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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get a loan/go to university?

32 replies

creepywoman · 21/08/2024 20:17

Bit of a weird one. I was always quite academic in school and got good graces. I went to university and studied psychology in 2015 but dropped out after my 1st year due to problems at home. I don’t have any credits for that period.

Fast forward to now, I’m 28 and on £40k.

It’s complicated but I now need to leave my job (due my manager being inappropriate with me, asking me out etc).

So I’m just reflecting on everything. I’m not sure if I can get a job on the same income or not as my confidence is shot. However equivalent jobs do actually pay more than what I’m on, so I could potentially secure something better without a degree.

However I’m kind of regretful I don’t have a degree and wonder if this could open up my prospects. I look at the open university and I could do a 6 year part time course, but then I’m thinking that’s a long time and I’m not sure if it would get me a better job. Aibu

OP posts:
Original poster
creepywoman · 21/08/2024 20:30

Dotto · 21/08/2024 20:23

Have you spoken to Acas about the chances of being compensated for constructive dismissal?

Yeah, it’s a horrible situation and I am considering a tribunal. But it’s overall got me in a reflective state as I’m essentially having to start over.

OP posts:
DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 21/08/2024 20:29

I did a career related degree, part time alongside my job which I funded via a student loan. It hasn't helped me in the way I had hoped yet (promotion/higher earnings) but I needed to try something as my experience was fairly limited.

I used a student loan which I am now paying back via salary deduction and dont even notice the payments. I'll keep plugging away at jobs to try and advance myself in the hope of proving to myself the degree was worthwhile (I detested every essay and nearly binned off the dissertation that gave me the Hons).

Best of luck whatever you decide!

User623 · 21/08/2024 20:24

Do the Open University, you'll be supported and maintain your income.

Catza · 21/08/2024 20:23

I have a completely opposite advice from the PP. As a mature student, I highly recommend doing a degree for pleasure, something which is going to stimulate you intellectually without thinking too much about career prospects.
I have done both. I did an arts and philosophy degree which, honestly, was an amazing thing and transformed my life in a way I never imagined possible. I then did vocational masters which was means to an end and not something to write home about.

Dotto · 21/08/2024 20:23

Have you spoken to Acas about the chances of being compensated for constructive dismissal?

ILikeItWhatIsIt · 21/08/2024 20:21

By the time you're 34, employers are probably going to value experience over a degree, unless it's something extremely specific. By all means do it for your own satisfaction, but I think it's unlikely to improve your job prospects, depending entirely on what degree/jobs you're looking at obviously.

Pieandchips999 · 21/08/2024 20:19

Personally I would only do a degree if it was a specific degree linked to a job. Well that's literally what I have done twice. I don't think a generic degree is particularly useful unless you're interested in graduate schemes or are confident what you want to do with it.

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