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Mature study and retraining

Talk to other Mumsnetters who are considering a career change or are mature students.

Original poster

OU Student Chat and Support Thread

14 replies

LollipopViolet · 16/10/2023 20:09

Hello, just popping a thread on as I know lots of people study with the OU and thought it would be nice to have somewhere to chat, vent, panic, celebrate, all the emotions that come with studying! Grin

I'm studying Law, starting with W111 and enjoying it so far. Finding the workload OK but we have only just started so that may well change! Although I suspect this will be a LOT easier than my postgraduate module was!

OP posts:
ouimp · 18/10/2023 19:11

I've enrolled on a tech module but thinking about cancelling. I already feel out of my depth just reading the other student intros on the module forum!

Rocknrollstar · 18/10/2023 19:36

Don’t let the other students put you off. They are probably inflating their descriptions of themselves.

ouimp · 18/10/2023 21:10

I really hope so. I wasn't expecting to be on a course with people who already have decades of experience in the subject.

Inkypot · 18/10/2023 21:17

ouimp · 18/10/2023 21:10

I really hope so. I wasn't expecting to be on a course with people who already have decades of experience in the subject.

Hi, sorry to jump on. I didn't study with the OU but I did do a degree remotely during lockdown! I felt the same way when other students starting spouting forth about their many years of experience in the area we were studying. I felt so out of my depth and like everyone else must be way more capable than me. I very nearly walked away because of this.
But I stuck it out to set an example for my children, to show that it's never too late to gain an education and chase your dreams.
And you know what? I am so glad I did! Some of the apparently experienced students ended up leaving halfway through, some ended up being incredibly supportive and became good friends to me, and I ended up graduating and am now working in my chosen field and loving it!
Please don't give up because other people can express themselves in a certain way. I'm sure you will do great! Good luck ❤️

ouimp · 18/10/2023 21:29

Thank you @Inkypot that's really encouraging! I'm glad it worked out so well for you, that's such a great achievement (especially as you were dealing with lockdown too!).

Inkypot · 18/10/2023 21:43

ouimp · 18/10/2023 21:29

Thank you @Inkypot that's really encouraging! I'm glad it worked out so well for you, that's such a great achievement (especially as you were dealing with lockdown too!).

Thank you! I nearly quit it all so many times but kept giving myself "one more month" to see and then somehow it was only one more month left and I could see the finish line. You will get there too, you will be so proud of yourself

Original poster
LollipopViolet · 20/10/2023 22:09

Don't give up @ouimp I was the same when I did my postgrad module last year. I pushed through and although it wasn't a good pass, I passed!

If you're doing a level 1 module your materials are designed to take you from 0 experience. I'm finding with my law degree that some of this module is stuff I've encountered at work, but I had a tutorial tonight and being around other students made me look at some things with a different perspective, so even those with experience have more to learn.

OP posts:
Soccermumamir · 23/10/2023 11:39

Hi,
I'm currently studying with the OU. Completed my 1st module in June and I'm currently on a study break, but looking to sign up for my 2nd module in February 🙂

Tumbleweed101 · 03/12/2023 15:23

I'm seriously considering starting a course in Feb. It will mean cutting down my work hours by at least half though. Is there any financial support for single parents towards living costs? This will be my first degree although I have done a L5 NVQ. It's that or completely change my job anyway but this would give me better prospects in the next few years.

loudbatperson · 03/12/2023 15:26

Hello! I am currently studying my penultimate module for a BSc Hons (natural science)

ouimp · 05/12/2023 20:34

Tumbleweed101 · 03/12/2023 15:23

I'm seriously considering starting a course in Feb. It will mean cutting down my work hours by at least half though. Is there any financial support for single parents towards living costs? This will be my first degree although I have done a L5 NVQ. It's that or completely change my job anyway but this would give me better prospects in the next few years.

@Tumbleweed101 You can check here https://www.gov.uk/get-undergraduate-student-loan

Get undergraduate student finance: step by step - GOV.UK

Check if you're eligible for a student loan, find out how much you can get, how to apply and when you start repaying.

https://www.gov.uk/get-undergraduate-student-loan

Tumbleweed101 · 10/12/2023 09:42

So I have applied and doing a 60pt unit from Feb. I could get a loan for the degree which is great but no support for living costs so I will have to take it more slowly but it means I won’t need to drop hours at work.

ouimp · 10/12/2023 22:24

That's good that you've found a way forward. Is that February to October?

I've gone in the opposite direction and withdrawn from my module.

Original poster
LollipopViolet · 12/12/2023 17:54

Goodness it's been a while since I've posted here! I hope everyone studying is finding it OK.

I did my first iCMA and TMA and so far am really proud of myself! I got 100% on the iCMA and just picked up my TMA results to find I scored 77. The feedback I was given is really useful and I've saved it all in a little folder to look at again when I'm writing the next one.

I actually found the TMA really tough - 500 word limit and the law school uses absolute word limits so I couldn't go over! I'm used to having at least double that to play with!

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