Lemmy, I have completed tens of modules across several different universities. I have been course-hopping for long enough that I’d have a bachelors degree by now had I found and stayed on a course that suited me. I can’t be asked to commit to one and study it for yet another 3 years before I get a degree*. Yet I feel like all of the effort that I have expended up to this point will go unacknowledged, just because it was spread across several unis and doesn’t fall into any of their pre-defined study plans. I am a person driven by short bouts of intense curiosity of the type that dives down Wikipedia rabbitholes**. I want to do a highly qualified job but am failing to fit in to the rigid framework that academia sets you. I have several Master’s theses that I’d start researching tomorrow if the system let me. Yet without so much as a bachelor’s I might as well go work in a supermarket. How do I move on from here?
*Perhaps it’s also because I’m now in my early 20s and finally want to have some time to explore.
**I am a logical thinker and predominantly interested in STEM topics.
Where do you live? If the US, (but look into it if not) check out Western Governor’s University. The format might be exactly what you’re looking for.
They have one or two assignments per class and let you take those assignments as quickly as you want. So you could finish a course in 3 days if you want (which is exactly what I did several times). I got through my Bachelor’s in 1 year, and my Master’s in 1 month. Literally 1 month. And each degree had included industry certifications. I was able to do it so fast because I could hyper focus on the content, not have to sit in lectures all day, and take the test when I knew I could pass. It was perfect for me.
What nobody seems to say is that what the degree is in doesn’t matter that much and nobody cares where it’s from. It’s mostly a checkbox for hiring.
People are suggesting to take a year off. I disagree because you sound like me. Taking a year off meant I didn’t go back for 8 years. Took me almost a decade just to get a Bachelor’s.
If WGU is not an option for you, stick it out with one program and just get it done. It’ll suck much less now than later. And trust me when I say I know how hard it is now. Don’t worry about what the degree is in, don’t worry about how long it takes while you’re in it, just get it done now because you’ll regret not doing it if you wait too long.
Ooh this sounds perfect for me. I’ll have a look if something similar exists over in my country. Was yours an online course? (It sounds like it would suit the format). Yeah I feel like if I went on hiatus now I would settle in a job/place I wouldn’t want to leave but be stuck with limited prospects. I might sign up for a bachelors in coding (which I can already do) just to tick the box and devote all my remaining effort to extracurriculars/internships in the fields I’m interested in.
Yeah, entirely online. It was absolutely perfect for me, so hopefully something exists near you. I don’t know if WGU takes international students, but look into it because it’s asynchronous, so you don’t need to worry about timezones.
https://www.wgu.edu/admissions/international-transfer-credit.html
Anyway, good luck out there! Commit fully to something because that regret later sucks.