Should I go ahead with the course or not?

[TimeToRevolutionize]

Posting here for traffic as I don't get much answers on student parent thread.

Long story short, I failed my last year at uni as it was not a topic I was interested in. I couldn't get motivated by it and I had no determination to succeed and I knew it was not a career path I wanted to take. It was my doing and I completely accept it. It was easy to get into uni as it was technically a "Micky mouse" degree!

I am starting from scratch again. I am doing Maths and English level 2 as I do not have them so luckily I get to do it for free. I failed maths three times but I believe it is because I was not pushing myself hard enough. I hate maths with a passion but I really need to push myself to do it this time. I am also really considering doing a computer level 4 and 5 course. I like technical things and have always enjoyed fixing and doing computers. It is something I never tire or get bored of to be honest! It will cost money, but I am able to get an interest free personal loan with them so I just pay monthly instalments (0% interest over 60 months)

It will be a distance learning course. I work part time and I also have DS who is 2 and the only time I'm free is every fortnight when he goes childminders for the day but that's when I have to get shopping and errands done.

I am going to find it difficult but I really need to do something with my life. Has anyone had experience of being a full time student and looking after DC?

I think my concern would be that you have a history of starting courses and then not completing when you lose motivation. Losing motivation happens to everyone studying at some time, often several times. It’s hard to not give up during those times and you do need to be determined to push through them.

Would it be a better idea to get the English & Maths first and then take on another course once you’ve got those successes under your belt?

With regard to Maths, it may not just be that you haven’t pushed yourself hard enough. If you’ve got a bit of a block where Maths is concerned, you may need a different approach. How and where are you studying?

I’m surprised (shocked, really), that you were allowed to enrol on a degree course without Level 2 English and Maths. I have worked in a college which is committed to making Higher Education accessible to “non-traditional” students, so I understand about flexibility of access, but we still had entry requirements. I wouldn’t blame yourself entirely for your difficulties - I think you may have been badly advised.

I'm studying full time with a LO in day care school hours, so I have to work in the evenings too. I also work part time. It's hard.

Why don't you sign up for some of the free online courses from futureless or edx for example. Distance learning will be pretty similar but this way you can try before you buy. Some of them let you upgrade to a certificate at the end, not worth much but something to start with. At least by doing those you can see how it will fit in with your routine, and some of them are really good.

I'd get this maths and English sorted first. Anything else will just distract you.

I study part time with OU so about 20 hours a week. 3 yo goes to sleep about 8 so I sit down to work fro. 8 or 9 til 11ish most nights and in the day whilst he's at nursery mornings. It's hard and requires commitment.

Can you work once he's in bed? Is his Dad around?

FutureLearn not futureless ahhahaha

Due to Black Friday they are giving a massive discount, at least 500£ off the course and it will end Friday midnight. I have 5 years to complete it so that's plenty of time for me to do it, and with the discount I am tempted to do it now. I can buy it, complete Maths and English first then move onto the diploma. That's my aim anyway! I have completed many courses and certificates/training, so I can do it, I just need to really push myself.

what course are you hoping to study? @TimeToRevolutionize can you post link here
I am working in IT and many other mutterers too. We could help you to asses if this course is worth your time and money.
A lot of IT related stuff is elbow grease and hours spent trying to do things yourself. I would be very wary in paying for something I need to take loan for. Can you look into Apprenticeships?

@antimatter It's called Online Business School. It is an Diploma in IT and Computer course (level 4).

Link:
www.onlinebusinessschool.com/undergraduate-it-and-computing-diploma/

Any course offered in a Black Friday sale with a time limit isn’t going to be legit, is it? Respectable and trustworthy educational organisations don’t resort to those sorts of sales tactics.

I did a full time (37hrs pw) PGCE at level 7 with a two year old and a part time job. It was knackering, but doable.

I now teach fulltime, including a night class every week and I'm starting a three year Masters along side it. The two year old is now seven.

It is bloody hard doing it all, but if you want it badly enough you'll find a way.

Uh .... really wouldn’t go with a Black Friday deal on education

Check who credits the course first before commiting.

It is possible to get a sale in a course that credible but you do need to read the fine print and Google.

I did a degree as a mature student with two kids, then was pregnant with no3 as I finished it. I then did a Master's and had no4 one Thursday and graduated the following Thursday.
I then never used the degrees, had a fifth child, and have been a sahp for years, but have just finished a vocational course and have an interview tomorrow! If you want to do it, you can. It's something you are interested in, and feel motivated to do, so go for it.
Worst case scenario, you drop out or fail, best case scenario, you pass and go on to do something you like, earn money, pay the bills.

I think you need to think it through of what you really want to do.
Your ds is 2, soon will go to school. If I were you I would concentrate now on doing your Level 2 English and Maths. You need some time and clear head to do those. By doing English and Maths level 2 you will keep your doors open to doing degree at any time in the future.
If you want to enroll to do distance learning course in the subject which is new to you it will be quite hard, not impossible, but without someone who can help you when you get stuck it is very easy to feel out of your depth.
If you as you say enjoyed fixing computers have look at buying this course for £9,99, it's on sale for 3 more days www.udemy.com/comptia-a-certification-901-the-total-course/
Lots of my colleagues at work are using Udemy but there are other providers and plenty of free courses online, Coursera is most recommended if you want to get a taste of what Computer Science is like. Let me know if you want me to find some links for you.
Ultimately if you want to work as computer technician you don't need a degree but passing certification CompTIA A+ will help you to move into the right direction. You can then start volunteering and very quickly start earning money if you are dedicated. My friend did 12 months volunteering as Desktop Support for then CAB and afterwards she got full time job doing the same stuff in a small charity.
That course you linked above is more of general Computer Science intro and you don't need all of it to get a job, yes it is nice to have it, great to get that knowledge (and you will in due course) but I know plenty of people who are working in IT, they have great careers and no degrees.
You will be better off learning whilst breaking and putting together PC's and laptops and getting CompTIA A+ certifications than enrolling distance learning course like you mentioned.
If you were interested in programming I can advise you too, there are lots of free resources online. All you need is dedication.
Let me know what you think.

Thank you to everyone for your input. I have decided to focus on just maths and English like you all said, and move onto something else later on when I've got the two qualifications under my belt! Thanks again.