Time for a change in life, but how?!

[mrsgrumpy]

OU is getting quite expensive these days - it's worth looking at their 'open learn' materials to see if a subject is interesting to you. http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/

[Carrington]

Didn't you used to have a photography business? I thought your photos were fab.

[Bubble]

I have just finished (and passed ) a Level 3 Access Diploma at my local college. It is equivalent to A-Levels (and was bloody hard work). There is also a Level 2 Diploma which is GCSE equivalent - most people who did this then stayed on to do the Level 3.

Because of my Diploma I have been accepted at uni and start a nursing degree in September. Others on my course followed different pathways though - teaching, sciences, engineering - there is something for whatever you want to do really. It is really worth checking your local college out and seeing what they have to offer.

I am 37 and never thought I would be able to do the career I wanted, after not working for 8 years due to staying at home with my children, and not having the A Levels I needed to get into uni. But the Diploma has opened up new doors for me, and I have absolutely LOVED this year, love studying and have made some fab friends. I highly recommend it.

[sunshine]

Good for you Bubble

[Mokey]

There are Access courses available that can give you an entry into Uni and also get you used to doing academic work, plus will give you English/Maths GCSE equivalent. You dont have to progress to uni, but it will give you a diploma and gets you into 'work' mode. Im sure you can also do it part-time, so a year's Access spread over two years.

some info here : http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/educatio...ege/dg_4017026

Thanks for the link and info will have a look over the weekend

This will be my dilemma next year once my youngest goes to school - I could really do with a job with a fantastic salary so I can afford to pay all the bills on my own! I've always done figures-based jobs so becoming a qualified accountant seems like the logical step but I'm not 100% sure I plan on starting to study once DS2 is at school next year while still working part time then working full time once I'm qualified (and the kids are a bit more independant).

I'm trying to think of a career I would enjoy, I've just not came up with anything yet!

Good luck!

Working out your values and what's important to you would be a great starting point if you're looking for soul satisfaction.

Most life coaches do a values exercise as a starting point but if you google 'core values' you'll find a load of info and exercises you could have a look at.

Good luck :)

I think I know what my values are already but I will Google core values and see if it gives me any more clues about the direction to go in. Thanks

It could also be worth doing some voluntary work for a while, get something on your CV to start you off with.

I did some at the start of the year and really enjoyed it. I was volunteering at Age Concern and helping the oap's to trace their family trees, sadly there were too many voluteers already so I was only there a couple of weeks. That was the only scheme I knew of that did genealogy (which I love) I am registered with my local voluntary scheme but don't hear of that many positions coming up. Maybe I'll chase them a bit more

I was also going to suggest an access course. At my local college they have access to: Nursing and health related careers
: humanites
:business
: and a general one if you

you have to attend college 2 days a week and are expected to do about 10hours of coursework in your own time

Something else for me to look into,thanks

Most OU courses will have at least monthly tutorials or dayschools, held at local colleges so there is some opportunity to mix with fellow students. Your tutor group will be made up of students local to you and many of them exchange numbers after they have met at tutorials and meet up locally to socialise. There are also summer schools for some OU psychology courses so it may be worth having a look at the website.

I didn't know that. It sounds great, will check it out, Thanks

I have just finished (and passed ) a Level 3 Access Diploma at my local college. It is equivalent to A-Levels (and was bloody hard work). There is also a Level 2 Diploma which is GCSE equivalent - most people who did this then stayed on to do the Level 3.

Because of my Diploma I have been accepted at uni and start a nursing degree in September. Others on my course followed different pathways though - teaching, sciences, engineering - there is something for whatever you want to do really. It is really worth checking your local college out and seeing what they have to offer.

I am 37 and never thought I would be able to do the career I wanted, after not working for 8 years due to staying at home with my children, and not having the A Levels I needed to get into uni. But the Diploma has opened up new doors for me, and I have absolutely LOVED this year, love studying and have made some fab friends. I highly recommend it.

Well done

[Mokey]

Didn't you used to have a photography business? I thought your photos were fab.

Yes I did but I didn't have enough faith in myself but also I found it turned a hobby that I loved into a bit of a chore and all the pleasure went out of it for me. Now I just do it as a hobby and love it again

[lazalot]

I spoke to someone at 'Next Step', the government career advice service and they asked me lots of questions and came up with some interesting ideas that I had never considered. May be worth talking it through with someone like that and it was free.
However, what others have said is true, most jobs and courses these days seem to require that you have some formal proof of maths and english ability so it may be worth looking at enroling on those courses this Sept and then, you would have access to the careers advice that is available in the college where you study.

It is possible to change, I used to be in accounts, when I had my 2nd baby I trained to teach yoga (which I had been practising for years), now, I am applying to do a counselling course as well having found that people call me about yoga classes and I end up being a counsellor to them without them ever enrolling in my actual classes

Good luck,