AIBU to think I can / should do this?

[covetingthepreciousthings]

AIBU to want to try get a degree?

In the past few months I've been looking into the Open University, and think I want to pursue a degree (part time basis).

Bearing in mind, I'm now in my early thirties, haven't done any form of education since spectacularly failing at AS levels. I did complete my GCSEs though (1 B, mostly C's & Maths was a D, so not too terrible).

I work in a min wage job, part time basis, with 2 primary school aged children.
DH is supportive & wants me to do this, if it's what I want to do.

I've just been feeling in a massive rut over recent years, I feel like I need to do something to boost my confidence and make me believe I can actually do something & achieve something.

I feel like if I can do this, I'd be massively proud of myself & gain some self confidence, I don't really have an end goal apart from just trying to complete a degree. I just feel like when I was a teenager, I was always told that I wouldn't be good enough to do certain jobs & I just really want to achieve something now. Even writing this is making me well up, as i just feel useless I don't even want to tell anyone bar my DH that I'm considering applying as I think I'll just have my hopes torn down.

Has anyone done a degree with The OU? Would you recommend it? Has it changed your life for the better & opened more doors?

I'm looking at doing the access module first to see how I get on, and then hopefully apply to do a degree after in Business Management & marketing (my current career has been in retail, so I feel this would compliment this & my experience).

I have a friend who is doing a degree via OU and is planning as Masters afterwards. He’s very complimentary about it and has found it great.

The only thing I’d say is ensure you choose a degree that means something to you - either because you like the subject or because it gives you a clearly defined career path.

I know too many wannabe accountants who did a degree in Accounting and Finance which was nearly useless and a waste of time and money.

I think it’s a good idea and you’re still young enough to have a full and exciting career so go for it!

Not unreasonable at all. I did an access course with the OU (People, Work and Society) and really enjoyed it. It boosted my confidence too and I've done another vocational course since with another supplier. I'm about to start another with a view to boosting my career. A colleague has done a degree and has almost finished a meters with the OU and speaks highly of it. Go for it!

*Masters!

I would say any type of qualification should be done either as a special interest or to start/help with a career path. So consider carefully what you want to study otherwise you'll be 3/4 years down the line with a degree but still in the same job and no further forward.

But, good on you for wanting to do this and thinking seriously before you start. My husband did his engineering degree with the OU, it was hard and he hated the lack of face to face tutor involvement. Whereas I'm looking at doing my level 4 AAT course as distance because I pretty much did the level 3 at home anyway due to timetabling and missing a few classes of one of the modules.

go to local "red brick " uni - get an appointment with careers advice & discuss options & ideas with THEIR courses (you don't have to go there but you can - most unis do part time & full time means you can get loans etc - let them explain that - remember you don't have to start to pay back unless you earn enough) You can than go back to OU if you choose to & do the course (or similar) through them.

I absolutely would encourage you to reach out and do something you want to.
I do wonder if studying through the open university is the best way to start though, given how long it is since you've studied, and given it was only to GCSE level ? I know people who have enjoyed studying through OU, but they have been people with degrees then going on to do a second degree, or people who had continued to study various things since leaving school.
Would you not get more help and encouragement by attending college somewhere local to you, and perhaps doing some sort of access course first, to see how you get back into studying ?

Thanks everyone for your advice so far, really appreciate it

Would you not get more help and encouragement by attending college somewhere local to you, and perhaps doing some sort of access course first, to see how you get back into studying ?

This is why I'd aim to do the access course with the OU first before jumping into a degree with them. To check that I am capable of managing it.

Unfortunately local colleges, or red brick unis are out of the question as I can neither afford the time of travel it would take to get to one nor the transport costs

Not unreasonable at all. I did an access course with the OU (People, Work and Society) and really enjoyed it. It boosted my confidence too

Do you mind me access if you had any A levels before doing this? Glad to hear you enjoyed it though.

I agree that distance learning is hard, and to be honest, you will ENJOY studying at a university a lot more if you physically go, meet other students, join in tutorial discussions, etc. Its a great experience, and I think you would really benefit from it.

