For those of you that may have missed me musing over this one, I am going to be a student once more. I am excited, and nervous, and worrying about fitting it all in. But mostly, I am excited.
Like many teens, I’d planned to go to university after my ‘A’ levels, and had a place at Warwick Uni, but life doesn’t always go to plan, does it? Anyway, I decided a few years later I wanted to get my degree, so I looked around and I started studying with the Open University. It suited me to study this way so that I could still work, and the Husband and I were just about to move in together, too. It was really flexible, distance learning, but with support on hand. I like to learn like this. I like to absorb materials, write essays, cram for the exams, and I like that initial delivery of texts and course materials, as I’m eager to get stuck in!
I remember this all fondly, but though I was working full time, I did not have the kids, with one still at home with me. Or this blog, which I consider to be my work, albeit part time. I know people do do this with full time jobs and families, so I am confident that all will be well, and honestly, I just feel I have to try it anyway.
As the modules that I completed were quite some time ago (Maths and World Religions – I know, quite a difference!) I need to get going on the other 4 modules that I now need to complete my degree, in order for them to still be counted towards it. I had planned to get back into it when Little Man starts school which is a little over 2 years away, but my old work will have expired by then, and I am loathe to lose a third of my degree that way. So I have enrolled once more, and my student life is about to recommence.
It’s important for me to get this, for me. I can’t tell you what I will do with it yet (I’m not withholding secret information here, I genuinely don’t yet know!). I will be studying OU course A200: Exploring History: Medieval to Modern 1400-1900, and I suspect after this one I will stick with History and/or Religion modules. They were my favourite subjects at school, and I’ve remained interested in them throughout my life.
I’ve ordered my set books in readiness, and they’ve arrived recently. I thought if I got a head start on them (the course starts in October) and have a look at other texts, documentaries and source materials in preparation, it might take some of the pressure off when I do start. Just a theory for now, but worth a go, I think.
Anyway, it feels like quite a big thing. It’s going to be a big part of my life soon so I’ll no doubt keep you updated on my journey along the way. Wish me luck!
Have you any experiences like this? I would love to hear how you got on, and feel free to throw any tips my way!
What a brilliant sounding course. Wishing you all the very best with it and while it will be a balancing act at times it will be so worthwhile. Happy reading!
Thanks very much, Katie x
How exciting! Best of luck! I’ve done a few OU courses but decided not to continue once Toby came along, I finished a beginner’s German module just as he was about 2 weeks old. Like you I’ve now got 1/3 of my degree and would like to finish it one day. I’ll be keeping up with your progress come October, I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly!xx
Thank you. It’s nice to have that third ready, isn’t it?! x
Good for you Jocelyn, I think that’s great! And you definitely don’t want to let your previosu hard work go to waste! I am sure you will get on brilliantly! xx
That’s just it, cannot let those two years go! Thank you xx
That’s great news hon and I wish you all the very best of luck!xx
Thanks very much 🙂 x
Oh this is wonderful! I really hope you enjoy the course and returning to life as an OU student. 🙂 I am 2/3 of the way through an OU degree in Computing & IT and my previous courses are about to run out. There’s no way I will be able to complete my studies before the cut-off so I am going to switch to an Open degree instead. Reading this post has spurred me on to actually do it rather than just say I will and I’ve ordered a new prospectus – so thank you!
That’s brilliant! We can both go for it again from October and spur each other on!
Well done! Good for you! The books you will be reading sound so interesting!!! Best of luck!
Alina
http://www.eclecticalu.blogspot.com
Thanks very much 🙂
Great that you’re studying agin Jocelyn. It’s always good to keep the ‘old’ cogs turning isn’t it? I’m studying a home learning course at the moment (totally different subject matter to your – Crystal Healing Practictioner) and love that although I’m still ‘working’ after my blogging/mummy/housey head is switched off for the night, my study is enjoyable, intriguing and something that I’m uber passionate about – which does help of course! Look forward to hearing how your juggling act comes on 🙂
Glad to hear you’re enjoying it so much, gives me hope I’ll be fine! Thanks x
All the very best with your course! I started a history degree when I left school but was not really ready for it at the time. I wish I could go back and do it since history is a passion of mine. I shall follow your progress x
That’s a shame. it’s never too late, I guess. I’ll keep you updated 🙂 x
I went to Warwick-got my MA in English Lit from there. Go for it Jocelyn, I know you’ll give it 100% and I love the sound of your choices 🙂 x
It’s one of those ‘could have beens’ for me, but hey ho! Thank you, I am excited and I’m sure I’ll make it all work somehow x
Good luck, sounds like a great module to get back into your studies. I completed my degree in Natural Sciences with the OU as travel got in the way of my degree plans. One of the most memorable moments was giving birth to my daughter on the same day that I was supposed to be taking one of my exams. I ended up taking it a month later with my sleep deprived, baby brain in my kitchen (special home exam). Not many places are that flexible!
Brilliant story! They are great and very flexible, glad you enjoyed studying with them 🙂
Wishing you all the very best with achieving your degree. It sounds as though you’ve got a plan in place, which I think gets you off on the right track from the start. I carried on doing various courses after uni, and eventually managed to gain an MBA- my dissertation was due in the same date as my daughter was due. Since having children I’ve tried to get back into the swing of things as learning can be so rewarding but never made it passed the first hurdle. I’m hoping with all three full time from September I might be ready- I look forward to the reassurance of your journey- regular updates will be appreciated!. x
It is so rewarding, I think, so I’m determined to make a go at it. Well done you on doing so much, too. I will update with my progress, so will hopefully reassure! x
Good luck, I am so glad I chose to star my degree last year. I thought about OU but really wanted to be in a university to learn and with the course I am taking, I think I would have missed out on the reinforcement of having lecturers and students to critique my work. Can’t wait to hear more.
Glad you’re going for it, too, and enjoying it. Here’s hoping I can do as well!
Good for you Jocelyn, really hope you enjoy the challenge. Studying brings lots of note book and pen buying opportunities too!
This is very true 😉 Thanks!
It is undoubtedly harder to study with children taking up so much brain space if nothing else, but it found it made me really efficient with my time and I learnt to divide studying time so I could concentrate. I rejoined my full time course when Phoebe was one, but a lot of it felt like distance learning because I had so few contact hours and I was with her the majority of the time. Then I carried on and finished it about six weeks after Simeon, our second was born. I loved having something that was completely different from being a mum but being able to balance it flexibly with looking after them as my top priority. There’s more on my blog post about studying win children which I wrote a few months ago without going into it all here 😉 good luck! I’m sure you’ll love it and find the right balance of time. I always had intentions of getting ahead in the summer but needed those deadlines to make me actually do the reading!
You’re right, and I hadn’t really thought about the brain space side of things. I think I might be like that with the deadlines! Will check out your blog, thanks 🙂
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