To quit work and do an OU degree?

[Agix]

I've posted about quitting work before, due to my health. I was advised by mumsnet that at the time it wasn't the best idea. Suggestion was to go part time instead, which I did.

Since then, my health has declined further. It's some life-long mental health, some physical health, and recently diagnosed neurodivergence which may explain a whole lot of it. I am in therapy on the NHS now.

My partner and I have gotten married since. His income has also increased slightly.

Hes very keen for me to quit work now and focus on taking time to get better, he says he doesn't want to see me so unwell and with no life anymore, and just carrying on like this. He says he thinks it'll just keep getting worse if nothing changes, and I can't say I think he's wrong. I went part time, and things are still getting worse. I feel I can't catch up, nothing is getting fixed.

He is extremely keen for me to get a degree when I told him I wanted to, I never got the chance when I was younger, and I'd love to do it too. He says I deserve the opportunity and believes I'd do well.

With his take home pay, we have around £300 a month left over after current expenses.. Perhaps more when we cut and reduce the unnecessary expenses (subscriptions, etc). We have around £10k savings. So it'll be tight... But doesnt everyone have to struggle to get anywhere? He says getting further raises is not out of the question for him either. No kids, just a cat. No kids on the horizon.

I'm scared with the drop in income, my take home is low but we live well and securely now due to it, but coming round to the idea for the sake of bettering myself . I don't think current work is sustainable anyway, I'm not performing well anymore with the impact of my health. Reasonable adjustments havnt worked. Losing this job isn't off the table...

I think quitting work, and doing an OU course (Law) would be great for me. I get some time off work before course starts, can manage my own time during, learn from home, attending therapy, and have a goal so I'm not rotting... And hopefully new, better footing to re-enter the work force when I am able. Re-calibrate for 3-4 years.

Is it entirely stupid to be on the verge of doing this?

YABU - don't do it.

YANBU - do it, it could work out for the best (obviously with effort from me).

I think if you don’t try you won’t ever know. My husband has a degree in Economics and then worked in IT for 30 years and started a part time OU degree 4 years ok, it’s hard on his time as he went part time to do it / but he loves history! So yes do it, have you done a degree before?

My daughter is doing an OU degree alongside work, and absolutely loves it. The learning materials are fantastic. I think most people who do an OU degree feel the teaching is excellent.

All that said, if I was you I'd still want some part time work, maybe in a job that was less stressful? It's awful not to have any income of your own.

Are you on receipt of any benefits for your disabilities?

Law is quite a full on degree if you struggled with part time work due to your health are you sure a big commitment to studying is the best idea. You are the one best to judge what you can manage. Personally I wouldn’t risk financial insecurity.

How old are you op?

It could definitely work if you are determined enough, OU study takes a lot of dedication, especially with something as heavy as Law.
I think you need a firm plan about what you will do afterwards, having a degree may open opportunities for you, but to do what? Do you want to be a solicitor?
Also consider what happens if you don’t feel well enough to re enter the world of work after your studies finish?
Is there a way to get a new part time job which supports a qualification alongside it?

Law might not be great if you're looking for work using it. AI has taken over many of the roles usually done by the junior staff.

How are you going to pay for the OU course? When I did it, fees were £2000 a term.

I’d certainly have a go at doing the OU degree especially if it would help potentially with jobs in the future. Is there maybe a less stressful job you could do some hours in alongside your degree?

Whereas I’ve just finished one and thought the post-Covid approach was severely lacking.

To answer multiple posts:

I have never done a degree before, this would be my first.

I am currently in receipt of PIP.

I am worried about Law being full on, but at the same time I'm wondering whether I'd fare better being able to manage my own time - with the support of the therapy I'm now in. I managed to work full time for a long time, until things came crashing down after some major life events. I do worry, but my gut says I could manage the learning from home better than this whilst pursuing better health. Maybe I'm being silly though, which is my worry.

I definitely couldn't work and study at the same time, even part time both. Else I'd be doing that instead.

If not now, when? I let this bug me and bug me and ended up doing my degree in my forties, wish I’d done it years ago. OU have some good finance options as well and you may get a grant depending on your situation.

Are you well enough to try an OU short course before you leave? It might give you an idea of if you enjoy thst style of learning. I did one that gave me 10 or 20 credits to a degree(which i didnt go on to do) but the course was good.

I understand if your health won't let you.

Student loans cover it, I thought? I've never done or degree or had a student loan before.

Go for it. I think it would be the right thing to do. You can work on the degree at your own pace and will have something really positive to focus on while you recover.

I am an OU tutor and I think it’s an incredible uni, the materials are amazing and the Uni very supportive.

It sounds like the break from work is just what you need.

How old are you op?

do you ever intend to have children?

I'd come back to the sector I'm in now, just hopefully more capable, with better roles open to me. I work in the charity sector, currently. I can't say it's a solid plan, but it's the plan.

No idea what I'd do if I'm still not well enough by then.

These are the questions I need to help me think through it, thank you.

And how will you repay the student loan?

If you find you feel like you can never catch up at work then I'm not sure doing independent study is a great idea.

What is your longer term plan? Are you thinking of becoming a solicitor/barrister or just doing law for interest?

Are your health issues temporary?

I'm 36. We don't intend to have children... I don't think I'd be a good mum with my health as it is, I wouldn't cope well so it's off the table (other people with my health conditions make fantastic mums, but the way I'm impacted, I don't think I would sadly).

My friend did a law degree and found it exceptionally stressful. The workload was higher than any other degreee out of our very varied friendship group. Far worse than the medicine students even. The mental health impact was massive.

Why is it law you are interested in? Do you have a realistic idea of end result careers?

How old are you?

Well the OP will either go back to work and pay it like the rest of us out of her salary or won’t go back to work and won’t pay it.

Spending most of the day at home with no colleagues or work engagement…. Would that be healthy for your mental health illness(es)?

Not stupid at all! You have a supportive husband and it sounds like you can't go on in your current job much longer. Money may be tight for a while, but it sounds like it will be worth it for your health.