Is anyone doing an OU degree (history??) and working almost ft and have small children - is it feasible?

[Raggydoll]

I am considering retraining as a teacher starting with a ou degree in history but will have to continue to work 30 hrs per week throughout 9 'till 3pm then 2 dc's until bedtime at 7.30pm.

Anyone else mangaging this type of schedule or would it be impossible?

I have just completed an OU History degree. Started in 04, finished 08. Started pre DS, now almost 2.

It is definitely doable in your situation. I would say, don't rush, do 1x60 point per year. By the time you get to the level 3 courses (the hardest), DC's will be older and more independent. I worked nearly every evening and at weekends. When essays were due I was up very late. BUT, it was brilliant. I absolutely loved it and can't recommend OU enough. I loved it so much I am going on to do a Masters (not at OU). If you have any Q's, please ask.

I am doing an OU history degree and not working -so I can fit in 120 points a year, but I would say do not think about doing more than 60pts if you are working ft. If school holidays are an issue (as they are for me) try to go for courses that run Sept-June rather than the January to October ones as these mean that you are very busy with end of course assessments or exams during the school summer holidays - not ideal for most parents.
There is a huge amount of reading and if you start falling behind it is difficult to catch up again, so try to stick to the timetable at all costs.
But as sunshine and showers says, it is hugely enjoyable and rewarding I finish in October and like her I am hoping to go on and do a masters next year.

I would agree with the others, do 60 point max per year, I'm doing 60 this year, I have one child and another on the way,and work part time and with the tiredness I have been feeling I am just about managing, but still loving every minute of it. I'm doing maths not history, but equally challenging I'm sure. Good luck

I'm going to be following you down that route shortly. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to study so I am starting off with a 10 point course - Making sense of the arts. LadyGlencoraPalliser informed me that you can use Tesco clubcard points for the OU, I had no idea!

Thanks LGP!

thanks everyone ... i have registered for aa100 and it starts october, i may even qualify for some financial help.

the dc's do go to bed quite early and sunshineandshowers is right, by the time i get to the level 3's dc's will be older - if nothing else i will be setting a good example

good luck

Good luck raggydoll

Ooh, ooh - i am in exactly the same position as you!
Planning on doing teacher training next year.
I also work 30hrs a week (8.30-3.30) THEN do an after school nanny job 2-3 nights a week until 6.30pm.

I am a lone parent and my eldest,who is 10, doesnt go to bed until 9-9.30.

It is possible, but for me, i dont get to study during the week, and only a little bit at weekends !! Hence my grades arent that good, but as long as i get a 2:2 in the end, i can do my teacher training.
(I also need to take my GCSE maths next summer! And move house!!)

GOOD LUCK!!

Also, i agree with the bit about finding a course that runs Sept/Oct - June. Most OU courses seem to run Feb-Oct for some stupid reason which is soooo hard when you have kids running around you all summer!

I opted to go to do part time study rather than OU as I just dont have the right committment levels for home study, but am also doing history.

I am doing a sort of undergrad sandwich course to get me straight into year 2 of the degree and have just completed my first term with 2 children (4 and 2 almost) and work 3 days a week.

I have nursery provision for 5 days so use the extra two days from 9-3 one of which I am at uni and one I use for study. I only completed one module last term (15 points, but not sure if that is the same). In Jan I will be completing two modules so that is when I really will see how hard it is.

Really interested to hear about how the OU History programme compares to my programme and would love to swap info etc.

You need to work in it at least 14 hrs a week. I think it is doable if you get the children to go to bed at 7:30. The key is to compartamentalise the things, time for work is time for work, time for the kids to be devoted to the kids, time for study is 100% for study. Working 2 hrs a night is not so difficult but would you be happy to do that for 6 years?, it is doable but you need a lot of determination.

DS was born in the middle of my MA studies, I managed well, studying at night. But, it took a humongous effort, I don't know if I could have managed to do that for so many years. (Although considering the amount of hours I spent and continue to spend in Mumsnet in all these years perhaps by now I would have finished a PhD )

Musmnet is more social though..