2 OU courses at once?

[SenseofEntitlement]

(repost from the FE section, sorry, I posted in the wrong place)

I'm registered to do dd205 starting in Feb, but am considering taking on either U212 or K217 as well (both start in Jan).

The advantages would be that I would finish my degree sooner, that I would stay busy (I am off work because of my health) and that I would have a variety of tasks (I did a year of trad uni, doing social policy combined with literature, and loved the variety - it made it easier to motivate myself as, if I got fed up of doing lit homework, I could just do some SP, and vis versa)

Cons would be that it would mean being busier, and if my health became bad I would find it harder to catch up, and I have been out of education now for four years (and have never done level 2 before, although I did get a solid first, if tyhe first year counted, in what I have done previously) I did do A103 when I was 18, instead of doing A2 at college, and found that very manageable alongside a full time job and party lifestyle, although of course I didn't have children and was 18 and therefore full of energy.

I know the plan is that funding won't change for current students, but I am also scared of some kind of major policy change meaning I suddenly couldn't finish my degree (student loans aren't an option for various reasons) so I'm keen to get it done asap.

I do want to double up one year - I want to have the BA by the time my 2 year old starts school - and doubling up on level 3 courses, especially when I might be back at part time work, seems like it would be loads harder than level 2.

BUT, would I be setting myself up for a fall?

Thoughts please smile

I should add that I am also intending to do postgrad afterwards, and this year I am all set to be more involved in Rethink and the Fabian Society, which may well increase about this time next year. All these things are hopefully so I can use my ill time to make me employable eventually. So it isn't just a case of getting a BA at the end of my name (although that is a big part of it) but also the knowledge and academic experience will be very useful.

I'm completing a BA in Business Studies. I did my first year 6 years ago at a brick university and did really well. Transferred my credits (120) towards this degree and now trying to get finished as quickly as possible. Finished my first level 2 course in October which I did while working full time, have now dropped my hours at work to 20 and am doing a level 2 and a level 3 course at the same time. Strangely I am finding the level 3 course much, much easier than the level 2 and way more enjoyable, for now anyway!

Not sure that really answers your question

Wait until 2013 to do u212 (which will then be e212). The current course is really very out of date and the OU are remaking it, so you'll get the shiny new course with up to date materials in 2013.

I did two level 2 courses at the same time while at home with small children. I found it very do-able, BUT...

It was my second degree (first was in a completely different area and many years before, but still...)

I had no health problems.

oh no, Damsel, don't tell me that, I've already paid up for U212 starting in January 2012!

I'm doing E111 at the moment. At first I found it OK but for the last fortnight I've had a hellish time at work, plus DH is away and I am way behind. TMA due this week and I haven't even started it.

So at this point in proceedings, I'm dreading doing 2 at once, but if I didn't have to go out to work I'd be fine (although all my DC are at school, so circs slightly different from the OP's).

Sadly it's true. Sorry. Getting the credits may be more important to you overall than the course content though, so look on the bright side.

2 at once is hard, especially when you're juggling other commitments. Each level 2 course is supposed to be 16 hours of work a week. 2 60 credit courses is a full-time year at a traditional university. There is also a big jump between the difficulty of level 1 and level 2.

U212 is quite a lot of work and quite challenging, especially for students who're coming from the more practice-focused courses. It's very much a social science course (despite coming from the education faculty). That said, it's vey popular and many students enjoy it. Look on Facebook and you'll get an idea of how current and previous students have found it.

I'm coming at it from a social sciences background - I am wanting a degree focused mostly on social policy and so on, as I want a career in that direction - I'm even trying to get up to scratch to do a stats module at some point. I'm more interested in children as a policy area than as individuals

i agree with damsel - U212 is a fabulous course but many of the materials are now out of date and you would be better to wait until the new course. maybe the OU would let you defer for a year if you wanted to.

By out of date, what do you mean? Would it still be ok from a theoretical perspective and with lots of background reading? It's just that I want to get level 2 nailed asap and so, if I don't start two in Feb, I will be doing my second level two in October, and so won't get the chance to do the module at all.

The theory is quite out of date now (some parts very much so), as is anything to do with policy. Childhood studies has moved on a great deal since u212 was written. The course is also very old style in format.

That's fair enough then - thanks for the warning. Will look at other courses.