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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To quit work and do an OU degree?

129 replies

Agix · 29/07/2025 08:55

I've posted about quitting work before, due to my health. I was advised by mumsnet that at the time it wasn't the best idea. Suggestion was to go part time instead, which I did.

Since then, my health has declined further. It's some life-long mental health, some physical health, and recently diagnosed neurodivergence which may explain a whole lot of it. I am in therapy on the NHS now.

My partner and I have gotten married since. His income has also increased slightly.

Hes very keen for me to quit work now and focus on taking time to get better, he says he doesn't want to see me so unwell and with no life anymore, and just carrying on like this. He says he thinks it'll just keep getting worse if nothing changes, and I can't say I think he's wrong. I went part time, and things are still getting worse. I feel I can't catch up, nothing is getting fixed.

He is extremely keen for me to get a degree when I told him I wanted to, I never got the chance when I was younger, and I'd love to do it too. He says I deserve the opportunity and believes I'd do well.

With his take home pay, we have around £300 a month left over after current expenses.. Perhaps more when we cut and reduce the unnecessary expenses (subscriptions, etc). We have around £10k savings. So it'll be tight... But doesnt everyone have to struggle to get anywhere? He says getting further raises is not out of the question for him either. No kids, just a cat. No kids on the horizon.

I'm scared with the drop in income, my take home is low but we live well and securely now due to it, but coming round to the idea for the sake of bettering myself . I don't think current work is sustainable anyway, I'm not performing well anymore with the impact of my health. Reasonable adjustments havnt worked. Losing this job isn't off the table...

I think quitting work, and doing an OU course (Law) would be great for me. I get some time off work before course starts, can manage my own time during, learn from home, attending therapy, and have a goal so I'm not rotting... And hopefully new, better footing to re-enter the work force when I am able. Re-calibrate for 3-4 years.

Is it entirely stupid to be on the verge of doing this?

YABU - don't do it.

YANBU - do it, it could work out for the best (obviously with effort from me).

OP posts:
Lovingbooks · 29/07/2025 08:59

Law is quite a full on degree if you struggled with part time work due to your health are you sure a big commitment to studying is the best idea. You are the one best to judge what you can manage. Personally I wouldn’t risk financial insecurity.

Dearlucyloo · 29/07/2025 08:59

Are you on receipt of any benefits for your disabilities?

Nasrine · 29/07/2025 08:58

My daughter is doing an OU degree alongside work, and absolutely loves it. The learning materials are fantastic. I think most people who do an OU degree feel the teaching is excellent.

All that said, if I was you I'd still want some part time work, maybe in a job that was less stressful? It's awful not to have any income of your own.

Lavenderandclimbingrose · 29/07/2025 08:58

I think if you don’t try you won’t ever know. My husband has a degree in Economics and then worked in IT for 30 years and started a part time OU degree 4 years ok, it’s hard on his time as he went part time to do it / but he loves history! So yes do it, have you done a degree before?