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.

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.

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.

MT365 exam

One down and one to go.

Just got back home after sitting the MT365 exam. Part one was OK, but part 2 was quite different to recent past papers and not what I was prepared for. Naturally, I ran out of time too and only attempted 2 out of the required 3 part 2 questions.

I'm fairly confident I will have done enough to pass, but it will be 6 weeks before I find out for sure.

M336 tomorrow.

My last TMA mark (ever?)

MT365 TMA04, my last TMA mark (ever I hope) ... wait for it ... 83%

Not great, but more than the 0% i needed to get a distinction level mark for OCAS. So my unofficial OCAS for MT365 (according to the grade predictor) is 91.4% before substitution and 92% after substitution.

I'm satisfied if a little underwhelmed.

Exam in 11 days time!

Final TMA for MT365 done, still some to go on M336

I completed the final TMA for MT365 this morning, and it's now in a sealed envelope ready for posting later today. 

I struggled with the final block on M336, and have a few gaps to fill in the TMA. I'm hoping that my next tutorial helps fill those gaps, so that will have to wait a couple of weeks. Worst case is I will hand it in semi-finished.

No more CMA's

Completed and submitted my final CMA for MT356 today. Another step towards the finish line!

M336 TMA03 marked, but what did I score?

The marked TMA03 dropped through the letterbox, but my tutor seems to have had some trouble with my final score, so it's not clear whether I got 91% or 88%, it's difficult to tell with all the crossings out and corrections on the summary sheet. Either way though, it's enough to get me the 70%+ for OCAS that I've been shooting for without the need to compete the final TMA (just as well, because I've hardly understood a jot of block 4 and I don't really understand the TMA questions either)

I'll have to wait until the mark appears online to find out what I really got.

2 x TMA03 complete

Last week I posted off both TMA03 papers, so now there are just 2 x TMA and 1 x CMA left, and of course the inevitable exams. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...

MT365 CMA43 marked

100%, so now I have 56.65% towards OCAS. I'm aiming for 70% which will give me a chance (however unlikely) of a grade 2 in the exam. Any higher than that is not going to have an effect on the overall outcome.

MT365 TMA02 marked

A couple of silly errors (missed answering a part) meant my score was reduced to a lowly 89%. Not that I care too much since that's still up in the distinction zone, and there ain't no way I'm going to get a distinction grade in the exam.

Calculating my overall score so far, I get 46.65% (before substitution) for OCAS, and that's already over the pass mark even if I don't hand in another paper, so I should be looking at well over 70% for OCAS in the end.

MT365 CMA43 done, one more CMA to go

I got this one in early by about 6 weeks, because I'm continuing with my 4 weeks on MT365 followed by 4 weeks on M366 strategy and had just about completed the MT365 block whilst answering this CMA as I went along. So now 3 of the 4 CMA's are done.

M336 TMA02 marked

99% WTF! I've never scored that high in a Maths TMA before, and what's more, I'm finding this module really tough. I was honestly expecting around 70% for this TMA, but I'll take 99% thank you very much.

This means I already have over the 40% I need for the OCAS part of this module. I can relax a little bit I think.

MT365 2nd CMA result

I scored 95% for this. I'm not sure where I went wrong, as I was half-expecting to get 100%. The feedback isn't available yet, so I'll have to check it later.

So 1 x TMA and 2 x CMA's are marked, and I've already got 33.3% towards the 40% required for a minimum pass of the OCAS (continual assessment) part. For me, it's really all about how well I perform in the exam, which is not usually that great with the maths.

Halfway there

Both TMA02's in the post, and CMA02 submitted before Xmas. This year is going fast. Just 5 months to the exams.

MT365 off to a good start too!

100% in CMA41. I think that's the first 100% I've had from memory (I can't be bothered checking back at this stage)

M336 off to a good start

My TMA01 came back in the post today just 2 days after the deadline for submission. That must be some sort of record. The result hasn't even appeared on my student homepage yet, which is a bit suspicious, but anyway according to the PT3 form I scored 95% which is probably another record (for me in a Maths TMA that is).

It's been a pretty good week all round for me regarding the OU, so things are certainly looking up.

First post of the academic year 2013/2014

It's been a while since I last posted. To be brutally honest, I've lost my motivation almost entirely. The problems I had with my tutor on TM470 have left me with a foul taste of all things OU related, and it's caused me to get off to a bad start on what is hopefully my final year. Just 2 math modules, and it's all over.

So, what's happened? not much really, I messed up my exam for M256 in October, so I'm not expecting the best of grades, and the less said about TM470 the better. Still, I can't change anything there, and I should have both of those results by the end of the month.

I've started both MT365 and M366, and am more or less enjoying one of those (MT365). I use the word 'enjoying' rather loosely, because I'd much rather be out riding my bike you understand!

Because I've been a bit slack on the studying, I've had to take a few days off work to ensure I get my TMA's and CMA's in on time. They all seem to come at once, so it's a bit of a struggle, but I just put my first CMA for MT365 in, and TMA01 for M366 is almost done. TMA01 for MT365 is in-progress, and hopefully I'll be somewhere near with it by the end of play tomorrow.

I've added a countdown section to the blog which just tracks the number of TMA's, CMA's and exams I have remaining. I'm hoping that as the numbers start to diminish, it will give me some further motivation.

That's all for now!

M208 Success!

This one means a lot to me. I may have only got a grade 3 pass, with the 63% I scored in the exam, but it really took some hard work on my behalf to achieve that.

I've repeatedly replied to friends and family, when asked, that I was in danger of failing this module, only to be met with a flippant "oh, you'll pass" in response, but I wasn't seeking encouragement, I was simply stating the truth, that failure was a real possibility.

In the end I took two weeks off work, and just practiced on past papers, and without this I'm sure the result would have been a different story altogether.

But hey, that's all my level-2 maths out of the way now, just two modules to finish off for this academic year, and then I will study my final two modules starting in October.