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Original poster

Would it be the worst to not finish my degree?

29 replies

studentornot · 11/04/2023 18:36

I’m two thirds of the way through my a degree with the OU. When I started it I had no clue what I wanted to do so picked a generic social sciences subject. I have completed ‘Level 5’ and have a Diploma of Higher Education, would be able to accept a graduation ceremony from this in lieu of having one after achieving the full bachelors.

I have recently passed my probation period for my new job, it’s a well respected career with a decent salary and room for progression. My qualifications weren’t really taken into account, I got in through experience at various different jobs. Never saw myself doing it but could now never imagine myself doing anything else!

I work FT and am in the process of purchasing our first home and haven’t got the time to complete it currently. I almost feel like it’s a shame to come so far and then not finish it, because I have worked really hard up to press. However the subject isn’t overly useful and would make no practical difference to me. If I did it, it would be more to safeguard future me although I hope I’m pretty safe as I am local authority

Thoughts welcome

OP posts:
MumInBrussels · 11/04/2023 18:41

Can you pick up again where you left off, if you decide to come back to it later on? That would maybe make the decision easier, if so.

SugarSyrup · 11/04/2023 21:07

Can you defer for a while?

nzeire · 11/04/2023 21:16

I couldn’t leave that incomplete!

Interested in this thread?

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Higher education
Easterfunbun · 11/04/2023 21:17

Finish it. I could have wrote your post. I’m now just doing my final essay. A degree with honours is worth so much more than the diploma and you don’t even have to complete it this year, or next. Just take a module at a time. 🐌.

Easterfunbun · 11/04/2023 21:18

Or just defer. Don’t self sabotage and protect your future options.

2chocolateoranges · 11/04/2023 21:18

Definitely carry on.

WeAreAllLionesses · 11/04/2023 21:19

I would try and finish it if you can, can you do the last year as part time (so over 2 years alongside your job)?

You've come this far, it would be a shame not to finish it completely.

YukoandHiro · 11/04/2023 21:19

With the OU isn't it just based on module completion? So surely you can slow down and just take longer to get it?

214 · 11/04/2023 21:22

Having pushed through 2/3rds of it you owe it yourself to finish the thing off, think about how you will feel when its done! I don't underestimate the effort involved having studied with OU myself in the recent past and would suggest you try to spread your final credits out over a longer period rather than study the rate you have up until now. Good luck!

Eas1lyd1stracted · 11/04/2023 21:22

I'd finish it. There will very likely be other jobs in the future and the qualification might be relevant. There might also be a post graduate qualification you want to do in the future you can't apply for as you've only got two thirds of a degree

MuffinToSeeHere · 11/04/2023 21:25

I couldn't leave it so close to completion and just walk away. I understand your reasoning as you've now got an amazing job but this job might not be forever, no one knows what around the corner and maybe in future the degree will be invaluable.

I would do everything possible to try and complete it.

Londontrees · 11/04/2023 21:28

I am an OU student and had a year out after finishing level 2, did a level 3 module, had another year out and am now nearing the end of my final module. It does seem to have gone on forever now and am getting bored with it, but I really want to be able to say I have an honours degree - this is just for me as I did not have the opportunity when I left school. It is not to get a better job.

I think you would regret it if you stop now. Just have a year out then do a level 3 module and another gap if you need it before your final module.

PinkFluffyUnicornsDancingOnRainbows · 11/04/2023 21:31

Just intermit for a year and then decide whether to go back, go part time, or accept the diploma. You will probably be a lot less tired when your job is less new and you have moved house.

Easterfunbun · 11/04/2023 21:45

@Londontrees

Same, it’s took me 7 years but I’m about to finish now. Last leg.

Andbenjenwashisnameo · 11/04/2023 21:52

I'd finish it.

I scrapped a degree about ¾ of the way through when I decided I hated what I was studying. I could have abandoned ship and done a vocational qualification in what I was really interested in but I decided to use the credits I had earned to switch to a different degree so that I still finished university with a degree in something. I enjoyed that final year much more in my new subject and then I went on to take the diploma in my chosen career.

The diploma has proven to be far more useful but getting the degree saw my years at university not going to waste- I got a degree and I enjoyed broadening my studies.

Punkyspunky · 11/04/2023 21:53

Do it now. I almost bailed on my MA. Was encouraged to push on and never have regretted it.

ohjeesus · 11/04/2023 21:59

I was in the same predicament, only i was pregnant, working nights in a shit job (wasnt busy so got loads of work done, was a mature student in university) had two kids 10 +12 at the time! And was buying a house in my third year! Got a first class degree but i regret it to this day! Oldest went straight off the rails because i was never there, relationship with partner broke down. Ended up a single mother of three with a great degree, a house and i still work 50 hours a week in a shit job haha you gotta laugh! Finish it if you can but otherwise put it on the back burner xx

Easterfunbun · 11/04/2023 22:04

@ohjeesus

That sounds like you took on too much at the detriment of everything and everyone else in your life. I felt overwhelmed during covid when I had to home school and so therefore I deferred. An OU degree isn’t supposed to take over your life, just enhance it and open up your possibilities. You can take up to a maximum of 16 years to complete a degree.

ColouringPencils · 11/04/2023 22:13

If you are anything like me and prone to self-sabotage, then you might be posting here for someone to tell you to just f'ing do it.
You don't say how old you are, but I am going to guess you have at least 30 years left to work. Your great new job will at some point probably get old and frustrating and if your next potential move is hampered by your lack of degree, you will be really pissed off with yourself for not completing it. You also don't say if you have children yet or hope to in the future. If you plan to have kids, I would get the studying out of the way now, before you have to factor in childcare etc.

ohjeesus · 11/04/2023 22:16

I definitely took on too much and my life turned to shit for three years after it….its all good now but wish i could turn back time!

ohjeesus · 11/04/2023 22:27

Ah just read what you said again, i wasn’t OU i went to university! So there was time pressures! But yes my degree hanging up in my bathroom makes me feel resentful every time i look at it….hence me putting it next to the toilet 😂

Coxspurplepippin · 11/04/2023 22:33

Can you transfer to something more relevant?

Don't give up - not saying you'll regret it in the future if you do but you'll regret it in the future if you do.

You've come so far, and you don't know what the future holds, so it's worth completing your studies. You never know when you might need that piece of paper. Even in your current job, if you're looking for promotion, the difference between you and another candidate might be that piece of paper....

Trollsinmyeggbox · 12/04/2023 13:42

I'm at this point with a PhD. I think realistically I'm going to suspend for a while and go back to it but it really pains me to make it last even bloody longer.

BHRK · 12/04/2023 13:45

2/3 of the way through?? Just finish it. You never know when you might want to change jobs. Many jobs do care about your education… even a decade later. Don’t look for excuses, just push on

Tarkan · 12/04/2023 14:03

You should be able to defer, the OU gives you something like 16 years to finish the degree unless that's changed recently.

I started my first course in 2008, then my second in 2011 and took my Cert HE from that in 2012.

I then decided to go back to the degree in 2020 as I have until October 2024 to complete it.

I start my final course for it this October so I'll be finished in time.