Back to School

Well, I’ve done it, just started two courses with the Open University yay! The courses officially started yesterday (Sat 1st May) and I’m very nervous but at the same time very excited. I’m studying ‘Listening to Music’ and ‘Shakespere: an introduction’. It’s been a few years now since I did any studying, in fact the last bit of studying I did (completed the courses in full) was with the OU in 2004. Back then I did two short courses in sciences ‘Studying Mammals’ - based on the popular tv series with Sir David Attenborough, and ‘Global Warming’. That was back when I was really interested in conservation and animal behaviour. I still have a keen interested in these subjects, but now time has gone on and I really feel it’s time to seriously knuckle down and aim for a degree.

After thinking long and hard over a long period, I decided to follow my heart and study towards a degree in Arts & Humanities, or maybe an open degree where my subject area will be more varied). I know it’s going to take time and patience and that it won’t by any means be easy, but those of you who know me well will know I’m a determined soul and will give it my best shot.

There are so many subjects I’m interested in though, and over the years since leaving school in 1994 I’ve done many various college courses including media studies, business administration and sound engineering to name but a few. But if I was asked where I would like to be job wise in a few years, I think I’d have to say either as a sound technician in a theatre, a charity fundraising officer or teach music in some way (maybe teach music to children with special needs). I also wouldn’t mind trying my hand at writing, I know I’m not that good a writer as I know I tend to ramble on and on a bit in my blogs and they can be a bit long but..... I’m sure I can learn these skills as I go along with my studies. I hope to complete a course with the OU in creative writing at some point too. But alas, I’m starting from scratch at the moment, and so have to take things step by step.

I chose Listening to Music, for obvious reasons - my love of music. And as for Shakespere, well I’ve always been curious about the subject but sadly can’t recall even studying him in school which I think is really quite sad - English was my favourite subject at school too. So, I’d like to give it a go and see what it’s like. I know at the moment it’s all a bit overwhelming, and it may take me a bit more time than the other students on this course to take things in, but I’m there for the same reason as they are, to learn. Hopefully we can learn from each other too. I must admit I did feel a bit intimidated and overwhelmed by the Shakespere course when I was reading the course website and lots of the other students were already talking ‘Shakespere’ and had said they’d already made a start on the course. I thought ‘ooo-eck, I’m going to be so behind here, I haven’t got a clue what’s going on’ but the more I read, and started to join in with the discussions the better I felt.

My only worry now is fitting everything in, my daily routine looking after my skin is a challenge in itself, but there’s also all the other usual every day things to do and of course my little boy to look after. I’ve had a brief chat with another student who has three children and is doing a degree in Child Psychology I think and has started the Shakespere course in addition. She’s been great in reassuring me it can be done, and I feel much better for that so thank you :-)

Anyway, onwards and upwards. Can’t wait to really get stuck in with these courses, I just hope my worries and fears about it all fade soon once I get going with it all.

Wish me luck :-)