Anyone starting new courses this year?

[HighlandCowbag]

I am!

Have just completed a degree in Eng Lit and Philosophy and start an MA in Literature and Creative Writing in a few weeks, full-time so over a year. It's at the uni I did my degree at so not quite as nerve wracking as a brand new uni, and have a few mates still knocking around.

I am very, very excited. I couldn't justify all new stuff but did treat myself to 2 new Moleskin notebooks which are all shiny and crisp ready for new ideas. I'm 46 so v mature for a student, but absolutely loved doing my degree and hoping to love the MA just as much.

Need to find a couple of pairs of comfy but smartish trousers/joggers/combats. Jeans cut into me after a few hours I find tho I do have a v comfy pair from Next I'm going to see if they still have in stock.

Anyone else starting something new and exciting?

I work full time (run a business) and have a family, so need to manage my time.

I'm curious about how other do that. Looking for hints and tips.

I think you have to be really disciplined @Perplexed20 .

If I am honest, my friendships and fitness suffered because my priority became working FT, family/home (am a single parent) and studying.

I work FT in four days (8-6:30 generally), so gave myself a day a week while DC were at school and always did a day at the weekend. Sometimes that would be two 5am - 9am sessions. Read every day, often each end of the day but always one.

In my last year I made sure I read a couple of chapters of fiction before I went to sleep, work was particularly stressful and the culmination of finishing studying seemed more stressful than the previous years. I felt like I was going loopy towards the end.

I stopped drinking 🍷too, I was never a big drinker but I was permanently knackered and even one glass made me feel a bit rough/hazy the next day.

I don't think I am selling it! 😂The menopause didn't help!

It's quite reassuring. I'm doing the reading every day. I have been wondering about trying to structure work so I have a day for study.

I don't work but do have horses which I do twice a day, tho have help a couple of days a week.

So I try and do reading every day. Luckily doing English lit, we read a lot of literature which I usually plough through on my kindle in bed at night and first thing. Writing can be a bit trickier so I get as much done as I can after ponies in the early afternoon. And might go back to it after school pick up. Then I block out 2 full days a week for uni stuff. I have seminars in uni, so go and work in the library. Or if seminar later in day, wfh before setting off.

You do have to be really disciplined. And organised. And have a plan b and a plan c for if things at home go wrong. So I start planning essays and writing them as soon as I can, that way if I lose some time later on because of domestic stuff, I'm already ahead.

I also find that I need a lot of thinking time, and use the time when I'm riding or mucking out or whatever to do that processing and planning and rewriting stuff mentally, and use my notes app on my phone if I have a Eureka moment.

I try and look after myself physically as well. I try not to drink in the week, make sure I get plenty of sleep, take my vitamins and eat well.

That was a huge benefit for me, the extra day. I used to work really long hours, wouldn’t think twice about picking up a project or contract I was working on at the weekend. My PhD changed that for me and those extra hours (at least ten a week) worked for me, rather than worked for my employer.

A bit different if it’s your own company though, but I’m sure you’ll sort something that will work for you. Once you’re in the swing of it I think you’ll find it easy because it’s something you’re interested in.

I had a fractured dislocation during my first stage and had to negotiate a 2 week extention. I got it done and carried on working. I know i can get there but am a bit last mjnute. I think the organisation is key. Might need a forward plan.

When I was in the throes of doing my Masters dissertation, I compiled a weekly to-do list and a daily one. Completing the tasks on those list massively helped me stay on track, and get a good mark. I also put my phone on airplane mode or do not disturb for chunks of time. And like others, I gave up drinking at home. I also did a lot of exercise and was social when I could be. Self-care is so important.

It's the dissertation I am most worried about.

Me too! Especially as teaching will have finished by then so will have to be really organised and motivated. Due in mid August, hopefully I will get in done before then tho.

52 and finished my OU masters in History last year. Changed career and now working in GLAM, which I love. Gearing up for a PhD next, OU again, I think

I'm starting year 2 of 6 with The Open University 🙂

Hello! 👋

I just finished a postgraduate diploma and qualified as a healthcare professional. I start my new job in a few weeks once I am registered with the professional governing body.

In October 2025, I will start a related PGCert which will be my 4th postgraduate qualification 🤭 and the following year I am aiming to do the MSc top-up for the course I just finished.

I love studying! Great to see like-minded people on here 😄

4 postgraduate qualifications sounds amazing! I'd love to just keep on studying forever.

@Intheoldendays I think I'm going to start an English lit degree with the OU in January so would love to know how you're finding it....

I would love to do an English literature degree
I did a history degree at 18, but combination of too much partying, lack of confidence and working part time at the same time meant I enjoyed it but I didn't really get the most from it. I got a 2:2 which was expected but disappointing.
At 30 I self studied my chartered accountancy exams and am now an accountant
I have no savings and children so have no idea how or when I would be able to do another degree but maybe in 10+ years with some savings under my belt
I'd want to do it just for me not for a career
You're all very inspiring

You can do a Masters or PGDip which you can pay for by taking out a postgraduate student loan @JG24

Could I do a masters in English literature without a degree in it?

Usually, yes if you’re talking about being accepted. Your degree is related so that will help. Some places aren’t bothered about the first degree (York).

If you do a Masters with the OU, you don't need a degree, also they have a system that the call the OU Student Bank Account, where they pay for your degree and you pay them back as you go along. As it's part time you wouldn't have to give up work, so you might be able to start in under 10 year's time