But also, go and look up the courses, ALL the courses. You will hopefully find something you love, but will lead towards a career as well. You could do accounting, computer programming, gemology, criminology, education, fashion, etc, etc, etc. There is a huge number of courses to choose from.

I think it is great and go for it . I wish you well.
I did a few O levels in my 40s as had missed out on a proper education. I only wish I could have went to uni and things turned out different.

Definitely do an access course.

Degrees are really hard work and a specific type of study/essay skill that need practise. You've had a long break since studying and GCSEs and even a levels are very different.

Maybe you'll love studying, but it was very much means to an end for me and I'd never have stuck at it if it wasn't related to a career goal. It can be quite a slog.

Sorry I sound so negative but I think you need to work out what you want at the end of it, and play to your strengths. It will take a lot of work and sacrifice from a young family and you want to make sure it's worth something for you at the end. Lots of people have degrees these days and they don't always give you the options you hope for unless do your research.

I have done a degree with the OU and I'm on my second - Degree in Engineering - I am 53.

The OU have supported me fabulously, I suffer from serious depression and they have bent over backwards to help me. This is a life change for me, as my autistic son is 14 and I will soon be able to focus more on getting full time work as he becomes more self-reliant.

OU degrees are brilliant, you are never too old for them (my mum is doing one at the age of 84) and they make you feel good. There is an unbelievable amount of support, phone them, tell them your situation and they will find a way to help you.

Go with it, OP, you will never regret it. BTW you can get a student loan to pay the costs as well.

Good luck in whatever you do

Sorry I sound so negative but I think you need to work out what you want at the end of it, and play to your strengths. It will take a lot of work and sacrifice from a young family and you want to make sure it's worth something for you at the end. Lots of people have degrees these days and they don't always give you the options you hope for unless do your research.

Thanks for this, don't worry about being negative. All opinions are welcome.

This is what my Dh has said as well, that he thinks it would be wise to have an end goal. Honestly I don't know what that would be though, I just want to achieve something. Even if it didn't land me a dream job, I'd feel like I would get self satisfaction & feeling of accomplishment.

Maybe after an access course I would have more of an idea what I would like to do though.

I decided to go back into education and went down the route of access course then onto a full time business and hr management course. It's not easy and I can't imagine doing it as a distance option, however im really happy I took the step to do it and I'll graduate in June next year. I found the peer support to be excellent to get through assignments. If you have the determination to work hard for four years, go for it

I did an Open degree with the OU when DC were younger, starting when I was a SAHM and finishing when I was working pt. It took me 7 years, but I just focussed on one module at a time. I didn't have any A levels as I left school at 16 with a handful of mediocre GCSES as I never really tried very hard at school. I started with a level 1 module (which are designed to work as access modules anyway) and all was fine. I got a First.

I've found it really helpful. It didn't relate specifically to a particular path and still doesn't. But it looks good on my CV, not just because it's a good qualification, but it shows I'm hard-working, motivated and successfully combined studies with raising a family. And it definitely improved my education level, on paper of course, but in reality too. I gained so many skills I apply every day.

Reading your OP again I can't think of any reason not to do it tbh. Even if it doesn't open any specific doors academically (though it likely will), the confidence it'll give you in your abilities will give you the courage to apply for things you wouldn't have thought of before. Go for it!

@chicaguapa Thank you & massive well done to you for getting a first!! That's great to hear.

Even if it doesn't open any specific doors academically (though it likely will), the confidence it'll give you in your abilities will give you the courage to apply for things you wouldn't have thought of before.

This is exactly what I hope for.

Do you mind me access if you had any A levels before doing this? Glad to hear you enjoyed it though.

I did 2 A levels and failed and a City and Guilds which I passed with distinction. The Higher Education advisor at college looked at my GCSE results and told me I should never have been allowed to do A Levels. I was already having a rough time at home (which contributed to the poor results) and that remark pretty much shattered my tiny amount of remaining confidence. I didn't do the OU course until I was over 40.