Why I chose the Open University.

Hey  guys. In my bio I state that i am in university doing a primary education degree. But I am not doing it in a conventional brick university. I am studying my degree online with the open university. 

You now know that last year my father died and I found it very hard to continue in school and do my exams. I resat my first year and did my exams a year later than my friends did. But by this time they were all getting ready for university, planning, waiting for their confirmation. And I was stuck. I knew my exam marks weren't going to be the best because I had lost all motivation to do them. I still loved school and learning but knew that my time in sixth form was coming to an end.  

So after my final exam I went online. Searching for something I could do with just my AS levels(and welsh baccalaureate). I found college courses to do child care and things like that but I wasn't prepared to just settle to spend the next 3 years getting qualifications to then need to go to university. 

I then stumbled upon The Open University. I had a look to see if this could be an option and if I could do it with my little qualifications. It seemed to give me the freedom to get a job, do student things but also to learn at my own pace. I have a little hectic life (as you can see by my not so frequent and regular blog posts). I chose this because it was truly the best option for me. 

Next thing I know I'm enrolled waiting for October 1st to start my course. I then had to do the normal thing of doing student finance to help pay for it. I was accepted and knew this was now my way in. 

But in the back of my mind I knew that I was going to have to inform the school of my decision to leave. This terrified me because it wasn't my teacher's fault that I wanted to leave. It was my own choice made from my eagerness to strive for something bigger. More challenging.

If any of you and finding it hard to finish a levels with good grades and don't think you're going to get into university I definitely recommend looking into the open university. There is a whole community of students from all walks of life and using social media you can connect to them and gain help from them as well as your tutor. 

  

But my fear went away when I stepped into a meeting with my head of year and my mum. I knew that this was the right decision and so could my teacher. She knew that school was no longer a place for me.

I loved school and still do, my teachers, my friends. I had a mixed experience at school, I was bullied, I didn't fit in, I wasn't overly good at anything special and I had no self confidence. But comprehensive school were some of the best years of my life. I cherish the memories I have from there, I cherish the friendships I gained and I will always be thankful to the teachers I had there. They have shaped who I am today and I will always be proud to say that I went to school there. 

For everyone that says that primary or secondary school were the worst time of their life, I can see where you are coming from, from my own experience, but I urge you to try and see past that and try to see what good happened to you there. Even if it was just that you found a hidden talent you had, of your friend went there too. Something to make a bad thing positive. 

How were your times in secondary school? Did you enjoy it? Feel free to email me or comment below.

Happy Blogging,

Sophie May

xoxo