To want to better myself but not sure how

[lily1062]

I'm a mum to a 1 and half year old, I work part time in a min wage retail job, I really want to better myself and but just don't know where to start. Any suggestions?

Online courses, evening classes, distance learning degree, volunteering somewhere. Read plenty of books, from all genres. take up a hobby

Open university do online courses on a variety of things, and there are others you can do too, just look on Google.

Some places also do 3 day courses for things like merchandising.

@DeadDoorpost I have looked at the open university, I thought you had to be working within the sector to a open uni degree, I'm happy to do a part time degree or distance learning degree. I don't have any a levels though so not sure where I would start!

You don't need traditional qualifications to do OU - look at their website to see what is possible. I thought nk these days they have some short free courses you can try, too.

Advice that I found really helpful was to write down my ultimate goal - where I wanted to end up. If it's a dream job, write it down. If it's honing a particular skill, write it down. If it's a lifestyle overhaul- write it down.

Then do a little research. What's going to help you get there? Is it a specialised class, or a degree? A particular qualification? Membership to a club? An appointment with a careers/school/diet and exercise coach? Write them all under your goal, from start to finish, in order, like a to-do list. Make your ultimate goal the last dot point.

When you see it in black and white it's easier to see where you need to begin, and start the process. Each point becomes more concrete, organised and manageable. It's not a scary mess of fog and confusion in your head.

Now you have a plan, and can begin to achieve.

Best of luck!

Thank you for all your posts, I either want to do social work or something medical like operating department practice, as a end goal. Just got to work out how to get there.

This is what I meant about the OU...

www.open.edu/openlearn/

I agree about end goals. Dream about where you'd like to be in 5 years time.
You already have two ideas for careers. Do some research on each of them: what qualifications do they need? What are the hours like? How many openings are there near you? If you worked full time, how would that fit with your DD's school? Do you have space for an au pair?

Work out where you;d need to be in three years time, so be on track for where you;d like to be in 5 years time. Then do the same for in two years time, then one year from now, six months, three months, two, one. Break down the stages into managable goals with deadlines. This month could be deep research into job opporunities, work experience/shadowing, relevant training courses, costs, available funding etc. Do something each day.

Thank you for all your comments, does anyone know if there is anywhere legitimate, online to do A Levels?

Do you need to do A-levels? Look at Access courses - they can be an alternative way of entering university if you don't have traditional qualifications.

@EBearhug I did a access course 2 years ago, but due to falling pregnant and having pre term labour, i didn't quite get enough merits to go to get into uni- 4 merits short! Hence why I was thinking maybe a levels was the way to go.

A hopeful bump

Have you thought about what it is you really want?
As in what’s your dream life?
I do a vision board (google them) - it helps me work out what’s important to me.
For me going to Uni would be a waste of time and money however many times I have thought I should as everyone else seems to!

Also coaching is a great thing - they basically help you figure out what you want and how to achieve it.
To qualify people always need to do case studies so you could always contact a local Uni that offers it and see if they need any.

Ps - I’m aware that Brooke’s Uni in Oxford currently need some for their MA in Coaching