Changing my mind about my degree (again)

[MarianneEnjolras]

I started a degree with the OU last year. I originally signed up for a history degree as I didn't know what I wanted to do but then my interest in learning French was reignited so I changed to a French/humanities pathway with the intention of studying philosophy as the other half of my qualification, as I realised I like that better than history.

I have been trying to figure out what I want to do after I graduate (although that's a long way off ATM) and so far I have narrowed it down to law, social work or joining the police. I can't decide which currently and no doubt will change my mind many times between now and when it comes to it!

However this has got me thinking about my choice to study French. French is a private hobby, which I don't have enough opportunities to practice but I'm not sure of it's relevance as a qualification bearing in mind I can't actually move to France right now. The OU offer a philosophy & psychology degree, which I think may be more relevant to my intended career path. However, I've never studied psychology before and I'm worried as it's a complete unknown entity.

So that's my dilemma, do I choose French because I like it, or psychology because it may be more relevant? Psychology is completely new ground so iabu to be wary of making the choice? And will the OU be annoyed at me for changing my mind again?

OK, well if you want to be a lawyer, presumably a more 'normal' route would be to study a Law degree; however you have to study an LlB in order for it to be useful for you.

If you want to do social work later, you'll have to do a post grad course anyway, so do whatever you like now. Same with the police - do whatever degree you like now, though a Law degree would obviously be useful there.

A language is always useful. My daughter studied French and loved it. Would you be able to spend a year abroad? I studied Philosophy and didn't like it, but plenty do.

In the end I would study modules which I found really interesting, because you'll obviously work harder if you find it fascinating.

I doubt the OU will care, to be honest!

Could you perhaps do an open degree so you get bits of everything? And I don't think the OU care (unless you are on transitional arrangements), lots of people change degrees.

Do you have any biology qualifications? I did first year psychology at uni and got an exemption but failed second year. It was really heavy on the biology.

I've heard Psychology is heavy on statistics. Not sure whether it depends which university you study at.

I did a psychology degree with the OU. You need to do specific courses to get the degree so if you want to change do it sooner rather than later. There is some statistics in the course. I don't recall any biology but as i had a degree already i didn't have to do any level 1 courses. I loved it and went on to train to be a social worker. You can't do SW training with the OU unless you have been seconded. I did my SW training at a uni local to me.

Have you just finished AA100? If so, snap!

I changed from eng lit to humanities with philosophy. A humanities degree offers a really wide choice of courses.

You could always try level 2 psychology and if you hate it, you can still get a named degree focussing on something else for your other courses.

I'd write down all the modules you like the look of then see how you can do the majority of them within a named pathway. Your best bet might be a humanities or combined social sciences degree using your free choice module for the French, Alternatively just pick and mix it and get an open ba/bsc.

If you are enjoying French, I'd stick with that, especially as you are so unsure about your future plans.

I wouldn't study something purely because it's relevant: lots of subjects are relevant to your career ideas, but not essential for those careers.

Having a close look at the detailed syllabuses might help you make up your mind.

Doing a French degree may feed your soul, but it mayn't be the best route to learning the language. One of my degrees is in French, but most of the French I know comes from my general reading, listening to Brel, Brassens, Aznavour et al. for pleasure, and travels to France and Morocco.

When it all costs such a hell of a lot of money now, you're probably best off doing a practical degree which will help you launch a career, and taking French lessons (or teach yourself over the internet- it's fun and easy and free to read Le Figaro and watch Les Revenants on youtube) as a hobby. You will almost certainly learn far more French that way.

I am back at uni doing a postgrad in something that actually interests me and it is much easier and I will be happier at the end. I am 39 now.
My parents forced me to give up all the subjects I liked and I ended up with a BSc in geophysics when young. I also ended up in a career path i hated for 20 years. I did briefly switch out and get extra quals in somethi g else I thought would be relevant but in the end i hated that too.
Both jobs I felt like a prisoner.
If you like french and are still unsure just stick with french for now while trying ogher stuff along the way a d see what happens. Languages are always handy qualifications on or off a resume.
Good luck

Sorry bad spelling - my fingers are too fat for my phone : )

Do French

Eg law, study French / philosophy - brilliant foundational subjects that you'll always be grateful you studied, then do a GDL or a graduate LLB if you want. I wish I had studied languages, which I loved and was brilliant at. I did law and hated it :) always do what you enjoy as you will succeed in that the most

I don't think the OU will be bothered, I am half way through my history degree with them, waiting for results of A218.
The only thing I would say is that if you have declared a qualification for transitional fees there might be extra rules re swapping. You would be best to speak to student support.

Choose the degree you will enjoy the most. That is the degree you will do the best in, with fulfill you and lead you down the right career path.

Choose what makes you happy and money/success will follow. Don't feel pressured to take a "career" degree unless you are dead set on that career path.

Think to yourself "how would I look back in x years on this?"

MarianneEnjolras, I am a senior lecturer in psychology at a redbrick university. Contrary to much popular belief, psychology is a science subject and as others have mentioned it is quite heavy on statistics, and involves a certain amount of biology.
Having said that, there is no reason to be wary of it simply because you haven't studied it before. The way that it is often taught at A level, typically by non-experts, is very different to the way that it is taught at university. I find it more difficult to teach students who have done the subject at school, because their approach to the subject has been shaped by that experience. Not only do they have a particular view of the subject, but they miss lectures and tutorials on subjects that they think they know about from their A level.
If you have any specific questions about psychology degrees, ask and I shall do my best to answer them.