Published on 12, July, 2020
I'm currently really struggling with work because of all the responsibilities and overstimulation and debating going back to education so I can have some more control over my schedule and also open up some more career opportunities. I thought OU could be good because it's online so there's less social stress. Specifically interested in doing a Psychology degree with Open University (full-time) because this has been my special interest for years now.
Has anyone done a degree with OU? Would you recommend full-time? Did you find that they were supportive and understanding of autistic people?
Yes a long time ago.
did it get you a high paying job is the real question as to whether it was worth it really?usually degrees and stuff are to unclock jobs above minimum wage, into the 50k plus a year range.
No, no high paying job, but at that time the cost of the OU degree was much much less then it is now.
My problem is that by now I do know quite a bit about my chosen subjects and have problems getting books and stuff, I really need access to a university library, my subject/s arn't technical, but I'd love to have the stimulation of discussion and feedback. I'd have to move back to England, probably Exeter to follow some of my more esoteric interests as they seem to do the courses that I'd want to do, only I don't want to move to England not even Exeter, its to busy and crowded and I'd have to do so much catching up with tech. If I ever won the lottery that I don't do, I'd be a perpetual student.
TheCatWoman said: When you read at home, there's no essays to write, no seminars, no one to ask questions of, no feedback
That is a big problem. When you're at university whether it's a brick or mortar one or online like the open university. There are always colleagues in the same boat as me. And tutors to help me out. At home when I get stuck on a technical problem, it's textbooks or the internet. My extended family are useless, not even an A level between them, (council house mentality).
I was lucky when it came to education fees, I got government grants, training grants from the DHS and the OU was very cheap in my time. In 2012 I paid £7000 for a one year master's Degree and my money was refunded on the first day because one student who had a research council grant didn't turn up and didn't inform them in advance that he wasn't coming. It was too late to re-advetrise the grant so they offered it to me and refunded my tuition fees.
Nathan I agree studying is fun, I'd love to do another degree, I went to uni as a mature student at the age of 42, hung out with people younger than my kids, had great relationships with my lecturers, it was one of the best times of my life. I simply can't afford to do another degree and few places do the courses I'm interested in.
I don't like this thinking that mixes education and training, education isn't always about getting a "better" job, it can be about the joy of learning and having the oportunity and structure that a proper course gives you. When you read at home, there's no essays to write, no seminars, no one to ask questions of, no feedback, other than a confused, 'what do you want to read that for?' from bemused friends and family.