[NGC773]

Is it possible to hold a fulltime job whilst studying an OU degree at full time level?

[Persipan]

(Original post by NGC773)
Is it possible to hold a fulltime job whilst studying an OU degree at full time level?

It is possible, but I'd say it depends a bit on the job, the degree, and the other circumstances of your life as to how workable it actually is. The OU reckon 120 credits a year takes about 32 hours a week, which obviously means putting in a substantial amount of time most days (if not every day). Someone with, say, a relatively straightforward job near their home and no family or other commitments would find it easier than, I don't know, someone with a stressful job requiring lots of overtime, a long drive to work, and small children. Plus, I think people have very different tolerances when it comes to how much is too much.

If you're thinking of doing it, I think my advice would be to start off on a part-time basis, and see how it goes. Start with 60 credits, see how it goes, get used to what's required and how it fits in with your life, and then go up to 120 credits a year if you're managing. Doing it the other way round can end up in people getting disheartened and jacking it in because they don't do as well as they hoped, or find themselves with no free time left and don't enjoy it, or whatever, when perhaps they would have been fine if they'd just done it part-time the whole time.

[Bleak Lemming]

(Original post by NGC773)
Is it possible to hold a fulltime job whilst studying an OU degree at full time level?

I juggle 90 credits as well as working (36-72 hours per week) per week and it's manageable.. but you have to be dedicated, sometimes I don't go to bed and then go to work the next day for 12 hours. Next year I'll be studying 2x level 2 60 credit modules and a level 2 residential which will be 130 credits in all but I'll be taking 4 and a half month of unpaid leave at work so that I can concentrate on the overlap and get the residential in + I want to do a few things out side of work (skidiving license )..

I think I'd manage MST209 and T207 together as they only overlap for 5 months, but I'm pretty confident that I would struggle with deadlines and my grades would suffer from it which isn't really acceptable, even if it's just 10%.. L2 & L3 modules is where it counts and that 5-10% would mean the difference between a 1st and a 2:1.. or a 2:2.. (dont think i'll be getting a 3rd! fingers crossed)

In summary I think it depends on the modules you want to study, and your academic level. I have seen some people in my tutorials in MST121 who like me had no previous experience of A-level maths or above and they were struggling with MST121 whilst I studied MST121, MS221 and T173 together and have managed to keep marks > 90%.

[abbyheat]

(Original post by NGC773)
Is it possible to hold a fulltime job whilst studying an OU degree at full time level?

Definitely possible. I've done it the whole way through. There are times when it is less than fun - for example I have a 4000 word essay due in the day before an exam which isn't so much fun but over all it's not too bad.

[david_s0]

Can be done (I did it as well) but can be hard at times.
I am self employed though, so that made it much easier on me as I had a lot of flexibility!

[Dreamer1257]

I have a personal story for your proof. Someone very dear to me had a full time job, full time college, and was in the army full time after a war they were in. They had a daughter and had a spouse to take care of. They (not saying he/she) made it through. If you're doing it for a good reason, make sure it would be worth it. There's going to be little sleep involved (that you can get used to) and maybe a little pain depending on what you work as. I wish you luck.

[Kate.]

I've been working full time since I started with the OU. I'm in my third year with the OU now, and did 90 points each year. First year was two 30 point level 1 + one 30 point level 2, second year was one 30 point level 2 + one 60 point level 2 and currently I'm doing one 30 point level 1 and two 30 point level 3 modules. It's only become stressful in the last couple of months, seems like the deadlines just never end! I've just handed in my final EMA for the level 1 module though so that's out of the way now. I'm either doing 60 or 90 points next year, haven't decided yet. Probably 60 though I think...as much as I'd like to do the extra module just for enjoyment, I don't know if I'd cope with an extra level 2 on top of two 30 point level 3 modules, one of which will be my project/dissertation.

But yeah, so far it's been manageable. However I don't work through the books at all. I start with TMA questions and just do the parts I need to for that. I consistently do very well though, and luckily I'm fairly good at last-minute cramming for exams (well, I've done much better than I thought I would in the two exams I've had so far so I guess I must have been good at it!). If you're a person who prefers to stick to the study schedule and work your way through the books and activities, you might find it takes up more of your time.

[Tyrion]

I'm another one who has been working full time alongside full time OU study. I currently work about 40 hours a week in a demanding job and am doing 120 points at level 2 (2x history courses).

It's tough, but manageable. It helps that I have a supportive partner who cooks me yummy dinners then makes himself scarce so I can get on with it.

I've more or less stuck to the study schedule (sometimes it slips a bit when the assignments are due) and I am getting good marks in both.

I've found the trick is to realise that there will be evenings where I really don't want to study, and that it is fine to take a break then (as anything I did do would be worthless) but that I have to make up for it at the weekend.

I would echo the advice of maybe starting off part time - I did last year with one 60 point course and it was enough to show me that I could manage full time.

Saying that, I am dropping back down to part time in September as we have to move continents next year and I am not sure I could hack full time study with that joy!

[inksplodge]

I do 40 hours a week (plus 2 hour commute) 5 days a week and am doing 120 pts [level 1 and level 2]. Honestly, it's really difficult although I don't feel my marks have suffered for it. If you're going to do it you need to be disciplined and make sure you keep up to speed.

[~ Purple Rose ~]

I did it last year and it is possible, although you do need to be organised.

[saturatedlies]

No I regret it everyday and can't wait for one to finish in October. It is possible - in the sense it can be done, but you basically won't have any free time.

[dg2009]

I do but then I only work 3 days or 4 nights a week 12.5hr shifts.