures at the same time, there will almost certainly be someone at the college who you can share lifts with or join on the train to make the time more productive.

Which leads me on nicely to time and studying. If you spend a lot of time in a car, home made CDs of lectures or subjects can be good, or get some 'lists' together to recite. If you insist you need to 'chill out' when you get in from work that's fine, but be strict that you have to then sit down for 1-2 hours and study at some point in the evening. It's no good leaving it all to the weekend as you have lectures or clinic or gardening or housework or family obligations etc. plus you just can't memorise the stuff in one hit every week. If you enjoy (mostly) the subject you are studying it's not that hard, but there will be modules you just don't get on with and that's when the studying gets painfull.

How you fit your study in is a personal thing. It depends on your lifestyle, commitments, work environment and how you learn. I struggle doing essays but love the practical, some of my cohort can write the essays in their sleep but an arm seems to escape their grasp.

I say go for it and see how you get on, that's the only way to truly know.

:-)
Jason

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Permalink Reply by Steven Ojari on September 7, 2007 at 6:28pm

I traveled down every weekend for a year from Sheffield which takes about 3 hours so once a month wouldn't be that bad I'd have thought. Time on the train can be used as quite constructive study time too, I used to listen to previous lectures or do some work on my laptop and if you book the tickets in advance and get a young persons rail card (your eligible as a student too) fares are very cheap, about £18 is what I pay return! Finding someone to stay with for the week blocks could be a bit of a pain, I have a brother in London so managed to rough it for a week with him. Everyone at the BSO is really friendly tho and I'm sure someone with a spare room would put you up, failing that there are hostels, cheap but little bit loud!
The bottom line is everyone is different, I didn't find the travel too bad and managed to fit the study round work alright, didn't have much of a social life tho and the degree will be quite a step up from access course. As others have said if you can be strict with couple of hours a night I'd think you'd be fine with the workload.
It doesn't seem like too much of a risk to do the OU course and if you decide not to go on to full degree then at least you'll have learnt a load about the body!

Good luck in your decision
Steve

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Permalink Reply by Bill Prince on September 15, 2007 at 1:39pm

Thanks guys
I guess as you say that in the end , after all variables are considered, that I have to go for it and try the OU access course.
I really appreciate all your feedback and will continue to look at this site for any help i can get.
Thanks again
Bill

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Permalink Reply by Ross on October 29, 2007 at 10:45pm

Dear Bill,
Its difficult to say. Id say that with the right motivation anyone could pass the access course as by definition its fairly entry level. That said however osteopathic degrees are work intensive and not for the faint-hearted and nobody finds them easy, so you would find it rather more complicated than an OU course but whats stopping ya? its a great fun degree and career! Good luck!!

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