Why I chose to study with The Open University

A sense of nervousness always tickles my thoughts when writing something that ventures beyond the natural parameters of my usual content because it’s not often that I introduce the other facets of my life to this blog, but as someone who could have benefited from reading about another young person’s choice of opting for a ‘non-conventional’ route after finishing school, I hope that someone else can benefit from reading what I have to say. 

WHY I CHOSE TO STUDY WITH THE OPEN UNIVERSITY 

I started studying with The Open University in February 2018 and I’ve just passed the half way point of my third module. But arriving at the gates to this new chapter wasn’t exactly a smooth journey – let’s chat about it, shall we?

At the end of 2016, I was in the periphery of my final year at sixth form and like everyone else, I was faced with the decision of what step to take next in my life.  

I was eyeing up a couple of journalism degrees with my heart set on becoming a writer and working in the media (it still is) but when it came to filling in my UCAS application, I could sense a kind of reluctance in my fingers when typing. I filled out all the necessary information but my thoughts were riddled with hesitation and so, a couple of days before the deadline, I kicked my application to the kerb and the personal statement I had invested hours into writing suddenly felt redundant. 

Some claimed that this wasn’t my brightest idea especially since I didn’t have a plan B set in stone. And although there was a hint of latent regret following my decision, the relief was instant because I knew that I had let go of something that I knew would have fuelled my deepest anxieties. 

I knew that I wouldn’t be invested in the traditional university experience as much as I would have liked to have been and so, spending thousands of pounds on something that I held this thought about didn’t seem worth it somehow. 

I think my regret would have grown if I hadn’t been so lucky as to secure my first job a few months later. But when I received the news that I’d be working as a Trainee Community Development Assistant for the RNIB for the next year, I really did believe that some things really do happen for a reason.  

September of 2016 marked my first month of work and a year of new experiences, personal development and the formation of new friendships and connections. 

8 or 9 months flashed by and it was time to determine the next step, again. Cue the ‘I have no idea what to do with my life’ panic.

A part of me was desperate to find another part-time job whilst another was still set on working towards and securing a degree but I knew, despite the fact that I had grown in confidence, that a conventional university still wasn’t for me – partly because I was quite skeptical of my vision impairment, the affects it was having on me at the time and how I was going to manage it, partly because I wasn’t sure how I was going to balance uni work with my ever fluctuating chronic illness and partly because I simply didn’t feel ready to take that leap. 

Social anxiety was a constant fixture for me during my time at school and, although it dissipated slightly when I entered the world of work, I was still very reluctant to propel myself into a situation that threatened to encourage it to thread through my thoughts with the force it did before. And, for some reason, my mind branded university as being one of those situations. 

It took me a few months to come to a final decision but as the pros list grew longer, I decided to sign myself up for a course in Arts & Humanities, specialising in English Language and Creative Writing. 

I was planning on starting in October 2017 but Student Finance and Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) proved to be a minefield so I didn’t start my degree until the following February. But this gave me enough time to figure everything out, put things in place and get my life together (somewhat) before embarking on the next chapter. 

I’ve been studying with the OU for nearly two years now, learning lots and putting too much pressure on myself in the process and, whilst a part of my mind wanders off to question how my life could have panned out if I chose to go down the conventional route, I’m happy with my decision. 

Sure, there’s an element of loneliness intertwined with the concept of studying from home and sometimes it feels like a catch 22 situation because of this: It can be isolating but I chose this path because I didn’t have the confidence to go down any other at the time, mainly out of fear that I’d be lonely in a room full of people like I did so many times before. 

I wish that the experiences I had when I was younger weren’t at the core of some of the decisions I’ve made during my life but some things just take time. When I was deciding my next step two and a half years ago, I knew I wasn’t ready for any drastic changes and I shouldn’t be embarrassed to admit that. 

There are positives to studying from home (and no, it’s not because it gives you the freedom to sit in your pyjamas when having an online tutorial at night, although that is a plus), it’s because there’s an air of satisfaction when you’ve managed to work solely on your own initiative. It allows you to develop on your self-awareness and a lot of other facets of yourself that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. 

I have to admit that I think a small part of me will always remain curious as to how my life could have panned out if I decided to follow the conventional route, if I’d paid the £25 UCAS fee instead of falling at the final hurdle. But I try to focus on the positives that this unique experience is giving me and be proud of all the things it’s allowing me to learn and the skills it’s giving me. 

When I first shared my decision to study with The Open University with people in my life, some expressed their worry that I would miss out on the key aspects of uni life and I heard those anxieties, loud and clear. 

But, in the long run, I know that it was the right decision for me. I never thrived in terms of my confidence in an educational environment, maybe that would have changed at university, who knows, but a little voice in my mind was telling me that I’d only be prolonging my misery if I chose a path that I didn’t have my heart set on.  

I’ve always felt a little different (not just because of my disability) and so, following the conventional route just didn’t feel natural to me. I wasn’t quite sure where my place was but I knew that it wasn’t in the midst of hundreds of students in a lecture hall. 

If I were to make the same decision now, I have a feeling that things would be different because I’ve tried to let my confidence grow instead of falter, I’ve become more aware of what helps me in terms of my vision impairment and I know my limitations when it comes to my chronic illness. But I do stand by the fact that I made the best decision I could make for myself when in that situation and I’m trying my best to do my past self proud of the choice she made. 

University is often painted to be the beginning of something incredible but, whilst some will appreciate the experiences and the freedom it allows them, it’s not for everyone and if, like me, you know in your heart that the natural path isn’t for you, you should know that’s ok. 

Perhaps the fact that I chose to study with The Open University reflects how reluctant I was to step out of my comfort zone a couple of years ago since I opted for the comfort of my own home and the reliability I sense in that space. But I also think it shows a form of courage because I was able to veer myself away from the norm and what was considered to be the natural step forward after sixth form. Yes, I’m still studying a degree so, in some ways, I’m still ticking a stereotypical young person box but I’m doing it in a different way and I think that’s what encourages the question in people’s voices. 

The point of me sharing my indifference towards my university choices is just to say that it’s ok to veer away from what is considered to be the natural step forward. There are so many paths to take these days and you shouldn’t be afraid to start venturing on a different one to others. 

I’m studying now because I love to learn and gaining a degree has always been an ambition of mine, I just didn’t want to follow the crowd in order to achieve it. And that’s ok. 

My choice might not have fallen into the traditional boundaries but it doesn’t make my journey to securing a degree any less legitimate. Choosing the OU was the healthiest option for me and it has ushered me towards a fresh mentality and a new way of working and I’m proud of that. 

What path did you decide to take after you left school/college? Are you also considering taking on a degree with The Open University? Or maybe you are or have done in the past, I’d love to know where you’re at. Whatever path you’re on or whatever one you’re planning on taking, I hope it makes you happy. You don’t have to follow the one that everyone else does just to fit in, that’s definitely one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned. Push the boundaries and do what feels right for you. 

Elin x