Signing up for the Open University

[raspberryraindrops]

I'm 38, married and with 2 young children. Kids are early primary and FT nursery.

I've had a difficult few years with one thing and another but I got through it. There's still difficulties ahead but I've made peace with that and feel more resilient.

DH is a stay at home dad and carer for a family member and I work part time, 3 days a week. I have been applying for FT jobs but there is nothing I truly yearn to do that I have the skills for and it wouldn't make us much more better of financially anyway as my PT wage is pretty good.

I completed 2 years of FE in my early 20s and dropped out of the degree in my final year due to stress.

I was talking to my counsellor about another job I was thinking of applying for but was in 2 minds about it. We discussed it and I came to the realisation that I didn't actually want it and was just applying for it because I thought I should (i.e. FT). My counsellor said I should think about getting some qualifications while I had the chance whilst working PT.

It got me thinking and researching and I have come across a degree course I would like to do with the OU. However, instead of commiting to the degree, I am planning on doing the certificate then diploma then degree.

I don't like the thought of the it taking me 6 years though! I was thinking of maybe doing the certificate over 1 year and seeing how I get on? Does anyone have experience of doing the OU courses and if they're estimations of how much time it takes to do is accurate?

Also, am I mad for doing this?? I feel old...

This thread has made me feel positive (and excited) about doing this now.

It's not a vocational degree but it's something I'm interested in so I hope it will lead to a better job in an area I'm passionate about (I don't know what this is exactly yet!).

I’m starting a degree with the OU in October, full time (120 credits) for the first year and then part time (60 credits) for four years.

I remember looking at starting a degree six years ago and thinking that it would take far too long, I really wish I had enrolled back then as I would be graduating this year! The way I see it now is I can either have a degree or no degree in five years time, the five years will still pass regardless

@impeccabledave That's the way I was thinking of doing it too. But still apprehensive about FT for the first year. Still not sure. I'll hopefully be better informed when I get my callback from the OU and can discuss it further.

I will be starting my 2nd year fulltime in October. I have heard that its quite a bit of a step up for 2nd and 3rd years so I am concerned but still feel it will be achievable. Studying two modules in the first year was not too bad.

Have you looked at the study planner on the OU website? [[http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/time-planner ]]

I found that quite helpful.