To keep up OU studies?

[Ismene]

In 2009 I started studying with the OU because I was in a job I hated and I needed something to feel enthusiastic about and stimulated by. I have since completed 2 modules (Level 1 and 2) with distinctions and I still love the subject I am doing (Literature).

I have also since found a job I love so much I would do it for free and my passion in my career has been reignited. My OU studies have no connection to my job at all and so do not improve my career prospects in any way. I have never qualified for financial assistance for the OU (rightly so and I know I am very lucky to have been able to do this in the first place), so continuing with my studies costs around £90 per month during each 9 month module.

I'm so torn. I really enjoy studying, but no longer need it to keep my sanity in the way I did when I started. Money is tighter and if I am honest the £700ish per year in course fees plus books on top could mean a holiday for us each year. It is now more like an expensive hobby and so maybe I would be selfish to continue. I'm sad about it though and feel like my effort so far has been wasted.

So what do you think? Unreasonable to continue or unreasonable to stop? All points of view welcome to help me reach a decision!

Can you continue studying courses which do have a connection to your job?

If it's a fulfilling hobby for you then I see no real reason to stop unless you really can't afford it.

how long are you intending to study for? I think you could allow yourself a bit of financial indulgence (this seems to be the main driver for you considering dropping the course) in the short term and then go on holiday in 2 or 3 years time.

On the other hand, if you're considering this over the next 10 years then no family holiday for that long might be too harsh a choice.

How do the other members of your family feel about it?

Its not wasted - you can always go back to it later! I've done 2 courses through OU with a few years in between - no problem.

Ismene - Are you the only one in your family spending any money on something that isn't absolutely essential?

I think it's a real shame to think that study has to be related to your job. Or has to be financially rewarding. There is more to life than career and family.
Don't give up on a passion. Literature is an enduring subject because so many people find meaning and life in it. You are entitled to be included amoung those people. And it's only for a few years.

If you really are spending all your household's "extras" income on yourself then perhaps you could cut down how often you do a course (isn't that sort of flexibility one of the OU's advantages).

I think you should carry on provided that you are still enjoying the course and have the time and money to do it. I certainly don't think £700 per year is too much to spend on something like this. It does sound like you can afford it even though you could find something else to do with the money (couldn't we all?).

Thank you for all the replies, some inspiring stuff there! Dh is very supportive of me studying, and says it is totally my choice. I chose to start this at a time when I was thinking deeply about what I would regret not doing in life. I could take some courses related to my career but I don't want to because I have another 40 years in my career and hopefully will get some sybsubsidised study at some point. I'm not the only one spending on non essentials. Just feel guilty!

You don't say if you have a degree already. I don't and am also partway through studying for one with the OU. Although it won't help my career prospects at the moment, who knows what the future holds? A degree is a good thing to have! I've been on shortlisting/interviewing committees for jobs where we've had hundreds of applicants. Even where a degree is not a requirement of the job, when the initial sifting is done to get the number of applications which need to be read down to a manageable level, I've seen crude decisions being made like 'let's cut the 300 applications down to 120 by not considering anyone who doesn't have a degree.' It's always made me uncomfortable because I know I'd be in that pile of rejects despite my experience and work history. However, I can see why they resort to such methods when so many people have applied.

In short, anything at all that you can do to make yourself more employable in the future has to be a bonus!