Hats off to you if you just finished a degree!

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Anyone else just done their last exam, EMA, assignment, dissertation or whatever, for a degree in later life?

Last night I submitted my last paper for my Open University degree after six years of cramming my studies around work and family life, with zero interest from anyone at home, so I'd like to say a massive 'well done' to anyone else who's done the same and fancies some mutual back-slapping.

Well done!

I submitted my EMA for my last OU course last Thursday. It's for a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing which I started in 2008 when my youngest was just a few months old. I ended up having some big gaps between courses as I looked after the kids so I can't quite believe I've finished it now.

Wow, that is some journey you've taken! Congratulations - you've shown amazing staying power and commitment to get this far.

Well done to you both. I did a certificate in transportation and logistics when my kids were still in school. I managed two courses per semester, which was enough, and felt a real sense of accomplishment when complete. Going back to school as an adult is tough work, what with all the 'adulting' needing to be done!

Thanks! I was so close to giving up many times and the last few years were quite stressful as I had to finish it by October this year so any failed courses would have meant I'd have had to double up. I have a lot of health issues and my now 16yo has had mental health struggles so quite a few times I was throwing TMAs together with just minutes to spare. I had mostly really supportive tutors which definitely helped a lot.

I do have a plan of what I'm doing next but I'm waiting until I get my results so I feel a bit lost with what to do in the meantime. I should really do something productive like clear out the loft but at the moment I'm enjoying the downtime.

It's amazing how much 'life' gets in the way at crucial times, isn't it? Good work, two courses per semester is hardcore.

Hmm. Clearing out the loft sounds like the kind of things I suddenly found myself desperate to do whenever a TMA was due in... The guilt-free downtime suddenly feels so strange!

You should feel really bloody proud of yourself for what you've achieved, given everything else you've had to prioritise. Whatever your results, you've done brilliantly just to complete the course. I have a feeling you've scored yourself a decent degree as well. Come late July, I shall raise a glass to you, too.

Oh the number of new shows on Netflix I felt I had to binge when I had a TMA due was crazy. 🙈 DH would also come home from work and find me deep cleaning the kitchen and ask when the next TMA was due. 🤣

He's actually not long started a degree himself, also with the OU. He's doing it around work at the moment but we're hoping he can cut some hours back once I'm earning so he'll have more time to put towards the degree. It's been quite a struggle for him as he's doing 30pt courses so he'll start one in February and then the next in October and at some points he's got courses crossing over which is a lot around his job so he's going to take a small break once the current one is done.

I love that you've both been/have started studying. At least your DH knows what it means when he gets the urge to clean all the skirting boards/dig up the patio/ renovate the kitchen/learn to play the bassoon... TMA time!

Which degree did you do? And did it inspire DH to take up studying (aka procrastinating)?

I finished my OU degree last year and have my degree ceremony later today.

Started the degree after not finishing my last one as pregnant with DD, started it when she was 6 finished it when she was 13. Single parent, she's autistic although pretty self sufficient. Was working as a TA at the start of the degree, was asked to take on a some unqualified teaching hours in my degree subject part way through as the department couldn't recruit, ended up full time teaching (and all the extras that go with it, to fill the recruitment void) whilst doing the degree, then COVID and the chaos of online teaching, then back to school and teaching my own lessons and filling in for teacher absences too whilst still doing my degree. Decided after all that I didn't want to go in to teaching properly but have moved into another industry related to my degree.

I feel a bit silly going to my degree ceremony as had the certificate a while and annoyed I was 1% from a 2:1 but got a 2:2 instead. I probably could have gotten much higher had I not had the teaching and COVID chaos to contend with but DD and my mum are both keen so I shall be all gowned up in 12 hours time!

Mine was a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing.

I think seeing how flexible it was helped tempt DH into it but he'd been considering it for a while. His one is Cyber Security or something like that. He went straight into the RAF from school then since leaving there he's been in transport so he wants a big career change and something that doesn't require being around the public so much anymore.

I'm planning on going into editing. I've already worked on a few short stories and novellas so that spurred me to go finish my degree. I also want to do some writing myself. This last course was Advanced Creative Writing and one TMA was turning a short story we wrote into a script, my tutor actually suggested that it would make a great 6 part murder mystery so I'm going to play with that for a bit. I might start on that before my results are in as I know I'll get bored of doing nothing before long.

What was your degree?

