Adult Learning/OU. Any good?

[BeKindOrBeQuiet]

I've been a Sahm for 8 years (now a carer but I expect I won't be forever 🤞) previous to that I worked in retail for 10+ years.
My ex worked ft and I was a sahm which suited our family as a whole.
However we separated earlier this year and now I'm on benefits. Not how I imagined I'd be at 38 but there you go.

I'm thinking of doing a further education/ou course to hopefully gain some qualifications for when my dc are older and I don't need to be around for them as much as I do now. I'm trying to think ahead for the future.

Are they any good? What's your experiences of them? Do I need a laptop? I currently have an ipad. What's the workload like if you compare a full time course to a part time one?

Never signed up myself but thought about it numerous times, I would do the course in politics & international development. Now studying for professional qualifications so it’s on hold again.

However, a friend has done an OU course while working full time, she had a lot of online seminars, study books etc. You might be ok with a tablet but a laptop or PC would probably be easier for essays etc. My friend studied french and had a few residential weeks in France. It took about 5 years and now be has said it’s the best thing she’s ever done.

There will be a lot of support, including financial if you are on benefits. You should go for it OP.

Did OU years ago, pre the laptop age. They were great. Brilliantly organised.

While you probably can get away with attaching a keyboard to your iPad it would probably be easier to write your essays/assignments on a laptop.

You actually don't need a new laptop and it can have any operations system on it, so you maybe able to get an old one of someone or something like freegle.

You’ll definitely need a machine you’re happy to sit at for a long time, nearly every course material is fully online.

Most full time students undertake study that amounts to 120 credits per year, with the OU you’ll find some courses are 30, others 60. So it depends whether you want to be full time or not. Many students do work full time and study, but be prepared to sacrifice your evenings and any spare time to do this.

To get a flavour, sign up for their open learn courses (it’s free) and have a browse around.

www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue

It would be a brilliant investment to make in yourself for the future, go for it!

Thanks for the replies.

I'm going to have to have a proper look at laptops as I'm not very tech savvy and have no idea what ram is or what type of laptop I'd need😳 (I was looking earlier)

I was looking at the ou courses, if I go for it I'd probably go for it through them. I just don't want to put all the effort in and the course to not be of any benefit for the future. But from the replies it sounds all very positive

I am 39 and about to begin my 3rd year with the OU. Currently a sahm to four young children. I am studying international studies, started on an open pathway but switched to this one. It has been mostly positive, giving me confidence and enjoyment in the subject. Hard at times juggling it with family life ( I mainly study at night once kids in bed). I had to defer last year as struggled after my 4th child was born, but starting again this year. I have a hp laptop, nothing fancy but works for me. If you become a student you get office 365 student package for free. Also have a look at OpenLearn or Futurelearn for subjects or areas of interest. It works for me and my lifestyle at present, and so far a mainly positive experience.