Epilogue

So here we are at last, four years after I started my first module, and it's time to reflect on the whole experience.

It started back in 2010, when I was so tired of work-related foreign travel, that when a recruitment agency called me to ask if I'd be interested in applying for a job which was locally based, I thought "why not". The money on offer was considerably less than I was already on and to be honest the job was somewhat below my level, such that I could probably have done it in my sleep. I told the agency to go ahead and send in my CV. A couple of days later the agency called me to say the company wouldn't interview me because I didn't have a degree! 29 years of experience didn't count for anything.

In one sense, I can both understand and sympathise with that company's position. When there are many people applying for a job, there has to be some sort of first-pass filter, and a degree can be just that. But to have any chance of landing a new job, you have to first get through the door. I immediately decided that a lack of a degree was a barrier I no longer wished to have and started to look into degree programs with the OU.

I wanted to obtain my degree as fast as possible, because I felt my age was against me (approaching 50 at the time), and as such, figured I needed to do something computer related in order to use my experience and minimise the study hours required. However, I couldn't face a degree that was entirely computing-based, because after 30-ish years I was becoming slightly jaded with the industry. Eventually I chose to combine computing with another subject, in this case Mathematics.

I did have doubts about the Maths element, because to be frank, I was rubbish at Maths at school. I distinctly remember wondering if I'd actually answered enough questions to pass my O-Level Maths (I must have done, because I did scrape though that and subsequently through Additional Maths too). I'm quite sure that any of my old Maths teachers (should they still be alive) would have a coronary on the spot if they heard I now hold a BSc (Hons) made up of 50% Mathematics, so hopefully none of them discover this blog.

So that was how it started, and this blog has tracked my progress along the way, so I won't say any more about that. There have been ups and downs, and at times I've doubted myself, but I've always managed to overcome whatever obstacles fell in my path. My family, especially my wife, has been incredibly supportive of me, and I owe them a debt of gratitude. They have been on the receiving end of my grumpiness for 4 years and I really have no good excuse for that.

The OU tutors were in the main fantastic, especially the Maths tutors who were top notch. I didn't really find the need to call on the computing tutors, except for the one who was assigned to me for my final project (TM470). This was the one time I needed some help and that particular tutor turned out to be the worst of the worst, both arrogant, and rude. In fact I was on the verge of quitting I had such problems with him, so if he's reading this and recognises himself, I'd like to say "thanks for nothing". He can take pleasure in knowing that my success is in no way due to any help on his part.

So to the cost of it all. I was at least fortunate enough to start my degree program prior to the tuition fee increase, which meant I was able to complete the degree under transitional funding. It cost me almost £6000 out of my own pocket, but I calculated that if I was starting today, it would have been closer to £18,000. I can safely say, at the new fees I would never have started. The cost would simply not have been worth it to me, and there is no way that I'd be considering a student loan at 50+ years of age. At one of my exams, I met a lady who was in her late 70's studying for a Masters in Maths, and good on her I say, but would someone that age be forking out for modules at todays prices I wonder? I really don't know.

I was asked by a couple of students who graduated at the same time as me if I'd enjoyed the whole experience, and I have to say that I didn't really. I started too late in life and crammed the study into too short a time frame. This meant my personal life suffered too much. Holding down a demanding full time job whilst doing almost the same study workload as a full-time student is just too much (although in my 3rd year I studied 120 credits and still managed to ride over 10,000 km on my bike). Plus, I didn't enjoy much of the computing side, I was simply going through the motions to get the credits I needed.

The Mathematics was a massive challenge for me, and I'm pretty proud of my performance on that side. Especially gratifying for me, is, that I've since been able to help my daughter with her A-Level studies a couple of times. That is a nice feeling, and something that I would not have been in a position to do 4 years ago.

I think it's unlikely that I'll keep in touch with the OU, simply because I have too much other stuff going on in my life. Right now I'm enjoying spending more time playing my guitar, cycling, running and messing with electronics, all of which I do without feeling guilty for not studying!

I have however enrolled on a 10 week electronics course at coursera.org but it's simply for my own hobby interests and there is no real pressure. Who knows where that might lead me though.

