Megan

Studying for the first time in almost 20 years for a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Accounting and Finance, while raising a family, running a design business and volunteering, Megan has been sharing her experience of spinning several plates at once as a student content creator for The Open University (OU).  

Aged 35 and living in Falkirk, Megan explains that she is creating the kind of social media content that she found helpful when deciding to study.

“I think it’s really important,” she says. 

“I know when I was researching the OU before enrolling, I was trying to find as many stories as I could, especially from parents. 

“I think for the OU to give students that platform and the freedom they give the creators is amazing.”  

Megan decided to apply to the OU after feeling “in a bit of a rut with work”. 

Leaving school at aged 15, she says: “University wasn’t on the cards at all, as I thought I wouldn’t be able to with my school grades, but I found the OU whilst looking and gave them a call.”

She adds: “I still feel a bit of imposter syndrome, as I never thought I would get this chance. 

Being able to study in my 30s is such an opportunity.”

“Being limited because of decisions or grades you got when you’re a teenager shouldn’t be the case.

“When I left school, I think it was mostly down to wanting some independence and just wanting to work and earn money. 

“I think a lot of people don’t know what they want to do at that age.

“Being able to study in my 30s, having more of an idea and life experience regardless of my past qualifications, is such an opportunity.”

‘Study anywhere’

Access to the Part-Time Fee Grant made it possible for Megan to study for a degree, as she explains: “If I wasn’t eligible, I’m not sure what I would have done. 

“We were trying to buy a house, and my partner is also self-employed. It’s definitely been a life saver.”

Looking after her children aged eight and 12 and running a successful signwriting business, the ability to study remotely and flexibly has been crucial for Megan.

“For me, studying around the kids is probably the biggest challenge,” she shares. 

“It’s been a lot of late nights or studying in the car during football training, but being able to study anywhere allows me to stay on top of it.”

Megan was nervous returning to study, but she shares: “I remember at one of my first tutorials there were so many other students saying the same thing.

“I think the support you get at the start on how to study and the module material is really beneficial. 

“All my tutors have been amazing too. A lot of them have studied themselves so know exactly what you are dealing with.”

‘More confident in running my business’

Now two years into her degree, Megan is looking towards returning to work full-time in the future.

She comments: “I think especially for parents or those who have been out of work for a while it can feel really intimidating. 

I think achieving my degree will change my life.”

“Even though I’m at the start of my second year, I get updates via email on opportunities available from the OU and events being held online.

“This makes me feel less anxious about when it comes closer to finishing my course.

“It’s made me more confident in running my business and although I’m not sure where that path is going, my partner is very excited that I’m going to be able to help him with his business more too!”

Looking to achieving her degree, Megan concludes: “I think it will change my life. 

“It’s such a contrast to what I’ve been doing the past 10 years and will allow me to get a new career.

“I’m keeping an open mind about what to do after, although it will be accounting-related. I think forensic accounting sounds really interesting and challenging!”