OMG - What have I done??!!

[Comfreyfan]

Sounds like an excellent plan!

[Hilary B]

The big advantage of OU is... you can slow down, take a break, whatever fits with your life, and it still counts!!!

[Bramble_killer]

Congrats , it'll all be worth it doing something for yourself.

[allotmentlady]

well done sarah, i ENVY you, u got for it girl!

[Scottishnewbie]

It's not the things we DO in life we regret, it's the things we DON'T do that we regret! Good for you gal, I'm at a similar xroads so I'm truly delighted for you.

SNx

[Alice]

Go for it Sarzwix. It takes work and discipline and about 6 years - but you can do it.

I did half an OU degree (3 credits) but then decided - was able to commit to - being a full time student. My OU credits gave me the entrance requirement I needed for university (I left school when I was 15 with nothing - long, horrible story) and I went on to get a first class honours degree in Psychology.

Set your sights high Sarzwix, and set them in steel.
Write down why you are doing this - be brutally honest.
When you waver - you will - and wonder how you are going to do it - it's not all a parcel of joy - refer to your list.
You can do it - it's not too late to benefit from it.
Every best wish for your success, and we are here with encouragement when things are tough.
Go for it and enjoy.

[bluemoon]

Were you 37 with 3 kids, and 2 allotments when you did it though?!

The good thing is that the course counts towards a History BA too, in case I change my mind, coz I love both things

My friend who did the persuading, has a PhD in English and is a lecturer in the subject so I will have plenty of help at hand

Nope, but I was 30 with 4 kids all under 9 and one allotment and did a full time science (Biochemistry and Genetics) degree. Loved it, the best thing I ever did. You go for it Sarz, you'll love it.

[selfraising]

Go for it Sarz. When I started my nursing degree I was 35 having just finished my Biology GCSE at a sixth form college with a load of 16 year olds. I had my two girls under the age of 10, was going through a divorce and had to do placements in hospital whilst writing essays. I left the course after two years but not because of any of the above but because I became disillusioned about the volume of paperwork versus caring that I had to do. The fact that I got as far as I had and could have stayed on, gave me an enormous sense of achievement and I knew then that I wasn't as dumb as my ex kept telling me I was. I would still like to do an OU course myself but may have to save up some pennies first. Good luck Sarz and well done you!!!

[SarzWix]

You are all so encouraging, thank you Alice, that's really helpful I'm in a similar position to you - I left school (and home) in the middle of resits for a couple of my gcse's, and have always felt inferior to my university educated sisters & cousins. Well, enough of that now, time to stop whingeing and do something about it I was late taking my driving test, and passed first time, so, same determination and hopefully reasonable results.
Any tips on time management, and how to knuckle down...? I am the world's greatest procrastinater

[BarleySugar]

You have done the right thing. It isn't as bad as it seems. I phoned my local uni asking what course I should take for one of their degree course, to be told he's take me on unconditionally. This was a full time 3 year course, I saw him the next day, joined classes the following Monday 3 weeks into the course, and came out with the highest honours for the engineering deparment of that year.
It takes a bit of getting use to, but it had been 20 years for me, and the brain does start to remember how to study. Best thing I did, so go for it, You will be great

[zazen999]

You are all so encouraging, thank you Alice, that's really helpful I'm in a similar position to you - I left school (and home) in the middle of resits for a couple of my gcse's, and have always felt inferior to my university educated sisters & cousins. Well, enough of that now, time to stop whingeing and do something about it I was late taking my driving test, and passed first time, so, same determination and hopefully reasonable results.
Any tips on time management, and how to knuckle down...? I am the world's greatest procrastinater

Loads of study and essay writing tips; once you are on and started - We'll help you through.

The main problem I had with the English part of my degree was being TOO conscientious reading everything. I read Tristram Shandy in 25 days @ about 27 pages per night without fail.....I postitnoted the end of every day's reading and did not stop until I got there.....only to find that nobody else had read it - including the tutor.

The 80/20 rule applies as well; Do 80% of what you need to do in 20% of the time and then spend the rest on the fiddly bits.

Essays:
Start with what you are going to say
Then say it
Then end with what you have said

Split the essay into 6 sections [so 600 words would have 100 words per section], and use 100 for the start and 100 for the end; that leaves 4 x 100 to make 2 points for and 2 points against your argument.

Keep it simple, and reference properly.

You will have access to most of the articles online through the uni; and hopefully a library as I would like to think they partner up with big libraries around the country or have their own.

Make interesting connections [one of the best essays I read compared Lolita with Enid Blyton - it was fascinating and written by one of my class mates who is now a teacher but should have written books once she graduated].

But...we'll do more once you are up and running.

Also, I might have some books here that you need - to save pennies.

*I was always jealous of my university educated cousins.....and now I am higher qualified than any and earning more....not that it is about money but it certainly helps.

[Lottieval]

Congratulations, you've definitely done the right thing. If it's the brainwork bit that's bothering you then don't worry it will soon come back, you will find that being older gives you a different perspective and you will know things that youngsters have to be taught. I left school at 16 and have done all my studying whilst working and having a family, though kids were older when I started. Get yours to help a little bit so that you have some time, emphasize that as it's important for them to have the time and space to do their homework so it will be for you to do your study. They will be so proud of you, even if they don't openly admit it at first. Well done you, go for it and enjoy it!

P.S. I found computers such a help when essay writing, it's so much easier to erase or shift words around than writing in rough and then doing a final copy, even though I was writing in french for one of the qualifications that I've done. That made it all a lot easier and quicker than when I was at school scribbling away.

[taff]

There was a bloke up the street from me who did an OU degree when he was 72, so I reckon you've done the right thing by not waiting as long as he did!!

[Incy]

Well done Sarz! Definitely the right choice!
As far as being organised goes. try and identify a time slot (not too long) which you can stick to and be rigid about it to start with while you get used to studying again. Once you're in the swing of it I doubt you'll have trouble finding the time you need.
Good luck and enjoy!

[selfraising]

Hi Sarz
It's always useful to highlight key points in the title so you don't go off on a tangent. Refer back to the title especially in your conclusion. As Incy suggests, identify a time slot for study and make the family aware that this is your time and you are not to be disturbed. I always studied in the evening, mainly because then the children were in bed and I was then a single parent again but if your hubby can support then that's even better.