This sounds really wanky - but help me with my obsession re. getting a first (think I am a tw*t)

[hmc]

I already have a couple of degrees (don't know why I feel I have to say that, I think I am an intellectual snob and don't want anyone to think this is my first degree because I couldn't cut it at school ...why am I like this???)

Anyways - am currently doing OU History degree (started in Feb) - to keep my mind ticking over and something for me (as a SAHM - because...so easily... you can loose your sense of self)

Have done level 1 module and am awaiting result ...but it is only level 2 and level 3 courses which count toward degree classification. For some reason am obsessed with getting a first (got 2:1 in my first degree). All good so far - first three assignments for my first level 2 course have achieved the required 85%+...but this doesn't come easily, I literally sweat blood to get these marks

So, everybody else on the course forum just wants a pass and I am having kittens over every assignment and forthcoming exam desperate to maintain 85% plus. Next assignment due on 14 August but kids break up from school next Wednesday....am mega stressed as I can see my mark for next assignment suffering (no time - pushy ankle biters). Being mean and intolerant to children atm as I want to study

Help me get some perspective. I keep saying to myself - you are doing this for 'fun' and yet you are making a meal of it...but am still obsessing

Am causing my own pressure. How do I persuade myself that it doesn't matter if I don't get a first?

Sorry a bit pissed and sound like a prat - but genuinely, this issue (as trivial as it may sound) is causing me grief - am not looking forward to school summer holidays because of it

[ihavenosecrets]

You can use Tesco clubcard points. I'm starting off with a 10 point course which was just over £100 (I put it on the credit card) . I'm hoping that by the time I get onto the more expensive modules I will have accrued some clubcard points to pay towards it.

The OU is good value compared to traditional universities. The tuition fees are over £3k a year now for full time study.

[hmc]

Some really interesting and thoughtful posts - thanks for sharing your experiences and advice. I shall be returning to this thread to read it again and ponder over some of your suggestions...

I'm a bit driven because at the back of my mind I quite fancy being an OU tutor in history (clearly long term plan - will need to do post grad qualification in History after this degree etc) and so I need to maintain high standards.

Although I do apply myself quite well, I am sure I could manage my time better ..and this has to be part of the solution....that, and reminding myself that other parts of life are a priority too (i.e. children, dh and friends). Honeypuck - think you are probably right about more pressure on time = more focussed.

Thanks again all - really helpful

(Hi CD, I'm good thanks. Nice to know you've missed me seeing me around so much . I hope all is well with you and yours?)

[Katisha]

What are you original degrees in? Is it not possible to use the ones you already have for tutoring purposes?

[hmc]

Probably Katisha, but I am not interested in them - whereas I enjoy history a great deal. They were (i) Politics and (ii) a Masters in Business Administration (MBA)

[Bumperslucious]

See now HMC I did Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience but I would like to do Politics or International Relations

[Katisha]

Sounds like you really want to stay in the groves of academe by hook or by crook! I was an eternal student for a while - first degree, MA, PGCE, then some time later another two-year diploma in an unrelated subject... Although that did get me into a career change by a rather circuitous route.

As well as postgrad history would you also have to do some sort of teaching qualification? This could run and run!

[Niecie]

This is the OU's tutor job vacancy page - here Just in case anybody is interested.

For at least some of the courses you don't need a post-grad qualification. They might favour candidates with some teaching experience but it is not a requirement as such.

They also don't require a teaching qualification. Apparently they send you on a short course before you start. You don't have to teach I suppose - it is more a supportive role. The course materials do the bulk of the teaching.

I was toying with applying to tutor the very short 'Opener' course which are little better than A levels - seemed like a good place to start. Looks like all the vacancies have been filled in psych. for now but they definitely don't require post-grad qualifications.

[madwomanintheattic]

that's fascinating...



now look what you've made me do - not only do i have this blooming msc to finish, but now i'm utterly torn between the phd app, finishing the other ma i started because i have spare merit level credits, or applying to be an ou tutor...

gah.

[Niecie]

Ah but you see, the OU jobs are only part time.......

I'm sure you could squeeze it in.

And lot of students at 'normal' universities doing a PHd also teach to earn a few quid.

[kathyis6incheshigh]

The dept where I work is not OU but does do a lot of distance learning, and we have had several people who very successfully combined the roles of distance learning tutor and PhD student.

