Blink.
I’m 1/3rd the way through my second degree already.
I can’t quite believe how fast that has happened. One minute I’m coming to the end of my 143rd free Open Learn course – alright that’s a slight exaggeration but work with me here please – and the next, I’m awaiting the results from my second year (level 1) modules on an Open University BSc Physics course.
I’m often asked, “how do you fit it all in Dan?” and I suppose that’s a fair question. It does take a fair bit of effort and organisation to commit to a degree around both a full-time and part-time job, writing, running and family. So, I’ve put a bit of thought into how and why I’ve done so well to date (we won’t talk about calculus) and I think it comes down to a combination of the following:
I picked a subject I would have read about anyway – and in fact have been for several years via popular science books. I’m an avid reader of many genres, but I’ve read a lot of books in the areas of physics and mathematics that I’m interested in. I also subscribe to various magazines including New Scientist.
I’ve started each new academic year early, four weeks before the official start date in fact, which has given me breathing room for ‘life’ to happen during the year. During the first year this meant that I was always two units ahead in the reading/course material and the tutorials were more like revision or an opportunity to ask questions. However, during year two I finally caught Covid, after successfully dodging it for four years, and was out of action for nearly three weeks. It was during this time that the head start really paid off as it meant I never got behind with the course material.
I have a schedule. I study every day for 1-2 hours before work, and then again most evenings – that tends to leave the weekends a little free-er for flying, family time and exercise (is free-er even a word?). That sounds a lot around a full-time job but it doesn’t feel like work for the most part as I’m so interested in the material. Don’t get me wrong I’ve been tired, and sometimes a little overwhelmed but I think my enthusiasm for the subject has really helped here. Essentially I haven’t been sitting there doing it, thinking “I could be watching Netflix instead.”
I approach each assignment with the mindset of gaining every possible mark. Carefully reading each question, looking at the marks assigned and working out what I need to show in order to get full marks. On the subject of assignments, I start them as soon as they are available and submit them as soon as I am happy. Not holding on to them to the deadline has meant less time for self doubt to creep in and the inevitable changes that then follow.
I’ve joined forums, Facebook groups, befriended like minded people on Twitter (yes I still call it Twitter…) and joined all the associations and university societies that are relevant:
- Institute of Physics
- Institute of Mathematics & its Applications
- Royal Astronomical Society
- British Astronomical Society
- UK Students for the Exploration of Space
- The OU Space Society
- OU Fusion
- M500 Society
This has given me connections, interesting talks, periodicals to read and events to attend that help to make the remote learning experience more real and involving.
The National Student Space Conference 2023 in Manchester for example, was a brilliant two day event where I got to meet and network with a lot of people I had only met virtually before. I also had a great time meeting people at New Scientist Live 2023, and will be attending again this year.
I’ve always loved learning, and really enjoyed my first degree, but the opportunity to do a second degree in a subject I’m just fascinated by has really supercharged that learning gene inside me and I simply can’t get enough. Science, and in particular physics, is also a great leveller when you’re feeling stressed about work or family or something else, as it can help to take a breath, pause and remember: we are all just made of atoms forged in the heart of stars millennia ago, and that in the grand scheme of the universe, none of this stuff really matters.
Doing a part time degree course around full time work and life does require discipline and it is a lot of work, but if you have picked a subject you love anyway, it definitely helps to keep you motivated and make it less work and more ‘wow I didn’t know that!’, and for me, it doesn’t get better than that!
Dan Roach Flying Author 