PowerSwitch

Hi All.

Anyone got any experience of Open University course.

Was looking at some of the Environment based ones (http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/classifi ... nment.shtm).

I probably can't afford to go out of full time employment at the moment, hence looking at OU stuff to do in what little spare time I have.

I don't think I'll get the time to get through to the end of the BSc for example before TSHTF... but I'm wondering if I can get through enough to maybe of any use.

The only other thing I was thinking off was some form of Agricultural course.

Good luck! I started doing a degree (but not in the field you wish to pursue)but be warned they demand a considerable pound of flesh from you!

I started doing a 30 pointer module which should only take about 8 hours a week (yeah pull the other one), I ended up doing 10-14 hours a week. You've got to be really, really organised and motivated and you must have loved ones etc on board as you will end up a monk for the best part of the year!

My biggest gripe with the OU is that it's not designed for people like me who work in private industry and work a regular 9-5 existence. In fact in my 20+ years of working I've never met anyone else doing one (and I've worked in a fair few firms). I went along to a couple of the evening tutorials and my suspicions were confirmed when all the people there were a) retired b) were working part time due to one reason or another c) young people who decided not to go to uni full time d) civil servants.
All the above had one common factor: plenty of time to do their studying (civil servants get flexi time, days off for study leave etc).

Saying all that - the standard of the courses are very high and the tutors are friendly and yes it gets the brain cells thinking and yes you do get a deep sense of achievement at the end of the module but it isn't for the faint hearted.

I've changed tack now since PO has come more to the fore (and age plays a role as well, I would be 46(ish) by the time I graduated and let's face it, what are the chances of getting a payback for all the time and effort?). I've started an RHS diploma (Royal Horticultural Society) and over the next 2 years or so will be doing short courses in bricklaying, carpentry, plastering etc. I do like the idea of being a "man for all seasons"!

I hope this helps and if you are in the same position as I am (or do considerably more than a 35 hour week) then perhaps the agricultural course may be more relevant.

Bobthebaker.

Thanks for your input...
A little younger than you (31), but currently in one of those 9-5 (yeah, right) jobs in IT.

IT/Telecoms is boring me stupid (as I see little point in it now, with PO... except for software that could be involved in renewables energy etc), which why I want out. However, for now it's paying me well.

May have a look at this RHS stuff.

Though, as you say... by the time I've completed the courses... it may all be too late.

Yes you would be 38- 40 before you graduated and you must get a payback so any degree must be marketable (otherwise leave it until you retired).

Not wishing to state the obvious but the RHS diploma is for those keen on gardening and it is helpful if you have a garden (although not mandatory for the course).

For anything agricultural based please look at this site for some ideas -
http://www.hadlow.ac.uk/.

I've just gone back to uni part time, after a 12 year break. I never finished my degree 1st time round as I kept having children!

I'm doing Environmental Management at my local uni in Preston and loving it so far. I looked at the environmental stuff at the OU & the courses looked great, but I know I work better with contact on a weekly basis. I don't manage my time very well otherwise & I like learning in the classroom environment.

I'll be around 42 when I finish depending how quickly I do it, but don't see that as a problem. I'm doing it for me because it's something I'm interested in & I'm sure I'll get loads out of it whatever age I am.

Gavin, just decide what interests you and what way you will learn best & go for it. But be prepared to put a lot of time aside for reading & other research.

Just got back into looking at this again. (Was away in Japan visiting in-laws... yes, I know, guilty as charged of increasing my Carbon Footprint).

The things at Hadlow looked interesting... but location is a bit of a pain for me. Really need to have something I can do remotely.

Just been looking at http://www.hccollege.co.uk/courses.asp
They offer RHS courses that can be done remotely, which suits me.
Wouldn't mind doing that Japanese Gardens course
... can just see me and wifey chilling out in the garden in Kimono's ... but as pretty as they are, Japanese gardens aren't so good on the food production front.

Right... looks like OU vs RHS Level 2 Cert. Decisions, decisions