Help with OU

[Mimmee]

Posting here for traffic as have had no luck in other topics...would appreciate any advice or experience anyone has.

I have finally found the courage to look into studying and getting a degree. I did start uni at 18 but was unable to complete my degree (science based) due to ill health. This was over 10 years ago.

Finances and time with a young family dictate that OU is going to be my only real option in the foreseeable future. I was initially interested in a psychology degree, with a focus on childhood studies as I enjoy working with children and had considered primary teaching as a future career path.

However, as I have a science interest background I was also considering whether natural sciences with a focus on biology would be a better option? Will a science degree be a "better" option as more in demand or would the fact that it is distance learning be a problem? (E.g. lack of practical science lab skills etc) I don't plan on having a lab based career if that has any bearing on things!

Any advise or even general insight into studying with the OU would be really appreciated!

Not sure what happened to the paragraphs I put in so apologies!

I can't advise on what area to study, but make sure you talk to them about credit transfer. Appropriate HE study done elsewhere that is up to 16 years old can be used towards an OU degree, so reducing the amount of new study you have to do.

Thank you, I had heard about credit transfer and it is another possible plus for the natural sciences programme if my previous study is seen as relevant

I'm in the second year of my Psychology degree with OU and I am enjoying it, however it is now extremely hard work as I have 12 week old DD. The first year was a breeze even with doing full time study, full time work and being pregnant!

I suppose it depends how you learn - there's a lot online which I don't particularly like but the book materials are good. You need to ensure that you're going to have the time as the deadlines are inflexible and if you get behind on the week to week work then it's hard to catch up again.

I would definitely say go for it!