I'm going back to skool, no really!

[threebikesmcginty]

Yup, I've been offed a place taking a postgraduate masters.
It's been a while since I did any fancy book learning - hope I'll be ok!

Anyone else gone back into education as a *cough* 'mature' student?

 

[HelenD123]

I did a postgrad certificate while working full time. It took a while to get back into the swing of writing and researching essays. I'd recommend doing some preparation before you start so you're up to speed. Are you doing it full-time? A change for a year will be fun.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Part-time I'm afraid, still got to earn a crust. Work are footing the bill so it's with their blessing and hopefully they'll cut me a bit of slack.

 

[HelenD123]

Part-time I'm afraid, still got to earn a crust. Work are footing the bill so it's with their blessing and hopefully they'll cut me a bit of slack.

In that case, don't follow my example and leave it all to the last minute. Know how many hours a week you need to do and get yourself into a routine. Good luck!

 

[Globalti]

I would love to go back into education equipped with the discipline and skills I have learned in 30 years of full time work. I would probably study geology as I think it's a fascinating subject; years of trogging up mountains have given me the interest and I now realise that what's under the ground has a major impact on the economic and social development of the country as well as the look of the land and its towns and cities.

 

[XmisterIS]

I'm a mature student, with all the financial trimmings courtesy of HM Government. Wonderful!

 

[accountantpete]

What are you going to research old boy- something useful like C16th Venetian Nobility?

 

[snakehips]

Anyone else gone back into education as a *cough* 'mature' student?

No but I recently had a nightmare in which I was in my final year of a four year (one year working in industry) course in Chemical Engineering at Loughborough University !

Scary stuff.

Good Luck

Snake



My Library

 

[rich p]

My wife recently finished her PhD which was a great relief. It was hard work for me

 

[Wigsie]

A masters in "hmmm which way shall we chop this bit of timber?" will that fit on your business card?

 

[ColinJ]

I dropped out of my first degree course aged 19, having spent too much time at the union bar and not enough time studying. It didn't make me feel very good about myself and I wanted to try again one day.

Among other things, I worked as a factory labourer for 5 years and I knew that I couldn't do that for the rest of my life so I decided to have another go - I eventually went back to university aged 28. It felt a bit odd as one of a small number of 'mature' students scattered among about 130 18 year olds.

I'd realised that it was going to be hard work tackling an electronic engineering degree after such a long break from study so I spent a year going through the A-level maths syllabus again. I bought copies of the text books that I'd used at school and worked through every example during my breaks at the factory job. My work mates used to laugh at me, saying that it was a waste of time. I'd never get a degree at that age - I was 'too old'!

Ha - I eventually graduated aged 30!

Go for it!

 

[palinurus]

Good luck!

Haven't done any postgraduate level study yet but did get my degree through the Open University at 35 (prior to that I had an HND from a Polytechnic). I've had a six-year break and have just signed up for another course next year.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Good for you. I did the same and it led to a completely different life, some wonderful experiences, and getting married, so go for it.

I would recommend a bit of pre-reading, if poss. I had been out of education, and was studying political science for my MSc, so I was definitely behind the curve for the first semester with all the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed politics and economics graduates.

Also, employers will often offer study leave and time off during the week - if you've not already got this, it may be worth it.

On essays and coursework, don't spend too much time fretting about getting it perfect - crank them out quickly and move on. You will have a LOT of work to get through.

Enjoy yourself.

Oh, and pick a dissertation topic early so that you can work towards it and gather material and info as you go, otherwise you will be floundering around with 15 minutes before the topic submission deadline, and that's not a nice place.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Thanks all - except wigsie.

 

[Wigsie]

No Worries!








P.S. Good Luck