How do-able is this?

[JackJacksmummy]

Currently I work 20 hours a week but going to cut down to 16 in September because I will also be doing 2 days a week in a school training to be a level 3 TA.

Before getting the TA position I also applied for an open university degree which I am due to start in October.

I don't want to give up either the TA or open university and my contract with work is due to end at the end of December but could be renewed.

So between September and December I have A LOT to contend with!

I know open university is designed to be able to work around jobs and families etc but really....do you think I may be taking on too much?

I was considering quitting work by the October half term so as well as starting my degree I dont have to worry about childcare but my mum has offered to take that week out of her annual leave to have them so technically I can work until my contract ends which will be good because I'll need the money for Christmas.

If you are organised and motivated, I would probably give it a go. OU are very organised. No problem getting set books etc. If it absolutely didn't work out, you could defer the OU to the following year, but you may well not need to. I would set out a timetable, and even if you have to alter it, or 'owe' time on it, you will at least have a skeleton plan. The first weeks will be the hardest, but it will become more of a habit, and you will enjoy the mental stimulation, and getting together for tutorials etc with like-minded people.

I work 29 hours over 5 days and spend 4 hours in lectures each week.
I started last October, I had asked to work 3 days, but it wasn't granted, and it's been hard work I'll admit. All I do is study, shop, cook, clean, work and see to all ds's needs.
Having said that the first year has gone really fast, and I don't regret it.
I don't know how the OU works, but do you have any idea of how many hours you are expecting to study ? (then triple it!)

If you are going to work 16, then 2 days for your TA , leaves you a whole day for yourself! I might have worked that out wrong.
If I understand right, you will only be doing the two positions until December?
Then working 2 days TA ? ( unless your other contract is renewed)
Sorry a very long winded way to say

Answer: yes it's doable

In September I'm going to work 16 hours over 3 days, 2 days 9.30 til 2.30 and the other 9.30 -5. Thurs&fri I'll be doing TA'ing 10-4 (special school and longer hours).

The OU recommend 8 hours per week per module, I'm doing 2 modules so 16 hours (nothing wrong with my Maths )

So I guess I'll have a couple of evenings and weekends, and it will only be til december.

No day of luxury then.
Good luck I'm sure you' ll enjoy it.
I work as a TA in SEN as well btw, can I ask what course youre taking ?

The degree is an open degree - 1st year I'm doing Maths and social sciences.
The TA course is level 3 - cant remember the exact name and the details are downstairs!

Good luck with it!
I have to get down to doing some work today......