In eleven days time, I finally graduate. After four and a half years, four exams, one wild residential week in Bath, three research projects and countless assignments, I can finally proudly say that I have a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Psychology through the Open University.
Yay, it’s official!
And it feels amazing. For the majority of that time, I was juggling study with working full-time. Evenings and weekends were spent with my nose in a book, on the laptop or – in that final horrible module – painfully transcribing every word, breath and pause of two half-hour long interviews.
Mr Fletche would look on hopefully every time I put a book down – maybe he would get his wife back for a little time this evening? TV programmes remained unwatched, non-psychology books remained unread, each weekend outing was weighed up against the time that could be spent studying. And yet, the knowledge that I was learning something new, something that could be useful in my future career, kept me going. I hadn’t gone to University after school; I’d gone out into the big wide world of work. I’d never regretted the decision, but I felt that there was a gap on my CV which should be filled with more than a handful of GCSEs.
Choosing the Open University was a no-brainer for me. I knew I could be organised and disciplined enough to balance my work, study and personal life. I knew it would provide me with enough support to guide my studies, but with enough flexibility for me to study at times which were convenient for me. And I knew that despite the so-called distance learning, I would make lifelong friends through tutor groups, Facebook forums – and those that cheered my terrible karaoke on that wonderful week in Bath.
(Marginally better than this)
And as I sip champagne on my graduation morning, slip into my new dress and get ready to don that dark blue gown, I will thank all of those close to me that have supported me in every step of my journey – even when I was close to tears, even when I feared I had failed, even when I mis-read a simple question on one Level 2 assignment and answered a completely different question…
Birmingham Symphony Hall awaits. Photo from thsh.co.uk
And for those who have asked:
Yes – the Open University is a real degree
No – I cannot read your mind
Yes – men are obsessed with their penis
Congratulations on a job well done!
Thanks Rebecca!
Great blog post and many congratulations on your degree. A masters next?
Maybe! Used your notes throughout my journey Tim, they were invaluable 😀🎓
I love this. I am just starting my level 3s social psychology being the first so know exactly where you’re coming from. I have the transcribing to look forward to. Congratulations on your amazing achievement. X
Thanks Caroline…the project is hard work but really worth it when you pull it all together at the end! Good luck 😀🎓
Good on ya!!!
The last point, hahaha!
A wonderful achievement…well done!
Thanks Em, feel like I haven’t done anything useful with it since 😅
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I am so impressed. I worked part time throughout my studies and found it pretty knackering. I am always in awe of people that manage to get a degree while working full time.
Are you planning to change careers and use your shiny new degree? 🙂
I think any job that involves dealing with people benefits from a psychology degree! However this was always for me rather than for my career so no big plans to revolutionise my career just yet!
You’re right!
Hmmm…that probably means you should get a pay rise though eh? 😉
Well done you!! It takes fierce determination to do that!