Am I letting myself down not finishing my degree

[dorisdoor]

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.

You’ve got 5 years and you’ve just started a new career which must be taking up a lot of your time and attention. I’d put it on the back burner for a year or two and then re-evaluate.

The last sentence of your post is the key.
Unless you are close to retirement age, there will be other jobs in your future and the degree might come in handy when progressing to a higher level or cinching a new job. Even if you pathway does not require a degree, if you are apply for jobs in the future and the employer has the choice between two candidates with similar skills and experience favour is likely to tip in the favour of the one with the degree. Especially since you say you have no A-levels, some proof of above the bare minimum academics is likely to come in handy at some point.

Finish it!

EVERYONE feels like this around the 2/3s point of their degree. The work kicks up a gear, and it all seems like a pointless slog. Don't sabotage yourself - keep going!