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My Open University journey (so far)

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 I finished my first undergraduate degree in zoology in Summer 2020, right in the middle of the first coronavirus lockdown, and then immediately began my PGCE in secondary biology. Teaching didn't work out for me, and I've had a couple of jobs in between then, and now work at a university doing admin work. When teaching didn't work out, I wasn't sure what to do. I loved teaching and education, but hated the school system. I missed studying, but didn't want to pursue zoology further. I started to think about my education history and where I wanted to go.  I'd initially started a physics degree in 2015, but changed to zoology after a year. My mental health was the worst it had ever been, and I'd missed too much to pass first year. I felt embarrassed, and afraid to tell my parents I'd have to resit the year, so I changed course instead. I chose zoology on a whim, and whilst it was really interesting, I just kind of always knew it wasn't for me in the lo...
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How I fit my studies around a full-time job

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Deciding to go to university is always in part a financial decision, but starting a university (or any level of education) course a bit later in life can be even more difficult. Once you have more financial responsibility, such as having dependents (like children), rent or a mortgage and bills to pay, it's not always easy to find a way to make studying work.  I struggled to make ends meet whilst studying for my first degree. I was technically an estranged student, but with no real "proof", so I wasn't entitled to any further support. At one point I had three jobs, and I missed most of my lectures because I had to go to work. I didn't enjoy university, and a huge part of this was the constant worrying about finances. I still managed to graduate, but the subject wasn't right for me, and after rediscovering my love for space and finding out about the Open University (OU), I signed up to their Combined STEM programme. I work full-time at a university, with two wor...
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My education journey (so far)

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 I'm a perpetual student, and at this point I don't ever intend to stop studying in some capacity. I'm always learning, whether I'm currently enrolled on a course or not, and education is one of my biggest hobbies and passions.  I've always loved learning, ever since I started school. Unfortunately, school became a very unhappy place for me as a result of bullying, but learning provided an escape from my school and home lives that has always stuck with me.  I'm inspired by so many subjects and topics and it's always been hard for me to narrow down my studies so much. I want to study anything and everything, and I have tried to follow an educational journey that will allow me to study across as many disciplines as I can.  My education journey so far has been difficult, and I lost my love for learning for a few years whilst I struggled with my mental health. After university, I briefly worked as a teacher, and although this career didn't work out for me, i...
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