Is home study worthwhile?

annandarren

hi,
I started studying with the ou last year, I started with an openings course to see if it was for me and am now doing a 60 pt course and another openings course, I am hoping to count them towards a degree that I can use to help me get a job in a school when youngest starts school in a couple of years time.
I really enjoy it and find it god to be able to do something while I am at home with kids that will benefit them in the future.
apparantly employers look very favourably on the qualifications you earn at the ou beacause you have to have motivation to stick with it.
hope this helps you to decide.
anna xx

Lorne

I just wanted to say that I was a late studier (older than you!), held back for years because I thought I was too old to learn. Don't let your age stop you, there were people in my class 30 years older than me and they didn't look out of place. It is a totally different environment as the people there want to learn and it is a fabulous environment. Home study is tougher as you need to be very disciplined as I've found this year, I much prefer having other students to study with and learn with.

Good luck with it and you are not too old!

Lorna x

GirlRacer_2

Ive done home study courses with Oxford Open Learning - I did a GCSE in SOciology. However it was problematic sitting the exam. My local college operates under the WJEC examination board and this exam was through the SEB, Had to do all the setting up myself and the college just acted as a room for me to sit the exam.

I've also studied with Learning curve where I done a diploma in Gardening and also a Diploma in Teachers Assistance.

Have also used the Home Learning College where I've done a diploma in counselling drug and alcohol abusers and am currently doing Hospitality Management.

I tend to do courses that interest me. I don't know whether I'll ever use them but they certainly keep my brain active.

Tigsteroonie

juno wrote: »

I have found that people take me more seriously now they know I'm studying, and I think it's improved my self esteem too. So it's not just what you learn on the course that counts.

I am also studying with the OU (seems there's a lot of us here!), started with one of their 10pt Openings courses, am now on a 60pt Science course; long-term goal is a degree, I still can't decide which specialism but - hey! - that's the benefit of the OU.

I would definitely agree with the "being taken more seriously" quote, particularly on job application forms - even though I don't have the degree yet, simply putting down that I am studying for it seems to open previously-closed doors.

msmicawber

Yes, home study is definitely worth it. It is expensive, though, so I'd recommend checking your local colleges to see what evening/adult education courses they have. They often do A levels and diploma courses and are a lot cheaper than the home study courses. You'll get more support and advice if you're attending a course than if you're studying by yourself at home. With the home study courses, you tend to get a tutor who you can e-mail or ring, but it's not the same.

Also, if you're interested in studying an A level that has a practical/experimental element, this can be quite hard to do at home since you can't always get hold of the chemicals or equipment whereas a college will have what you need (and technicians to set it up!).

The assessments can be awkward with ICS etc. as you either have to attend their centres to take the exams (which can be a long way from where you live), or make arrangements with a local school to treat you as an external candidate and invigilate your exams. I did this and it worked very well, but involved a bit of phoning around and expense on my part.

I've taken (and passed!) two 'A' Levels using ICS and I'm in my 40s so it is possible and enjoyable, but if I were going to do it again I'd choose to go to evening classes or use Oxford Open Learning instead as it's cheaper, there's more support and encouragement, and I'd meet people.

poppyg_2

My brother did an A Level with Oxford Open Learning and he found it pretty good x