Distance Leaning Degree

[TravellingSpoon]

If you completed your degree online via distance learning are you glad you did, or was it a lot of stress?

I am thinking of doing so but worried about juggling work and family life with studying. It would just be doing it for doing its sake, rather than a particular career goal in mind.

You need to be very motivated to keep up with all the study required/meet deadlines - if you're easily distracted or tend to prioritise other things it may not be the best option for you.

I'm doing a OU degree for the sake of doing it (although it is my job too) I'm in my second last year and nearing the end of 2 modules - as at today I wish I had never started the bloody thing but come September I'll be itching to get my next module books!

My first degree was blended learning; each semester twice weekly on campus for four modules, then two modules online. It was four years. I found easier to build a rapport with my classmates, which may or may not be important.
My current degree programme is completely distance learning, and although it’s a top university, it’s the biggest shower of crap. We’re supposed to ask questions via an online forum (“Other students may share your curiosity”) but often you’ll get a response from the lecturer weeks later - well after the relevant assignment was due.
I’d prefer a blended experience

I am just about to finish mine at the end of May. It's the best thing I've ever done as in September I start the postgrad qualification that will enable me to have the career I've always wanted and lacked.

I also haven't found it particularly hard if I'm honest. You just have to be disciplined with time and make sure you do the work needed. With OU there is great support so if you're struggling they'll help you. Go for it I say.

For my money, education is never ever a waste of time. And in terms of career is invaluable (I wouldn't be where I am now without my degrees). I've studied in 2 bricks and mortar universities and also with OU. OU is fantastic (I'm still doing it). You have to be very motivated and good at prioritising and organising your time. But yes, well worth it.

I'm just finishing an MA (creative writing) with the OU. It has been great and I'll probably sign up for something else afterwards - maybe psychology. You do have to be disciplined, but that is a good thing.

You need to be very motivated to keep up with all the study required/meet deadlines - if you're easily distracted or tend to prioritise other things it may not be the best option for you.

This exactly. A friend of mine started an OU degree 3 years ago, procrastinated with studying in favour of other activities since she "didn't actually have to go to school", and have now basically given up any hope of ever completing it.

IMO, as someone who did A levels completely by herself years ago at home with far less support than distance learning could (allegedly) provide, to do well, you need:

1. Planning and the discipline to follow through with it

If, according to your plan, today's going to be a 4-hour study day, you need to sit there for 4 hours studying. No popping by to the store, no surfing Mumsnet, no telling yourself that you'll just do 8 hours another day.

1. A certain inclination for the subject you choose

I love maths, and for me, further maths/maths were the easiest to "self-study". Chemistry, on the other hand, was a complete disaster without a tutor I could sit there with for a sort of weekly Q&A session. Yes, some distance learning courses do provide you with a personal tutor. However, from my understanding of it via forum posts of people having undergone that, it's more of a supplementary session for simple, minor questions. Not quite helpful if you ever find yourself completely "lost".

Having said that, distance learning definitely has its merits, especially in terms of flexibility. One thing about your post sticks out to me though.

It would just be doing it for doing its sake, rather than a particular career goal in mind.

This doesn't just apply to DL, but you need to make sure you are definitely interested in the subject you have in mind to prevent so-called "burnout". Many a time, something you're interested in now doesn't necessarily translate to sustained interest once you've got grades and exams to contend with.

Perhaps you could try getting a textbook of whatever subject you're planning to do, sit down with it for a month or so, couple of hours a day, 3-4 days a week, and decide if it's right for you from there?

Oh my god sorry for that massive wall of text!

www.london.ac.uk/ways-study/distance-learning

You can study for a degree etc from home with the University of London. You have to be quite disciplined, it is a case of getting into a routine.

Distance Leaning Degree

Loving the typo in the title!