Anyway, that's it, I'm done. I started the blog really to keep a record of my own progress, but if anyone else got anything from reading it, then that's a bonus.

The Graduation Ceremony

Today I attended (even participated) in my graduation ceremony. It was held at Bridgwater Hall in Manchester. The most stressful part of the day was actually travelling there in the rush-hour, but in the end I was in the hall with 15 minutes to spare before we were supposed to be seated. It was only about 30 miles from where I live, but the journey took 2 1/4 hours!

It all went without fuss really, and I didn't get a great deal out of it to be honest, but it was nice that I could share the day with my wife, children (more young adults by now) and parents especially since my Dad has been unwell recently.

There were a bunch of honorary graduates in the program, although none of them were actually at the event that I saw. It was nice to see that David Braben was awarded for services to arts and sciences. He is of course famous for the computer game Elite on the old BBC micro from the 80's. This was one of the handful of computer games I ever owned or played (never did make Elite status though). Anyway, a bit of a computer super-hero if there is such a thing.

So I took my place in the queue along with a few hundred others and stepped up on stage to get my handshake and a tube containing something (later found to be a USB stick with OU links on it), and after a couple of hours it was all over.

Then we left my son in Manchester where he is currently studying at the University and the rest of us made our torturous way home in the car, stopping off for a pub lunch on the way.

So that's it. Now I feel I can draw a line under the whole thing. I will write one more blog post after I've had time to let today sink in, and then I will bring this blog to a close.

Degree certificate and graduation photographs

Yesterday my degree certificate arrived in the post. I wasn't actually expecting it, as I thought it would be presented to me at the graduation ceremony (next Friday the 10th October) but I guess they must just hand you a rolled up 'fake' at the ceremony.

So now I have the certificate in my grubby hands at last. All that work for one sheet of paper!

Last weekend the photographers held an advance session for the graduation photographs, so I took that opportunity to head over and get that over and done with. I must admit I felt (and probably looked) a real clown in the robe and silly hat. Not a comfortable experience for me at all.

This may be my penultimate post on this blog. I will probably write another entry after the degree ceremony, and possibly an epilogue summing up my experience over the four years, then I'll be done.

Degree offered (and accepted)

Today I was offered and accepted my degree. This is what it said on my student home page...

You have been awarded an Upper Second-class Honours (2.1)

I was never exactly sure what the title would be, but here it is...

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing & Information Technology and Mathematics

And I can use the following letters after my name...

BSc (Hons) CITS (Open)

All a bit of a mouthful but there you have it.

Ceremony, gown and photography is duly booked and will take place in October, after which I will write the final post in this blog and lay it to rest for evermore. No more education for me.

It's all over, finished, done, mission accomplished

Today I took a peek at my OU student homepage, and my exam results were up 8 days ahead of schedule. I was delighted with my results which was a grade 2 pass in both MT365 and M336.

I had been more than a little afraid that I might have flunked M336, but my score was actually better than that from MT365 (73% vs 71%). OK, I obviously just scraped a grade 2 in each, but that doesn't matter now. The result is what counts.

I'm feeling a bit numb currently, so I won't say any more for now. I might sink a couple of cold beers tonight to celebrate though.

My first OU-free day in almost 4 years

It's 6:30am, the sun is shining and I'm about to start the first day where I can go about my business without feeling guilty that I'm not doing something related to my studies, and right now that feels pretty good.

Since October 2010 there has not been one single day where I have not been in the middle of some module or other. This has been because in every year except 2014 I have had modules that ran both from October to June and February to October, so there has been no respite, even over the summer. Try selling that to a student at bricks-and-mortar university.

Sadly, I have to go to work, but hey-ho, you can't have it all good.

M336 Exam

It finally came around, the one I'd been looking forward to like a trip to the dentist.

Four years work all riding on one stinking three hour exam. I only need a pass, just 40% will do. If there is any justice in the world the OU will grant me that small mercy.

The paper wasn't too bad as they go, but whether I have done enough I can't say. I've struggled all year with M336, and I did my best. 'nuff said.

Six weeks hence I will know, but first I have some life to catch up on.