Returning to education

H needed an A level for work, he hadn't studied for over 10yrs and they put him on a distance learning course. It didn't help he was trying to do it in one year when it's a two year course, but it was awful. He got terrible support, no guidance, and failed the whole lot. This year he's gone to college to do the first year, he's doing so much better. This isn't everyone's experience as I know people who got their degree through the OU, but it really didn't work for him.

Hi, I haven't done distance learning myself but some friends have done it and it is achievable. I think you have to be disciplined and have certain days/nights blocked out for study. You will miss out on classroom interaction and discussion which can really help with developing thinking and knowledge in an area. Is the course available as an evening class or at the weekend?

25 is not too old to go back to university! In fact, it is a nice age as you have some work experience which you can draw upon during your studies, and you may have a better idea of where you want to go in life, and more motivated to achieve it e.g. setting up your own work placements, compared to an 18 year old who might see university as a chance of being away from home and to drink and party. It is also a good place to make contacts. Lots of universities have set up alumni groups on LinkedIn, which would give you access to many potential contacts.

Good luck! It will be tough but worthwhile. ?

I think it all depends on who you study with long distance! I'm just coming to the half way point of my OU degree, and while it's not always perfect, I'm enjoying it and the support is really excellent. Happy to answer any questions you may have

1.5 modules left and I'll have my open uni degree. Can't recommend it highly enough!

Thanks for your feedback so far! I think OU is going to be my best option.

I called that college and the woman was horribly rude and just said I better bring valid payment with me to an open evening. I think I was aiming too low with the HNC.

It's good to hear that some of you have had such great experiences with distance learning. There are great universities near me but commuting is around £200 a month and I can't afford to leave my job right now.

I've done a short course with the OU and loved it. Now doing a degree and equally loving it. I'm doing Criminology and Psychological Studies and although I have to be disciplined I think the OU is ace. I'm also doing a Speech and Language Course through work. Glutton!

P.S. I'm 34 with 3 kids so if I can do it you can!

Wow Schwelley, well done! That's fantastic!

I was hoping to get my degree in business and marketing. I've studied radio and broadcast tech, started music business, done NQ in Art then my HNC in Art and Design. Left to work and get my own place and sort myself out a bit. Now I'm looking to apply for jobs but they all seem to want a degree or relevant study which I don't have.

Open University have a course in business that I can do part time over 6 years and I can take modules in marketing. After that I could try for post grad in Marketing! I did like the sound of something Media related but it's not easy to find for an online course or undergrad!

It is pretty exciting. I've been kicking myself for years about leaving school at 16 (I had almost straight A's, silly physics giving me a B!) I'll try and find a student advisor to help me!

Here I am at the grand old age of 42 just getting my degree and without the support of the H, I couldn't have done it either. It really does make all the difference!

Good luck with it Calella - it is hard work, but very much worth it x

Thanks ladies Part of the reason I left education was because I applied for university in Brighton with hopes of changing my life and starting again down there, but I didn't get in.

But now I'm far more "together" if you know what I mean, and feel like I'm ready for it properly now. I'm so grateful for the help we get in Scotland for education costs! I saw the price of a degree and almost fell off my chair!

I can transfer credits from previous courses so that might even give me a helping hand!

I'm lucky to have such a supporting fella helping me along. He just wants me to be happy and I feel that this is the way to do it!

Hoping I can have a degree by the time I'm 30!

Go for it Calella! If you want to do it, my thought would be to do it now while you are young and relatively free and independent.

I haven't done distance learning strictly but I did do my Masters and the Legal Practice Course part time in the evenings while working full time. There was a classroom based element but a lot was independent learning. The key was to keep on top of the work and be diligent rather than letting it mount up. I find that whatever time you allocate yourself, you use. Actually being on a schedule can make you produce better results and waste less time.

I was incredibly lucky that I lived with my parents at the time and they were incredibly supportive (like your partner). Having that support network is key. Some people on my courses were sole parents with children who also worked. They were absolutely amazing, but dreadfully hard for them - much respect. It also probably helped that I had few distractions as husband (then boyfriend) was working away in Scotland at the time.

Good luck! Quite jealous. Would love to go back to university and do a PhD. Probably will never happen.

Just a little update!

I found out that my chances of getting funding to do my degree are high so I've gone ahead and registered to study for my BA (Hons) in Business Management with a specialism in marketing.

I should be finished in 3-6 years but have to wait til October to start. I'm so excited!

FMIL isn't pleased that I'm doing something that will delay us moving over to Oz, but stuff it. I want to do it and I have OH's support so I'm doing it!

Congratulations! That course sounds brilliant.

Fabulous news Calella!!

And good for you doing what you need to do and not what FMIL thinks you should do ?

I was working full time when I decided to go back to further education, I studied at night at home and it was done through a local college whereby I had their support through email. It is hard work, long days when you have been working too however it is worth it in the end. Its never too late to learn anything, you are still young at 25 - go for it x

Oh Calella, this is something I've been thinking about for a long time!

Who are you doing the course with? This is EXACTLY the subject I'd like to do!!

In terms of funding, do you mean a student loan? x

It's through the Open University, you can choose which part of business you want to focus on - management, marketing, admin, finance etc.

After I have my degree I'm hoping to go to Herriott Watt in Edinburgh and do a post grad and maybe aim for something PR or Media based.

In terms of funding, I can apply to SAAS (Students award agency for Scotland) to fund/part fund my course because I'm a Scottish resident. It's not a loan, I don't have to pay it back. As long as I'm progressing my education and not repeating years then I can apply for their help. Can do that next month and I'm hoping they can help me out with maybe half my fees per year! If that gets rejected then I'll probably have to go down the student loan route.

ah okay, hope you get it, that would be a huge help!

I've been thinking about doing a HND for a while, purely because its quicker than a degree but maybe I should be aiming my sights higher.. 6 years seems like an awful long time and I'm very impatient!

It's only 6 years if you do it part time, based on doing 60 credits a year. Full time is 120 credits a year, and you need 360 for a degree.

I'm aiming for 90 a year so should do it in 4, all going well! I asked if I could do it at my own pace, so if I finish 60 credits I can just crack on with the next ones instead of waiting for the next year. They said I could do that if I wanted! I like that I can do it at my own pace instead of sitting in a classroom being told when to study something.

Hi

I started back at college in 2013 doing a counselling course part time and absolutely love it! I never went to college after I finished my GCSE's so had no idea what it would be like but it's one of the best things I have done, the added bonus of being in a college setting is you have guidance and support from your peers as well as your tutors

Good Luck

Great news Calella! Exciting times. Not sure why your MIL is being so negative, it's a great opportunity and will make you even more employable when you get to Oz.

I went back to university at 30 and re-trained to be a mental health nurse. It was a great experience