Open Uni / Jobs causing issues

mountainofdebt

falko89 wrote: »

In regards to WTC seems we are not entitled.

Not working completely or just doing her 'day' job?

Also have you looked into financial assistance that you could get fom the OU and taken that into account?

falko89

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Not working completely or just doing her 'day' job?

Also have you looked into financial assistance that you could get fom the OU and taken that into account?

It seems to be based on the amount earned last year, last year I wasn't working min wage, Why do they do this? But doesn't matter if she works 23 hours or none we are not entitled apparently, I know at the moment we get a few quid WTC which makes me think that calculator might not be 100% accurate but even so its not going to be to far wrong, makes me wonder if I got a part time job if its based on last years earnings we are gonna be even worse off.

Yep qualified for the full award of financial assistance from the OU which is what paid for this course.

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

I just wanted to put my 2 pennorthworth in here. Could you sit down with the family and do a timetable of hour by hour what happens during the week, school holidays weekdays weekends included so all the time is accounted for. Then go thorugh it all with w fine toothcomb to allocate time to things like work, study, family time etc.

Its a bit like doing a budget but for time rather than money. I have just sat my last exam through the OU and its taken me (on and off) 20 years to get here! You can do it! Just take it as it comes. No one ever said it would be easy but it will be worth it.

Good luck

Mara69

Desperate_Housewife wrote: »

I have just sat my last exam through the OU and its taken me (on and off) 20 years to get here! You can do it! Just take it as it comes. No one ever said it would be easy but it will be worth it.

Congratulations on completing your studies!

Sadly, with the new transitional fees, the pressure is on to complete a degree within a set timescale in order to continue paying the lower fees. £2,500 per module is going to be out of most people's reach, I fear.

Certainly, I doubt that Falko will ever complete his degree.

falko89

Mara69 wrote: »

Congratulations on completing your studies!

Sadly, with the new transitional fees, the pressure is on to complete a degree within a set timescale in order to continue paying the lower fees. £2,500 per module is going to be out of most people's reach, I fear.

Certainly, I doubt that Falko will ever complete his degree.

Thanks for vote of confidence.

Mara69

falko89 wrote: »

Thanks for vote of confidence.

Welcome!

Might i remind you that you want to leave weekends free for the family?

falko89

Mara69 wrote: »

Welcome!

Might i remind you that you want to leave weekends free for the family?

Well that was the plan, sadly its not working out like that.

x.x.x.

I'm currently working 35 hrs a week, and have just completed 2 level 2 courses at the same time - I have just started another level 2 course, and will be starting 2 x level 3 ones in feb.. It is all about organisation (I admit that I don't have kids), and ensuring that your family understand why you are doing it, and are supportive. Can you not devote say, a sunday to the family, and do uni work throughout the week and on a Saturday? How many hours a night do you sleep? I used to get 9 or so hours a night, now I usually get around 6 (although I have been known to only have 4 when deadlines have been approaching!), which allows more studying time (plus your kids may still be in bed if you get up early )

Dunroamin

As your children are young, can't you do some study in the evening when they're in bed and your wife's at work?

Rueben_2

If he's on minimum wage then surely compulsory overtime would take him below this? (unless it's paid).

OP: Can you cut a deal with your employer to work through part of your lunch? Judging by your hours I'd guess you're on a 40-hour week with a 1 hour lunch. Why not cut that to half an hour per day and you're then comfortably putting in your 2 hours+ per week.

Certainly juggling will be required with a job, OU and childcare, but it's not the employer's problem to make sure of this. Similarly the employer needs to ensure that their employees doing overtime isn't putting them in contravention to the NMW (especially if it's compulsory).