Twenty Inch
Guru
- Location
- Behind a desk
Go for it.
Born-again student in my fifties?
- Thread starter scots_lass
- Start date
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threebikesmcginty
Corn Fed Hick...
- Location
- ...on the slake
I've just signed up for an MA, not sure what I've let myself in for yet but I'm quite looking forward to it. I'm only a youngster in my 40s though!
I was lucky in persuading work to pay for it, even managed to get them to stump up for a nice laptop too for the course work.
I was lucky in persuading work to pay for it, even managed to get them to stump up for a nice laptop too for the course work.
accountantpete
OAP
Can't see the point myself and it's never the same second time around.
If you are interested in a particular subject then just do the research off your own back and publish the results by way of a website etc.
If you are interested in a particular subject then just do the research off your own back and publish the results by way of a website etc.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I'd like to do another degree purely for fun too, but even if I could afford it, it would restrict me too much. If I could afford to go back to university, then I could also afford to go on lots of great cycling and walking holidays and that's what I'd rather do, but if you want to do it and can afford to, then why not! Don't let age worry you, it's only a number.
I'm with accountantpete on this, Scots Lass. University courses are increasingly aimed at obtaining a qualification and/or a job, so if you are looking at learning for the fun of learning you may find the process disappointing.
If your purpose is to study at that level for the first time, to prove to yourself that you can do it, then by all means sign up for it. Ditto if you find that you need the discipline of fixed hours and deadlines, which many of us do.
If you are looking for something to keep your brain active, there are many options apart from formal study. I retired last summer from my full time job, but stop my head from turning to mush by maintaining a presence in a couple of ventures which were sidelines; I've also set up a small charity; and I mentor two young graduates. Exams occupied every summer for me from the age of 10 to 23, so I would find very limited value now in absorbing other people's heavily recycled information, compared with doing something off my own bat which makes use of whatever skills and contacts have found their way into my head over the last 35 years.
If your purpose is to study at that level for the first time, to prove to yourself that you can do it, then by all means sign up for it. Ditto if you find that you need the discipline of fixed hours and deadlines, which many of us do.
If you are looking for something to keep your brain active, there are many options apart from formal study. I retired last summer from my full time job, but stop my head from turning to mush by maintaining a presence in a couple of ventures which were sidelines; I've also set up a small charity; and I mentor two young graduates. Exams occupied every summer for me from the age of 10 to 23, so I would find very limited value now in absorbing other people's heavily recycled information, compared with doing something off my own bat which makes use of whatever skills and contacts have found their way into my head over the last 35 years.
I'm afraid that I'm not 100% struck by the idea. Starting a degree at 34, and finishing a PGDip at 40 did get me in to an entirely different line of work, but that's not what you want...
Marin touches on the reason for my reservation. Your fellow students may be unread, unreliable and unwashed. I adore teenagers, but as a different species. I wouldn't want to rely on them for conversation, or for the return of a loaned book, and you really do rely on your fellow students. If you do go back to university then I'd suggest that you take as much of your present life with you.
There is an alternative. Pitch up at a charity and say, this is what I can do, this is what I would like to learn, let's get it on.....
Marin touches on the reason for my reservation. Your fellow students may be unread, unreliable and unwashed. I adore teenagers, but as a different species. I wouldn't want to rely on them for conversation, or for the return of a loaned book, and you really do rely on your fellow students. If you do go back to university then I'd suggest that you take as much of your present life with you.
There is an alternative. Pitch up at a charity and say, this is what I can do, this is what I would like to learn, let's get it on.....
ttcycle
Cycling Excusiast
I'd say go for it- I would love the option to be able to do that.
However things to consider - would you be able to pick up the same knowledge at home if you were disciplined about what you wanted to learn- I find this works for me and at a fraction of the cost of a degree or are you specifically wanting structured learning?
I think education for the sake of an interest in ideas is the way it should be but unfortunately the degree and post grad worlds can often be focused too heavily on securing work afterwards (not that this is guaranteed)- it's important to choose somewhere that will give you what you want from a course. This is an expensive way to learn something new.
What others have mentioned regarding students is true -when I studied and I was not a mature student, I found the mental age of people very frustrating, Many often study as it's what you do, not because they want to or have a love for the subject. You will find some real gems and interesting sorts but more often then not there will be a world apart from how you see things and the priorities that other students will have.
Good luck - you aren't mad to consider this but there is probably a flexible way to push your mind and get yourself learning again.
However things to consider - would you be able to pick up the same knowledge at home if you were disciplined about what you wanted to learn- I find this works for me and at a fraction of the cost of a degree or are you specifically wanting structured learning?
I think education for the sake of an interest in ideas is the way it should be but unfortunately the degree and post grad worlds can often be focused too heavily on securing work afterwards (not that this is guaranteed)- it's important to choose somewhere that will give you what you want from a course. This is an expensive way to learn something new.
What others have mentioned regarding students is true -when I studied and I was not a mature student, I found the mental age of people very frustrating, Many often study as it's what you do, not because they want to or have a love for the subject. You will find some real gems and interesting sorts but more often then not there will be a world apart from how you see things and the priorities that other students will have.
Good luck - you aren't mad to consider this but there is probably a flexible way to push your mind and get yourself learning again.
OP
OP
scots_lass
Senior Member
- Location
- Small village in Fife
Thanks for your supportive replies. I am thinking of doing a Criminology course or one of the Ecology/Conservation Sciences courses. Intending to phone up this week to book an appointment with the Adult Learning tutor to discuss options etc. I think I feel quite excited about it! Which is a good thing! I didn't go to university when I was younger so I'm not quite sure what to expect!
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
Where are you thinking of studying? I was in my thirties when I did my BSc at Edinburgh, I can recommend the Ecological Science course there.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Aaargh - that brings back a stressful memory!dellzeqq said:
I once played the generous mature student role and lent a very expensive text book to one of my fellow students, a smelly spotty oik who then spent 3 months making excuses for not giving it back to me!
He 'forgot' to bring it in. It was 'too heavy' to carry etc. etc. I gave him an ultimatum but he still didn't bring it back. In the end I told him that I was going to walk to the halls of residence with him to pick it up. He started to make up reasons why we couldn't do that either and I started to see the 'red mist'. He finally backed down and let me go and pick it up.
I'm sure that it was all just because he was too tight to buy his own copy.
chap
Veteran
- Location
- London, GB
Go for it Scotslass, you're awfay close to many brilliant universities including the inimitable St Andrews, and Edinburgh.
These are fine places to learn. There is also the Open University (one of the best things this country has achieved.) If you want to ease yourself in, you could try the OpenLearn courses which are free and community based.
Good luck.
These are fine places to learn. There is also the Open University (one of the best things this country has achieved.) If you want to ease yourself in, you could try the OpenLearn courses which are free and community based.
Good luck.