They both feed into each other anyway - doing the tutoring helps you develop your ability & confidence in critically assessing work and expressing yourself regarding it.

[madwomanintheattic]

don't encourage me!

this is definitely worth Further Consideration.

anyone know if they are keener to employ you if you are doing phd through OU? i'm still mulling over where to apply as current department potentially not ideal from a subject pov... i hadn't really considered OU...

[madwomanintheattic]

[Fennel]

I know people doing PhDs with the OU, while doing teaching for them too. In my subject area they have some excellent and very well known tutors/supervisors.

Distance phds with children can be quite hard though, a lot of people start them and give up finding they just don't have the time, over a number of years, especially if they have to work as well.

[madwomanintheattic]

how often do you have to fetch up in milton keynes? kids are at school and from september i'm going week on/ week off on part time hours

... i've been trying to study up to the point that i can drop the other work and look for tutoring opportunities - i'm nearly there lol and the OU thing looks very interesting... if it was an option it might help with the 'where to apply' conundrum...

[fluffles]

this thread is great - we're all so clearly crazy

i am doing an OU course in prep for an MSc starting in September, i already have a BSc and MSc in other subjects.

i am finding i'm a bit of a perfectionist but NOT in terms of marks (although tmas have all been 80-89%) but in terms of doing it 'properly'.

i really want to learn the subject so i'm reading EVERYTHING - even when we were told that four of the topics were not going to be examinable i just couldn't bring myself to skip them

[Katisha]

One of my anxiety dreams is that I am about to do an exam that I have done no work for, but the worst thing is that I have no idea why I am doing the course...

[madwomanintheattic]

i still have anxiety dreams about my 'a' levels lol. i'm 38. and i did pass them. i always wake up terrified i'm going to fail and dreading my results, and then it gradually dawns on me i took them 20 years ago...

i can't believe i admitted that.

[Fennel]

My friend I know best who's doing it goes about once a month, she struggles with childcare for this as Milton Keynes is a long way from here. She goes to a research group at a local uni because she was feeling too isolated - that's how I know her.

You need to think about feasibility of going to MK fairly often, also about isolation, lack of other students to chat to.

[ihavenosecrets]

I do that madwomanintheattic. I dream that I am about to sit my GCSE examinations and I haven't studied at all. When I wake up and realise that I am 36 it feels strangely depressing.

My senior school years were a waste of time for me and although I have since passed other qualifications and am about to embark on an OU course I have no idea of my true ability. I will soon find out!

[Molesworth]

That's interesting about the OU PhD: I thought you had to live in the vicinity of Milton Keynes!

[madwomanintheattic]

i'm sure it won't alter their demographic too much, but it might raise a few eyebrows to receive quite so many speculative enquiries in one afternoon lol...

[hatwoman]

just in case it interests people - dh is starting a distance-learning msc at Loughborough in the autumn - done by module, paid for a module at a time, done over pretty much whatever period you fancy. and no need to go to Loughborough at all. (unless he's been telling me porkies...)

[kathyis6incheshigh]

LOL Hatwoman, ours don't have to come to the campus but we always lure them. We make our seminars impossible to resist.

[hockeypuck]

hatwoman - My DH has just finished his MSc at Loughborough. He did it whilst working full time and by distance learning. It was pretty good actually because they sent him a decent file of course materials for each module and he worked through them. He did have to go to Loughborough roughly once each semester though to do his exams - but I guess not all modules are exam based and you could choose ones that were coursework for some masters I think. He certainly had better course materials from them than I have had for my MSc at a "Russell Group" (note poncetastic saying that I learned from mumsnet). However, the support I've had from the tutors face to face for my MSc has been invaluable and I really don't think I could have managed without it.

It's horses for courses really, but I'm glad I am not doing distance learning as I like feeling part of the department and popping in when I need to see someone.

I am very tempted by the OU tutoring in crime and justice though - the new position. However, for the first year of the PhD (ESRC funded) I have to do an MSc in research methods which will be very much full time hours, so I think taking on tutoring this year would be a mistake. I'll definitely consider it for next year though so thank you for the link. I gather from other PhD students though that you can get as much lecturing/tutoring/marking as you can manage in years 1 and 2 of the actual PhD, so that's good cash too.

[hmc]

Well I am very pleased to have been of assistance - in opening up the idea of OU tutoring to so many of you as a potential job opportunity!

Seriously though, it's a very flexible role and compatible with family life - isn't it!