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Original poster

Failed degree and am a complete failure

147 replies

loseridiot · 10/09/2023 21:24

Hi,

Failed an OU open degree after failing the final EMA. Thought it would just mean a lower classification but it'll be a diploma. When it comes it's going straight in the bin.

Can't stop crying. Everybody always said I was useless, stupid and would never amount to anything. Wanted to prove they were wrong. They weren't. Always had minimum wage jobs as no better for anything else. Thought it might improve prospects and help others.

Hope nobody is in this position. What a waste of time and money.

OP posts:
Thistlelass · 10/09/2023 21:41

Hi. Sorry to read what you are going through and how upset you are. I did a degree with the OU many years ago. Sorry but I do not know what an EMA is. So I wonder if you have discussed the situation with your Tutor as regards the best way forward? You know it could be as simple as you did not opt fof the best subjects for you to follow. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. It could also be that the OU is not the best study route for you as it is very insular. Nothing wrong with good diploma you know! I would be giving self time to recover and planning my next move. I hope you do too.

IamSmarticus · 10/09/2023 21:42

Can you have a reassessment/re-sit? It may mean that your mark will be capped though.

ConnieTucker · 10/09/2023 21:43

IamSmarticus · 10/09/2023 21:42

Can you have a reassessment/re-sit? It may mean that your mark will be capped though.

This. Is there no option to resit and achieve an ordinary degree?

Original poster
loseridiot · 10/09/2023 21:44

Thank you so so much for replying. Glad you did your degree and hope it helped you.

An EMA is a dissertation. The final assessment. Won't be going back as failed but really pleased you succeeded Flowers

OP posts:
TooOldForThisNonsense · 10/09/2023 21:44

I’m sorry to hear this. But you’re most certainly not any of the things you say you are. See what options there are, sorry I don’t know anything about OU, but getting a diploma has also taken work and is an achievement

Itslosenotloose · 10/09/2023 21:45

What module was it? You can resit? Personally I think there’s a little bit of self sabotage going on here.

ConnieTucker · 10/09/2023 21:45

loseridiot · 10/09/2023 21:44

Thank you so so much for replying. Glad you did your degree and hope it helped you.

An EMA is a dissertation. The final assessment. Won't be going back as failed but really pleased you succeeded Flowers

Enat do uou mean by ‘wont be going back as failed’? As in you arent allowed or you dont want to?

were you not informed how to improve on drafts?

ConnieTucker · 10/09/2023 21:45

Itslosenotloose · 10/09/2023 21:45

What module was it? You can resit? Personally I think there’s a little bit of self sabotage going on here.

Yes i agree.

HikingforScenery · 10/09/2023 21:46

Really sorry you’re going through this. I’m sure you’re not a failure.
I hope you find a way through this. Take care of yourself

Angelik · 10/09/2023 21:48

I think you're amazing. I am in awe of people who go into higher education later in life. Right now you're understandably feeling crushed but there will be a way through. Talk to your tutor.

Original poster
loseridiot · 10/09/2023 21:49

Thank you all for being so kind and your time even though don't deserve either.

Can resit and had a tutor session but no further forward. Still struggling to know where to improve. There's also the option to resit the year and do same or different subject but it was Psychology. Always wanted to do that. Stupid useless idiot. Won't pass either way. Got diplomas and not having another. It was the degree to prove something. Going to tell them not to post it.

OP posts:
Dolly567 · 10/09/2023 21:49

Are you in your final year?
I've just done an EMA
They're tough, not easy at all
Stop beating yourself up

Alstroemeria123 · 10/09/2023 21:49

As it’s the Open degree, can’t you just unlink the module you failed and take another module instead?

Woush · 10/09/2023 21:50

FYI - my husband doesn't have any GCSE passes, or any further education.

He works in a professional, post-grad education type of level job. His career progressed through experience, rather than education.

When I met him (1996) he had just left working on a factory line for a bar job. Then call centre, then team leader, team manager, project manager and so on...

christinarossetti19 · 10/09/2023 21:50

I'm very sorry to hear that and I'm sure that you're devastated at the moment, but honestly all is not lost.

EMA - exam type assessment

A diploma is sort of 2/3 of a degree, although it's a qualification in its own right. Was your final year just one module? If not, you will have gained some credits for the modules that you did. How many credits have you got now?

I'm doing an MSc with the OU and as pp says, it's insular. It's not that the content is any harder than a bricks and mortar university, but the ploughing through it by yourself is harder and less satisfying imvhe.

I had an meeting with the careers and employability team at the OU a while ago and found it very helpful. They're available to all students for up to three years after you complete your qualification. They may be able to help you think through your next move.

Or are you able to speak with your course tutor?

TooOldForThisNonsense · 10/09/2023 21:50

Don’t do anything rash. Let yourself have a little wallow and look into what it takes to go again. Xx

Itslosenotloose · 10/09/2023 21:51

Your post just isn’t making sense. I’ve just finished an OU open degree. Some people did fail the EMA but they are resitting and not just giving up. You do have options you’re just self destructing and wallowing which isn’t going to help you in the long run.

Whataretheodds · 10/09/2023 21:52

Stupid useless idiot. Won't pass either way.

Enough of that. You are NOT going to be the victim here. You will not let them win. They do not define you. You are good enough just as you are. You are worthy.

TheHennaHairedHarridan · 10/09/2023 21:54

So you failed the dissertation but have been offered a resit? What mark did you get and what is the pass mark? You may only need to make minor changes to make it a pass.

Annaishere · 10/09/2023 21:56

Hi, I failed my diploma a few years ago. I’m going to try again. I want to make sure I can’t do it before giving up completely, for all the work I put into it. Would you consider the same ?

Original poster
loseridiot · 10/09/2023 21:58

Thank you to all except Itslosenotloose.

Have cried all weekend and crying now. No, it's not going to fix anything but allowed to feel like this as ex-parents told me I wasn't allowed.

To answer, yes it is the module. Can re-sit but not confident at all. Need 7 points to pass. Could resit and will have to wait and see but not sure about that. It was such a surprise after passing everything else.

OP posts:
TheHennaHairedHarridan · 10/09/2023 21:58

Also, what marks did you get for previous assessments? If you were getting high marks before then it may be that you misunderstood the question for the assessment you failed.

Or was your mark affected by other things that were going on in your life, for example if you have been ill? If so then speak to the university about possible mitigation.

WonThisNameInARaffle · 10/09/2023 22:01

Do the resit. What were your marks for your other modules? You can still get a degree out of this if you want to, take some time to regroup, speak to student support and try again with a clear head.

Original poster
loseridiot · 10/09/2023 22:01

Thanks everybody for replying.

Most marks were in the 70's before. A few a bit lower but good passes. Got 33 for EMA so 7 points short.

Well done for those who did degrees or are thinking of doing them, and to those who did well anyway.

No mitigating circumstances. Am down as a student with disability but that doesn't stop me working for the NHS. Just very very stupid.

OP posts:
Original poster
loseridiot · 10/09/2023 22:03

It would have been nice to have used it to help others.

OP posts:
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