It’s the end of an era! At the end of May, I clicked to submit my assignment for the very last time on my BA (Hons) Social Sciences (Geography) degree. I first started studying for an undergraduate degree and life has been quite an adventure since I began. Things haven’t always been straightforward (both life and studying). Still, with a lot of determination and support from family and friends, I’ve finally made it to the end. It feels weird and I miss studying already (I know, I know…) I’m starting to feel a sense of achievement, but I don’t think that will truly arrive until I receive my results in 3 weeks time. So, for now, I’m going to reflect on the journey while I anxiously wait!
2012 – W100: Rules, rights and justice: an introduction to law
When I started my undergraduate degree, I was actually working towards a law degree with the goal of becoming a solicitor. As such, my first module was W100: Rules, rights and justice: an introduction to law. I really enjoyed it and loved the in-person tutorials (ahh, pre-Covid times before tutorials all seemingly went online) where we could really get in depth with our discussions and learning. I learnt a lot about the basics of law and it seemed a really good foundation for my LLB.
2013 – DD102: Introducing the social sciences
For the second first stage module towards my law degree, I chose DD102: Introducing the social sciences. I was drawn in by the number of subjects it covered to explain how contemporary society in the UK has been and continues to be shaped. I know the mention of City Road in Cardiff evokes bad memories for a lot of people who studied it. However, I really enjoyed it!
2015 – DD206: The uses of social science
I had a year away from studying so that I could focus on my IT career and personal life, including reevaluating whether I wanted to continue studying law or change to social sciences as I had enjoyed my second module so much that it almost didn’t feel like studying. After also focusing on my personal life in that year, I decided to do the latter. When I began DD206 at the start of October 2015, I was a first time mum to Autumn and didn’t know that she was about to fall seriously ill. Somehow, despite this and having my own health issues (physically and mentally) during this time, I managed to soldier on through. It was also while I was studying DD206 that I created this blog!
2022 – DST206: Environment: sharing a dynamic planet
I missed studying, but there wasn’t really any room for it in my life for a few years due to having children and the jobs I had. I was concerned about when I would be able to continue my degree, but was determined that I would complete it. Then, my husband suddenly changed jobs which made it necessary to leave mine. However, the silver lining was that this gave me the time I needed to return to my studies! Upon my return to the OU, you could choose specific pathways in social science to specialise in (I don’t think they were a ‘thing’ before). After some consideration, I chose geography. I have a strong interest in climate change and human geography, so DST206 looked like something that I could really get my teeth into. It gave me a really good overview of the causes of climate change and what could be done about it, as well as highlighting controversies about potential resolutions.
2023 – DD319: Environmental policy in an international context
I had to go back to work, but fortunately I could still just about make the time to study. For the first of my level 3 modules, this module looked the perfect fit for me. I was compelled by finding out about environmental policies and sustainable development. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I found myself doing a lot of additional independent study. Five Times Faster by Simon Sharpe was a particular favourite of the books I picked up. I was especially pleased about this as it was an impulsive purchase at New Scientist Live in London! I think everyone involved in governments and big businesses contributing massively to climate change should read it, really digest it and pull their socks up instead of thinking about money. Too much to ask? It shouldn’t be…what’s the point in putting profit over the planet? I know what’s more important for my grandchildren to inherit.
You could say I’m pretty passionate about it. I’m sure that helped me to achieve another distinction. This was despite the stress and grief of my Nan’s declining health and losing her at the end of the academic year.
2024 – DD318: Social theory: changing social worlds
For my final level 3 module, I decided to change things up a little with another social sciences module, DD318. I began the academic year in a cloud of grief. However, I think studying helped bring some normality back to my life. It was fascinating to learn how many interactions and situations we experience in everyday life are taken for granted, but there is so much to it when you look beneath the surface through the lens of different concepts. My way of thinking has changed from this module too. I had never previously considered the issue of intersectionality before. Inequalities I face as a woman are different from those of a black woman, and how her inequalities differ from those of a black man.
I’m really hoping I might have got a distinction on this module too, but time will tell! I can’t wait now to find out what grade I got for DD318, but also my overall classification.
It has taken a lot of self-motivation, dedication and support to get here. For the most part, studying with th eOU has been a brilliant experience with excellent tutors. The flexibility it has afforded me to study around my life has been amazing.
Cover photo by Unseen Studio on Unsplash