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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Am I letting myself down not finishing my degree

28 replies

dorisdoor · 13/07/2023 19:08

TL;DR, started Open University degree and got 2/3s of the way through it before starting my dream career which doesn’t require the/a degree

I have FOMO I suppose as everyone has a degree these days, I feel ‘lesser’ for not having one. I suppose I should examine why. I am interested in learning but did not enjoy my further education. I have no A-levels and embarked upon an undergraduate OU degree thinking this would better my prospects. It’s in a health and social care subject.

I completed it to Level 5/Diploma of Higher Education, and was offered to attend a graduation ceremony for this but declined as you can only attend once and I always thought I would complete the degree. Life got busy and I never did. I still have at least 5 years to pick it back up if I want, but the drive to actually study is not there. I wonder if the rest of it was a waste of time (and money).

Will I always regret this if I don’t finish it? It wouldn’t bring any relevance to my current role, it would just be to say I did it I suppose. Added benefit of having it there in case I change jobs or career pathways.

OP posts:

MachineBee · 13/07/2023 19:11

Probably. Seems daft to have spent time doing part of it. Currently you have nothing to show for your effort so far and you never know if a dream job comes floating past that is degree only.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 13/07/2023 19:13

Finish your degree! I'm 2/3 through an OU degree and know the feeling that it goes on forever. But in 2 years you will have the degree and all the hard work will have been worth it.

Canthave2manycats · 13/07/2023 19:13

Complete it. You've got this far. It may help you to progress in the future, and if not, it's an achievement. Partial completion is such a waste.

Beanie567 · 13/07/2023 19:13

Yes.

MuggleMe · 13/07/2023 19:18

If you've got the time and aren't going to burn yourself out doing both for sure finish it. It's always good to have a degree under your belt and you've done most of it.

TizerorFizz · 13/07/2023 19:23

Yes. Give it a go. You will feel very pleased with yourself when you finish it. Personal fulfilment is worth quite a lot.

TitanicWasAGreatMovie · 13/07/2023 19:24

Do it 🤩

Even if you do 30 credits here and there. The time passes anyway and you only need 60 more credits to get your degree.

I totally understand as I've a similar sense of 'ugh, what's the point in finishing this thing?'. BUT I picture myself at the OU ceremony and it motivates me to keep going!

Mum2jenny · 13/07/2023 19:25

Definitely finish the degree as you could well regret not completing it in later days

Summerslimtime · 13/07/2023 19:26

Have you posted before? Definitely complete!

Tangled123 · 13/07/2023 19:26

I would finish it. You don’t know what will happen in the future, you might get made redundant or decide to leave the job yourself by choice. The degree will help you get something else quicker.

Frabbits · 13/07/2023 19:27

I wasted 2 years on an msc, coming top of my class to boot and if I could go back I wouldn't do it again.

If the degree is not going to help your career and you are not that motivated to do it for the sake of it I would seriously consider not bothering.

Kazzyhoward · 13/07/2023 19:28

If it were me, I'd motivate myself to complete it. I can't do with wasting time on something I don't see through.

You never know what the future holds. You may want to change jobs/careers again, or rules may change in your new job that requires a degree to progress.

fuchiaknickers · 13/07/2023 19:32

Yep, keep going! Education is never a waste. I think you’re more likely to regret not finishing, than regret finishing.

TruJay · 13/07/2023 19:33

Go for it! I was so ready to give up when I had 4 months left of my degree. Lockdown happened and I had to finish it all at home/online while attempting to homeschool my two disabled children, I was broken but I dragged my arse across that finish line (with the help and encouragement of two wonderful friends) and I did it. I graduated with First Class Honours and I was/am so proud of myself. I wore that cap and gown with such pride especially with having to wait almost two years for my graduation to happen thanks to Covid.

You have completed so much of it already, you can make it to the end. One final push!

OhcantthInkofaname · 13/07/2023 19:38

I am in the US and totally believe in "life long learning". I am retired. I have several degrees and am actually enrolled in classes for another. Active learning can boost your self esteem.

nutbrownhare15 · 13/07/2023 19:40

I'd suggest giving the OU student support team a ring to see what your options are e.g. could you study something slightly different at Level 3 that you would be more interested in to get an open degree. You can also discuss your career options with them in terms of in what way your degree could be useful for the future and double check when your time runs out. I think it would be useful to get a bit more info on your position to help you with decision making.

justcross1966 · 13/07/2023 19:43

I would suggest you consider finishing it.
Ask yourself on a scale of 1-10(10 being regret), how you would feel in a years time if you didn't.

MachineBee · 14/07/2023 09:35

if you do decide not to finish for goodness sake do not put anything about studying the course on your CV. I’ve interviewed so many people that have done this and as soon it becomes apparent they didn’t finish it really diminishes their chances of progressing their application.

Topseyt123 · 14/07/2023 09:46

I wouldn't burn myself out with it if you are worried it might come to that. I'd stick with the job, but just do some general reading for interest around the degree subject. So not the degree, no exams, just learning by myself in my own time.

I'm what you might call a reluctant academic though. I did university after leaving school because it was what was more or less expected really. It didn't blow me away and I was glad to finish. I do love learning, just not necessarily academic work or exams.

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 14/07/2023 09:48

I was in a similar position to you, did my degree but was debating whether to do the dissertation to get the honours. I got some good advice here, bit the bullet and got it done. It was worth it for me, even though it wasn't strictly a necessity of my job. I'm glad to have it on my CV.

Fuckstix · 14/07/2023 10:06

Argh, lost my comment but short version: push on, you're nearly there!

You will allow yourself so many opportunities and have put most of the work in now. A degree is worth more than an interim qualification.

I did a PT masters remotely alongside FT work and was tempted to leave it at a PG diploma or whatever it's called after there was an issue with my dissertation proposal. Eventually spoke to the course leader, poured out my exhaustion with it all, we solved it, I wrote the diss and passed and am so glad I did! I didn't cover myself in glory grades wise but was long past caring. Sending solidarity and understanding but I really think you can do this.

How many modules are left, 6? Why not speak to your tutor and ask for their help in how best to arrange them? You currently have 5 years so presumably could really space them out if you wanted (although my inclination would be to get it over with as far as practicable). If you leave it, you'll have the option of less time to do them in so probably worth making a plan sooner rather than later.

Purplecatshopaholic · 14/07/2023 10:07

Defo finish it. You will most likely regret it if you don’t.

burnoutbabe · 14/07/2023 10:09

Yes I'd finish it.

A half finished degree on act looks "a red flag" -showing lack of "completer finisher" (obviously exceptions for say health issues)

2 more modules is 2 years.

And the rest of the cost spent is a waste is not finished.

HelloFreshed · 14/07/2023 10:12

I would finish the degree.

Scottishskifun · 14/07/2023 10:15

Yes I would definitely complete the degree.
Think about why you started it you don't have A levels and a lot of people have degrees now. Although you have your dream job now what happens if a promotion becomes available?

Sometimes when interviews go down to the wire in terms of scoring between 2 candidates the qualification level comes into play. It could also autosift you out of jobs just by the early computerised system!

I know they are a slog my DH did a distant learning degree and was going to give up at the same stage as it was knackering. But he did complete it after he thought about how much money he had spent on it and that degree enabled him to get a far better job 2 years later.

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