I've lost all enthusiasm for doing my OU course.

[Helen Back]

I've been doing an OU course, Computing and IT, since 2015 at a rate of one module per year because I didn't want to have to divide my attention between two modules. A couple of times two modules have overlapped because of their start dates but that was it.

I'm now on the first module of stage 3, what would be year 3 in a regular uni, and I'm just not feeling it anymore. I know I should try to go on but I'm running out of care for this whole course. Burnout from doing it for so long? Maybe. I took a study break last year for that reason and I'm just not getting it back.

I don't want to drop out because my other half has always wanted to get a degree but can't. He did start a bricks and mortar course but had to drop out for various reasons and now can't get finance to try again with the OU. If I drop out, it will be like throwing away an opportunity that he would kill for.

But if I did drop out, could I resume in a few years when I might feel more like it? Or is this my only chance? Would Student Finance let me try again later?

I guess I know the answer - I have to try and stick with this.

 

[l'Otters]

Is there any support within the OU to talk things over with?

eg when I’ve felt unsure about the course I was doing the departments who were useful were called student wellbeing, and progression.

The best place to check about the finance side of it is probably this online student forum: Ask Student Finance England
If that link doesn’t work, it’s thestudentroom.co.uk , go to “universities and university courses” then to “student financial support” then to “ask student finance England”.

 

[Helen Back]

When I took my study break, I had only asked about the possibility of taking it. It was a casual enquiry that they took to be a real request. So I dare not even ask about it.

Thank you for your advice. It's 7.40am and I've just overcome a bit of a stumbling block in an assignment so I'm feeling a bit better now. I'll see how far I get before I get really, really stuck. Sometimes just moaning and venting online helps. One day at at time. One part of an assignment question at at time. Damn thing doesn't have to be in until early December, anyway. I'll get there.

 

[two sheds]

Revisit why you wanted to do the course originally?

 

[t0bytoo]

I have done a few OU degrees. The most recent course was really disappointing but I stuck with it because I didn’t have touch else to do in lockdown. Glad I did, though, as I can now look back and see how much I learned.

Not much help, I’m afraid. But if in doubt then one step at a time. And it will eventually go away. Doing assignments early helps but can also be despiriting as there is a long lead time for feedback/scores.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[two sheds]

As I understand it, OU courses do involve a phenomenal amount of work so what you're going through is quite understandable.

 

[jontz01]

It's something I've always wanted to do but never taken the step because I know I'd feel like that, after what seems like an eternity of concentration.... I really wanted to go to Uni but got into the computer wave early on and worked hard in a career. Nowadays as a landscaper, I feel like a degree would be helpful for my later years, the body won't last forever but I know my attention span isnt good enough. I don't know how people manage to work and study at the same time but I have a lot of respect for it... Its a huge commitment of time.

It's normal to hit a wall with a huge task and you sometimes feel there's no end in sight. Mrsjontz always tells me that a degree isn't necessarily about the subject matter, but the ability to stick at something until the bitter end and present it well. That's what you earn the credit for at the end. Staying power. You've come this far, stick at it and when you look back you'll be well proud of yourself.

 

[A380]

My other half did a masters with the OU and because of her MS and some other things had a four year gap which they were fine with. She graduated about 8 years ago, I don’t know if anything has changed.

Well done for getting this far.

 

[StoneRoad]

Well done for getting this far.
An OU degree is as big a commitment as most people will ever make ...

I assume, that having looked at the whole thing, and planned the steps and the order to work on them - You are taking each step of the assignment at a time.
If you get blocked, either take up another part, or drop the whole thing for an hour or two and do something completely different. Then have another go, maybe from a different angle.

Don't be tempted to leave it until the last moment & rush it - that way leads to mistakes, I have found from personal experience!

Q- Does the OU have "personal tutors" or "student well-being" ? If so talk to them or failing that, the course tutor or the most recent seminar leader [when I was at this stage we had a lot of group discussions, some led by tutors, others by our fellow students, usually from the same year group - but not always].

I do hope you regain your "mojo" - I lost mine for several months in my first year and again just before my finals. I got it back and then did a post-grad / professional course that was really useful.

 

[Thora]

When I got to the 3rd year of mine I actually took a sabbatical from work and did it in a year. Maybe a bit like you it was just dragging on too long doing a module at a time and I just needed to get it done!

 

[equationgirl]

How much do you have left before you can finish with a degree Helen Back ?

 

[Carvaged]

There's an unusual degree of flexibility at the OU. You can withdraw from a module, defer a module, or even change your degree if you want. Have a read of this years study plans policy for a detailed look at what you can do (opens into a PDF):

https://help.open.ac.uk/documents/policies/changing-your-study-plans/files/193/changing-your-study-plans-policy-2021-22%20%28MAR21%20First%20Publish%29.pdf

 

[spring-peeper]

Looking into the future, how disappointed would you be if you did not complete the course?
For me, that would be the best way to look at it.

While I was working, I did university on a part time basis. I got through to third year.
Then I got pregnant, and the two hour drive home every night caused me to drop out.

I never really regretted it. However, the information I got from the courses was an asset in my future.

I understand that you would feel sad because your partner never had the chance, but really it is up to you.

Most posts say to continue.
You have a choice - two options - quit or continue.

There is nothing wrong with stopping if you really don't care about the material, or want to concentrate on something different.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

You have a choice - two options - quit or continue.

there may be a third choice - to postpone / defer. i don't know enough about the rules to say whether this may be the case.

the finance angle is worth considering - i've never done the student loan thing, so am no way clear on the rules, but have a feeling (from friend of friend's experience) that it can get a bit shitty if you drop out. i may have misunderstood something, but certainly something worth finding out more about committing to anything.