Congratulations! I hope you have a lovely day at your graduation. You've done brilliantly to get it while working around everything else as well.

You should not feel at all silly about going to the graduation ceremony! I hope you have the most wonderful day and feel very proud of yourself.

@Tarkan how fab that your degree has given you the basis of some great writing ideas! I've worked in editing in the past and it's been one of my most enjoyable jobs. My degree is politics and history, but I've done it for the satisfaction of it rather than a career change as such, although I feel like it's given me some fresh impetus to look at what I can do next.

I submitted 2 EMAs on Wednesday.

5 years, 9 modules, and a shit load tears.

The ceremony was nice, weather shocking for June, very windy which was playing havoc with people's hair, gowns and for some their frocks too and quite a bit of waiting around.

I was sat with a man who had completed his OU degree 20 years ago but never went to his ceremony and his daughter was graduating today too so he decided to 'cash in' his ceremony which I thought was lovely.

I finished the degree about 18 months ago but teared up at a couple of sections, managed not to cry though but getting the gown and parts of the speeches reminding you of just how hard it is at times, not necessarily the content but the juggling of everything else. I think I'd blocked out how hard and time consuming it was at times.

Congratulations!

I need to order my gown for October. Was it a straightforward process?

Yes, it was all very well organised, it was at a Cathedral with some of the side events like Photography and post ceremony drinks held elsewhere so I think there was more moving between buildings than at other venues.

We got their early to avoid a crowd but it was so well organized I'm not sure there would have been even if we left it later.

Registered and received tickets and programmes, went over to the gown area, where they scan the QR code they send you earlier in the week, someone else dressed you and sorts your hood out.

Went over to the photography area where they scan the QR code again, and had photos with DD. - They are already online and ready to buy so a quick turnaround.

Mooched around abit and waited to be let in, I had a numbered seat whereas it was every man for himself for guests (I believe this differs for different venues)

Someone comes along to usher you to the front at the right time.

The hood of my gown didn't slip down like others as it was velcroed and I had a short on but they dress you and sort you out before you go across the stage. In terms of what to wear, I'd make sure it has a buttoned front as there's a loop to hook the hood to.

afterwards all the graduates followed OU staff to a separate building for post ceremony drinks and guests followed afterwards where you could buy the photo of you crossing the stage / drop the robe and hood off once you've finished taking your own photos.

It sounds like a great day. I’m really looking forward to mine. Where did you graduate? I’m toying with either Manchester or Birmingham.

Ely Cathedral, localish choices were there or Barbican in London.

We had hoped for nice sunny weather at end of May / June so booked up to spend most of half term in Cambridge to make a bit of a trip of it half term punting and visiting the museums which we did and was nice but there was no relaxing by the river enjoying a nice cold cider - had I known the weather was going to be so rubbish we would have gone to London and made the most of the theatres etc instead

I’ve saw some photos last night on Facebook. It looks lovely.

Congratulations everyone! You have all worked sooo hard and deserve every minute of your success.
I have just finished my dissertation at a brick uni having started out with the OU in 2015. It's been a long journey but I made it!

I submitted my two EMAs this week and that's my degree in childhood and youth studies complete.

The relief is unbelievable and I can actually come home from work and relax (or do the housework) then sit studying and writing. I'm going to forget all about it until July when I'll be expecting my results 🙌🏼

Well done everyone!

So well done all of you! Amazing achievements. Did any of you have to do timed exams? Am on the Natural Sciences pathway and it’s been mainly assignments so far. Am level 2 and have exams coming and feeling a bit nervous. Any tips/ stories welcome! Enjoy your summer!

I did Natural Science and only had one exam in S112 I think. I actively avoided them as I'm shit at them and it heavily influenced the courses I choose.

Read the question, then read it again is the best exam advice.
I like to read through the entire paper once so I know what I'm facing and my brain can start unpacking knowledge boxes in my brain, highlighting the key words and commands words in the question.

And if I have a periodic table quickly marking that up with groups, periods, metals, non- metals etc to steady my nerves and writing on the back any key things I don't want to forget.

But again I'm not great at them so that might be terrible advice.

Oh so well done! What pathway did you take? I am doing biology and chemistry. I will have a timed exam this year, and two next year (I think). For s112 we had 24 hours which was obviously not an exam in the sense we imagine. I also have timed tests this year. I think I need to start practice papers early. And try to stay calm (not sure how!)