I’ve Only Gone And Done It!

A little over twenty years ago I decided that I would like to go to university and get a degree.

This week, I finally got that degree.

So yes, it’s taken a while! I’ve written before about how I started this back when I was 21, completed a couple of years, and then it got shelved due to my career taking off and life getting a lot busier. I then realised that those early credits would expire if I didn’t use them before 2019, so the race was on for me to get another 4 modules in before then. With a little one still at home when this ‘race’ began, it was daunting picking it up again, but I am so glad that I did. I have absolutely loved it.

As I write this, the results are only just starting to sink in. This past year I have completed two of my favourite modules and I achieved Distinctions on both of them, so I really couldn’t ask for more. It has been the perfect end to my degree. I have received the degree that I had been hoping for, an Upper Second-Class Honours.

How do I feel overall? Proud. Giddy. Emotional. Relieved. And a whole gamut of other things besides. Completing a degree around home and family commitments and my work here has been challenging, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way, it’s worked for me.

My family and friends have been so lovely, and I have to say a huge thank you to the Husband, who has supported me throughout this, taking the kids off out whenever I’ve needed study or revision time and listening (sometimes with just half an ear, but who can blame him?!) as I’ve debated and cogitated over assignments. He really is the very best of husbands.

I know that I am going to miss studying. I would normally be getting excited about receiving all of my module materials next month, keen to embark upon another year. It will feel strange not to have that. I have, of course, looked into a few Masters courses, but I am not going to leap into anything now, I’ll be having a study break (despite my best mate egging me on so we can get PhDs together!!).

While I get used to the idea that I have actually done this, I plan to revel in it. My mum took me out for afternoon tea yesterday, friends have treated me, and we are planning on going for a celebratory family meal at the weekend. Oh, and there will likely be chocolate and gin involved somewhere down the line, naturally.

If you’ve been following along with my Open University journey, then ‘thank you’. I have really appreciated all of the encouragement and support that I have had here and on social media throughout my modules. And if you’re one of my fellow Open University students, then I wish you every success, or if like me you’re considering becoming a mature student, then go for it!

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