Born-again student in my fifties?

[scots_lass]

I have been (early) retired for a few years now and find I have too much time on my hands. I haven't studied seriously since early 1980s but now think I might like to do a course part-time at uni. Am I off my head or is this a good idea? Would you go back to being a student? Have no intention of turning this course into the basis of a new job - just feel I neeed something for my brain to tackle again............before it goes into mush!

 

[gavintc]

Go for it. I went back part time to do my MSc when I was 47. Admittedly, I had a full time job, but I loved the challenge and the learning for learning's sake. It was actually quite enlightening.

 

[Telemark]

I have been (early) retired for a few years now and find I have too much time on my hands. I haven't studied seriously since early 1980s but now think I might like to do a course part-time at uni. Am I off my head or is this a good idea? Would you go back to being a student? Have no intention of turning this course into the basis of a new job - just feel I neeed something for my brain to tackle again............before it goes into mush!

I still remember very clearly how shocked I was (this is ages ago) when an ex-colleague in his 50s (who took early retirement when an opportunity arose) said he "was too old to learn any new skills" (i.e. didn't WANT to rather than wasn't able to) .

If I didn't need the £££ to pay the mortgage etc, I'd quite happily resign from my job and go back to learning something new/studying .

What are you thinking of studying? If you really want to, just go for it!
Good luck with making up your mind,

T

 

[marinyork]

Go for it. But be prepared to be shocked and disillusioned about finding any "like minded students".

 

[HJ]

When I was in Aberdeen doing postgrad stuff, the oldest under graduate was 83, he was on his third degree. He had completed his first degree before most of the teaching staff were born, then his second degree after his wife died and he was on his own all day. After that I think he was hooked.

 

[ELL]

I think its a great idea. I am sure there are plenty of courses that you could do as more of a hobby than to return to work. If you don't use your mind it will stop working, if it stops working you stop working. Get on and apply

 

[cookiemonster]

Go for it Scots Lass.

I became a student in my late 20's and it's the best thing I've done, I will be 32 when I graduate in 2011. I have also seen a few students in their 40's/50's as well.

Good luck babe!! What are you thinking of studying?

 

[rich p]

Is it costly if you drop out?

 

[Globalti]

I would love to go back - I would read geology as I think that's a fascinating subject and much more relevant to our lives than we realise.

 

[Spinney]

Go for it.
There's always the Open University if there are no courses you want to do within reach of home.
You can also download most of their material to read, so you can get a taster. Take a look at Open Learn http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/

I'm 49 and currently working towards a BSc in Geosciences with the OU. And I'm hooked on learning new stuff.

 

[porteous]

I'm doing an MA at 63. (Most on my course are 50s/60s). Costs are about £2000 pa (2 year course), but it varies from uni to uni, and there are often grants available I think.

If you don't do it you will always wonder whether you could have done it or not!

 

[Auntie Helen]

I'm at Uni at 38 (so not quite in my retirement) doing a part-time German course whilst working part-time.

I really enjoy the challenge - and it's also good to study with a bit more background and knowledge of the world at your fingertips.

Whoever above said prepare to be disillusioned from finding any like-minded students was right. The 19 year olds just seem to be wasting their time and not doing any work!

 

[beanzontoast]

Whoever above said prepare to be disillusioned from finding any like-minded students was right. The 19 year olds just seem to be wasting their time and not doing any work!

I remember when I was at Uni in my teens the mature students we had in our classes always seemed a very dedicated group. It was inspiring to us that they were often balancing family commitments with Uni work - their attitude to the work was generally very serious, maybe because they were making sacrifices that the rest of us were not.

 

[Arch]

I remember when I was at Uni in my teens the mature students we had in our classes always seemed a very dedicated group. It was inspiring to us that they were often balancing family commitments with Uni work - their attitude to the work was generally very serious, maybe because they were making sacrifices that the rest of us were not.

I started full time at York when I was thirty, and we mature students were definitely a breed apart. Not to say that all the young ones were wasters, not at all, but we oldies knew what it was like to have jobs day in day out, and what a relatively easy life it was at Uni, and we tended to just get on with it rather than moaning about deadlines etc. And we were all there because of an interest, not because 'going to Uni was what was expected and Archaeology is near the front of the handbook'.

Anyway, go for it Scots Lass. I've done both the OU and standard degrees, and I'd say OU is more flexible, but there's perhaps less chance to be immersed and meet other students, unless you make the effort to hang out with others in your region. With standard Uni, you have more opportunity to fit into student life, but you'll have to fit into their timetable too...

 

[mossy]

student

Hi
Yes .Go for it.
I am am a part time time student whilst still lecturing.
Time management is a major issue but its well worth while doing both personally and from the skills you will develop.
The lecturers well welcome you as you will have so much to offer to the course.You cannot buy life experience.
Go on you know you want to to!!