Studying in Wawasan Open University

I've enrolled in Wawasan Open University (WOU) in mid 2012. It's my first time learning the open distance learning concept so I'm still a little wary over this whole concept. So to give it a try, instead of taking up degree courses like most new students, I rather take up Graduate Certificate in Business Management. It's a 1.5 years graduate certificate program compared to the 3-4 years degree program. At least, if I unable to cope, at least I can obtain a certificate instead of obtaining nothing at all if I unable to complete the degree in 3-4 years time. I have not try juggling both studies and work at the same time, so it's best to try out the concept before I really plunge my head deeper into my education. Once I've completed my graduate certificate (hopefully I pass all subjects *fingers crossed*), then I may consider continue my degree or not.
The subjects I took in Graduate Certificate comprises of Core Subjects such as Business Accounting 1, Human Resource Management, Principles of Marketing and Principle and Practices of Management and Compulsory University Courses such as Computing and Internet and Communication Skills. So far I've completed 3 subjects, currently I'm taking 2 subjects and my next and final semester I'm taking 1 subject and I'm done. So if I plan to take degree, I needn't have to do the above-mentioned subjects and just continue with the rest of the subjects that I have not take yet.
So far, throughout my studies, I'm able to cope OK. It's very stressful and tiring, but I tried to take things slow and steady, one step at a time. I got a couple of classmates who unable to take the stress and pressure and drop out half way. I'm not sure if they able to get their refund, but I really sympathise them. One of the reason why I'm taking Graduate Certificate, as I'm concern if this would happen to me. You really have to be very committed and must really manage your time (and stress!) very well if you really want to consider furthering your studies. The prices are quite competitive and quite affordable, so far. I'm able to afford it without using my EPF or getting a study loan, etc.
The tutorials are conducted on weekends (Sat or Sun). It's only occurs once a month, depending on what and how many subjects you're taking. Upon enrolment, you are given a class schedule as well as the exam schedule to ensure which subjects falls on which weekend and to ensure none of the subjects (e.g. if you take more than 1 subject) doesn't clashed with the exam schedule (You can't possibly take 2 subjects at the same time, unless it's the same day but different time). So for those working 5 days week, it's convenient for them to attend the tutorials. However, there won't be any replacement classes should you fail to attend the tutorials. You will need to email the tutor or post your question on the students portal's forum. The tutors are part-timers and have many years of experience in the careers, hence, the tutors that taught me so far, shared a lot of real experiences that they have encountered in their work or career, which makes the tutorials more interesting and easy to understand.
Overall, my experience in WOU has been OK so far. I have not much complaints. I manage to complete my assignments on time, I manage to attend all tutorials and I manage to score well for my exams. Only thing that I'm not satisfied is:

• We use to have course materials in Flash format, which is more interesting and easy to understand, however they have discontinued the method as they deem too costly (for budget and labour)
• The exam venues are always different, and there's once I went to a college, where WOU rented a hall to conduct the exam, the washroom was so awful I just find it very difficult to even walk pass, don't say walk in.
• I was looking for some supplementary materials at the students' portal. This supplementary materials are slides that will be use during the tutorials and it helps me to understand the tutorials better. However, when I went to check for the slides it was in the folders, so I posted on the forum asking the Course Coordinator on the whereabouts. The next day, during my tutorial, this replacement tutor, who replaced the original tutor (his mum's passed away so he unable to conduct the tutorials), she asked who is the one that posted on the forum asking the slides whereabouts. She 'nicely' pointed out that this student SURELY did not do their studies and did not bother to read the course notes. I felt offended. And she some more ask who was it. In the back of my head, I wondered if she really expect the students to raise their hand and admit its him/her so she can continue to taunt on this student? And ironically, this tutor always emphasise on been ethical and empathy on whatever things you are doing, unfortunately, she is not practising what she preaches? I will not deem her as a bad tutor, no point. I just hope she practise what she preaches. If I know that these supplementary materials are uploaded by the tutor, I will not have posted the question on the forum. I will instead email the tutor. Well, lesson learn.
• My previous subjects, which I took (Marketing, Computing and HR), the Course Coordinators are very active in answering and assisting students in the forum. All the questions posted on the forum are always answered promptly. And they even put in the trouble to post interesting articles or videos to help us better understand the chapters. Unfortunately, my current semester (Management and Communication), the Course Coordinators are not only unhelpful, they rarely seen in the forum unless it's the very last minute when it's the assignment submission deadline. I wish they have a SOP on these Course Coordinators as well as Tutors.

Anyway, this are just my experience studying here. I will not say I will definitely continue my studies, as I have to see how's my current workload, if I'm able to squeeze my time to do my degree. But, it's a bit easier than to go to the physical campus to attend classes after work. I definitely unable to do that. So there's always a pros and cons in everything, but you really, really have to be very committed in your studies if you really wanna achieve your goal. And most importantly, to have full support (morally and emotionally) from your family and loved ones, as sadly, I do not have any support because they find studying a waste of time and money, hence the only support I seek and receive is God.
At the end of the day, most companies they very much prefer to see your capability and work experience as they find that qualifications and degrees are just a piece of paper to decorate the CV. I took this program is because I wanna have a basic background on business management as during my college years, I studied fashion design, but throughout my career, I'm working in the admin position, hence that's the reason why I decided to study business management. So the choice is yours.