I always love and hate this time of year in equal measure. I love it because it’s psychologically a new start; new opportunities, new chances to improve on the you of last year and new ways of thinking. Great. But then I hate it because at this time of the year I’m ALWAYS skint. ALWAYS.
It’s partly my own fault this time, I’ve been a bit careless with my finances the past few months and just before Christmas I booked tickets for Gordon and I to go to Barcelona for his birthday (21st January) so with having to plan for that we’re scrimping a bit this month.
The situation almost came to a head last week though when I was working out our finances and realised that in actual fact we have very little in the way of ‘disposable’ income. I’ve done all of the usual things; finding cheaper deals for gas & electricity, lowering mobile contracts to the cheapest possible options until they run out, comparisons on insurances and although the food budget is the latest thing to be getting scrutinised I know that we don’t spend a great deal on food. So I’ve cut back on as much as I can yet we’re still a bit skint, so what gives?
But what better use?
I looked at my list of outgoings and spotted the ubiquitous ‘Open University’ payment which currently nestles around the £75 a month mark. Can I really afford to continue with my OU studies? I mean I’m doing my Masters too which is £320 a month so is it really practical to continue on or should I be putting that £75 a month to better use? But what better use? It would probably get spent on going out for a meal or going to the pictures which are both valuable uses but using Groupon deals means we still get to go out for meals but manage to do it far cheaper.
On the flip side, can I really afford to GIVE UP my OU study? Fees are going up at the end of this year at which point I probably won’t be able to afford to study at all (because I don't qualify for a loan or transitional arrangements as I already have a degree), never mind scraping it together at the minute, so I sort of want to get my fill in while I still can. I really want to do T227 so I can get my Certificate done and filed away and the science short courses are so much fun but again, lead to something useful in the end.
So which is it? Can I really afford to study, or can I really afford NOT to study? I’m confused.
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TweetI always love and hate this time of year in equal measure. I love it because it’s psychologically a new start; new opportunities, new chances to improve on the you of last year and new ways of thinking. Great. But then I hate it because at this time of the year I’m ALWAYS skint. ALWAYS. It’s partly my own fault this time, I’ve been a bit careless with my ...
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About Carrie Walton
I dropped out of school at 17, halfway through my A Levels and got a job. I’ve worked full time ever since, but when I reached 23 I enrolled with the OU and started on a journey towards the degree I’d never stopped wanting. In 2009 and aged 29 I realised I didn’t want my journey to end and formulated a new plan which includes a masters, a PhD, research and whatever else I might be able to cram into a journey now held under the umbrella term “lifelong learning and ongoing self-improvement”.
I finished my BSc (hons) Open in December 2011 by which time I'd already started on an MA in Social Science research at Durham University with a view to doing a doctorate in the not too distant future. The OU isn’t getting rid of me that easy though, I've already signed up for a BSc (hons) in Criminology and Psychological Studies and I plan to keep studying with them for as long as grey matter will allow me to, it’s all part of my never ending lifelong learning path.
Alongside studying, I work full time for a building contractor in the North East of England as a Liaison Manager. Working is a means of affording and appreciating the things I really enjoy; mountain biking, hiking, theatre, gigs, cinema, eating out, writing, the list could go on, I just like doing things. In whatever spare time I can muster after that, I volunteer for OUSA and am a school governor.
My name is Caz (or Carrie) and this is my journey from dogsbody to doctorate…
Comments
"because I don't qualify for [a loan or] transitional arrangements as I already have a degree"
You do qualify for Transitional Arrangements regardless of what qualifications you already have as long as you meet the criteria on this page:
http://www8.open.ac.uk/study/explained/fees-2012/fees-for-current-students-england
And, specifically, according to the FAQ for English students: https://msds.open.ac.uk/students/help-topic.aspx?t=5&c=1-BCU91Y&p=1-BC80BD -
"I had a degree before I started my current undergraduate study. Am I still eligable for transitional arrangements?" "Yes, the fact that you already hold a qualification does not affect your eligibility".
You just need to be linked to a qualification either now or when the OU asks you to declare which one you want the arrangements to apply to!
I know what you're saying David and I agree, I'm already signed up to the Certificate in Contemporary Science which I'll get at the current prices under the transitional arrangement but beyond that I'd have to pay the new fee price.
Unless... Unless I link one of my last modules (which fell under the dates stiuplated in the transitional arrangement page) to a NEW qualification which means I wouldn't have to start the next module for that qualification until my Masters degree was finished... Plus it's a 'generic' social science module so there's plenty to link it to!
David, you're a GENIUS!! Thank you thank you thank you thank you xxxx
I have studied with the OU, but found it very hard because the academic writing and not spending time on my assignments, I felt pressured to give it up, but it was my dream to get the qualification. Do not let people stop you going for your future edcuation and be kind to yourself.
I am now at college doing literacy and maths and hope to an access course.
Good on you Sonia, so you didn't give up, you realised you needed to build your skills and confidence and started from there. That (to me) is what education is all about.
*tips hat to Sonia*