Haven't studied for 25 years - need to start using my brain again! Which type of course should I go for?

[Misspiggy]

I work full time and have 2 DSs 16 and 10 (plus DH!) but recently have felt the need to improve my education and really find something to get my teeth into. It would be more for enjoyment and to see if I can cope with studying again rather than aiming towards a particular qualification atm. I left school at 16 with 6 GCEs (remember them?!)and could have gone on to do A levels etc but chose not to and I suppose I'm regretting it now. Should I do an A level at evening classes, a foundation course with the Open University - any advice you can give would be great. TIA

I believe there are courses specifically to prepare people who have been out of education for a while...will have a look!

Access I would say. there's lots of people on here including myself who have done them. they are available either through Universities or FE colleges (mine was FE college). They cover all the geting back into study stuff and expect you to be out of practice. They're also adult only, no 16 year olds.

Mine was excellent- got me into all 6 Universities I appluied (including one fairly prestigious one) and my tutor tells me that she expects Access students to do well.

I recommend the OU - I'm on my second OU course now (doing a Social Sciences degree) and it has been a fantastic experience

I think the OU is fantastic but if you are looking for some peer support with other learners, a local FE college will provide that more readily.
I would also double-check your employer's policies on time off for study. You never know, if you are planning on something at all relevant to your job, you could convince them to fund you/give you some study leave...

the ou is great, but don't you think it would be a bit of a shock to MissPiggy's system, sd? It's quite hard work and high level even at the beginning. It's also very hard to get motivated by distance learning if you're not used to studying.

I think a gcse or as level at evening class would be a better start, orr better still an access course at your local college (I think some places even do pre-access courses now). the other students really help to egg you on. that would be in the daytime thoug - don't know if that suits.

what was your other degree, sd?

mm well the OU offers "Openings" courses which are worth 10 points and provide a reasonably unthreatening path into HE and a chance to try out different subject areas

The Level 1 courses - which provide a broad-based introduction to your chosen area (humanities, science, social sciences etc) are harder work and have quite a steep learning curve in the second half of the course. I would opt for one of those if you know what you want to do and are willing to commit a sizeable chunk of time over a 9 month period.

As for the peer support - undoubtedly an evening class would give you more face to face contact with other students, but with the OU you do get fortnightly tutorials and access to their online conferencing system which is, dare I say it, even more addictive and brilliant than mn!

oh ok. it was the level one courses I was thinking of.

Misspiggy, and if you get bitten by the bug, there are some wonderful places around the UK to take it a bit further...Birkbeck in London, Lucy Cavendish in Cambridge, Ruskin in Oxford - all specially tailored to the mature student

SD, I had to bodily remove a colleague from his OU portal on many an occasion. He was hooked and it looked fantastic...

lol marina, I can quite believe it!

oh I forgot to add that the OUSA (students assoc) local branches organize social events which you can get involved in too, so studying with the OU needn't be a socially isolating experience

I liked OU but after kids found it hard

think OU and Access both excellent, just have to work out which suits you best

I've never done an Access course but they look v good, however I'd have thought it's similar to doing the level 1 OU course in that you'd need to know roughly what you were aiming for at the end of it, and it must involve quite a big time commitment?

I'm sure I've heard of pre-Access courses somewhere or other, that might be an idea

Mine was part time over two years, exactly how much you took on the first year was up to you, as long as you remembered that you would have to get the rst of the credits in the second year, iyswim. It may vary! You can also carry across any existing credits for maths, english and science- I could skkip Science and English for that reason. So I did all day thursday, two hours on a Tuesday and two on a Wednesday and finished in a year.

I also managed to change direction in the middle of the year- I went from planning a B-Ed to a BA in an academic-ish subject (religion).

I absolutely loved my year with the OU, and did OK. The second year though I couldn't get it in my head, as I was runninga round after a sleepless baby (who we noe know is SN). I preferred the friendly atmosphere and get-you-out-of-the-house aspect of Access, but I couldn't do a lot of the OU due to Dh's shifts / hyperemesis / pre-eclampsia (great year that LOL) tutorials so that might explain that preference. The Access was great though, and I did feel the collge routines etc prepared me for Higher Ed and I'm doing OK now.

I think different people have differing learning syles. if you are well motivated yourself and fancy studying in the 'gaps' with no childcare concerns, then OU is for you. If like me in the end you've got too many distractions at home and fare better with the on tap support and also tutor pressure for deadlines, then go for Access. Or better still, go see them fuor a chat and order the OU brochure and see which suits you best.

Thanks so much for all your replies! Must admit that on reflection I think initially I'd need the discipline of actually going to classes rather than the OU (I started doing the ECDL from home and never "got round" to doing it in the evenings but had no problem at all doing it in the Education Centre at work as I had learning sessions booked and that made me go along) I have looked at our local FE college website and they have a few Open Days coming up so at least I have a rough idea of what I need to do to get back into the swing of studying. There is an access to Humanities and Social Sciences course that looks like a possibility but it is 2 evenings a week from 6.15 to 9.30 so a fairly heavy commitment but I'll see what they say at Open Day. Thanks again everyone - good old MN!!

If you are crap at actually getting things done like me then an actual class at college might be best. What about the ECDL at a weekly evening class.

Hi, I'm doing a Foundation Degree in Business its 2 years at local college and then 2 years at university to give an honours degree. I'm 12 years out of school and thought I'd never do it with a toddler and full time job. I've done 6 months now and its so fantastic to be a mature student, you are focussed, you do the work and you feel so great afterwards. I go 1 night a week 3-9pm and its lots of assignments to prepare but worth it. Have a look on the web for subjects covered. Good luck

You could try first a WEA course. They do really interesting topics though the clientele are mainly retired people. No exams, but often very good lecturers/teachers.

most of those I knew doing a uni course as mature students (where mature means over 30 not over 21), did access courses even if they had done A levels many years previously (to get them back into education again). They all highly recommended them.

I have just finished my first year of an Access programme and feel great. I have studied my core subjects (maths, english & I.T) and passed those, I feel chuffed because I was incapable of using a computer confidently and I was even worse at maths!

I left school 8 years ago, I also have a five year old son and so his school time fits in around me studying the Access programme part time. College times which are: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, all 9:30-11:30.

In September I will begin the term doing my option courses which I can't wait for! I know it wont be easy, but it's the rewarding feeling at the end of it!

I'm not sure what higher education option I am going to take yet as I need to be able to take and collect my son from school. I am determined I will get there!

I figured if I keep on track and work hard in four years I can say I have the career I have earned ( I want to go into social work).

Good Luck!

well done on your acheivements

do research on internet, email local Uni/college, ask around for advice

good luck