I'm back at uni this week, and we've discussed Making A Murderer, the reliability of eyewitness statements, and Mexican drug cartels (including the likely outcomes of Trump's wall and the reasons why cartels aren't running amok in the U.K.). Amongst my favourite topics at uni over the past couple of years are hypnotism, optical illusions, your minds eye, and media influence on criminal justice (so ridiculously strong and important, and unrecognisable to the majority of the British public).
God, I bloody love learning. I'm hoping to win a scholarship so I can become a barrister; which means I'll compete my degree this year, but be studying for a further four years part time. I can't wait. My lectures actually get me pumped up and so happy and excited. It really does wonders for my mental health, and I can massively tell the difference when I'm on summer holidays etc. My mum says when I'm not learning, I'm like a world renowned artist with no paint 
I come home and just read for hours once my DDs gone to bed because I love the subject I'm studying,
Granted, I'm 24 and most of my cohort are 20ish. But they're so bored with it all. It's all such a chore and they couldn't care less about what we're studying about. It makes for bloody boring seminars, but I understand it's up to us what we individually give/ take. But AIBU in thinking that learning is a gift (🧀) and we should be grateful for it?
Disclaimer: I volunteered in Africa a few years ago, where I worked with kids who walked 30 miles to school every day - before then I couldn't really give a shit about education; I could have achieved amazing grades but instead I did drugs, became homeless at 16 and was a general down and out. Went to volunteer in an African village for a few months and came back with a completely new outlook on life - went to college, uni etc with a 5 month old baby, became a single parent and put in (and am still putting in) 70+ hours a week to keep a roof over our heads whilst studying. So I could have some bias, and maybe the appreciation for learning just comes later, with life experience. Or maybe I'm just weird, and learning is always done with an end goal in sight, rather than enjoying the process.
But I reckon if I won a million pounds, I'd still crack on doing degree after degree. There's loads id love to learn about if I had the time/ money. What about you?
AIBU?
To love to learn?
CottonEyedJoe · 06/10/2017 23:28
I've just started volunteering with Citizens Advice, and it's similar to a degree in lots of ways, in that there's quite a bit of reading and work involved. It's given me a huge sense of purpose, and helped me regain some motivation and self-reliance as well :)
Oh! I'd love to do this. I've used their services over the past year (abusive exP left me with lots of debt), and I just think they're brilliant. Also think it would be great experience whilst trying to get into law. How are you finding it, practically? Do you have to put a lot of hours in (I'm willing, but working and studying and a 2 year old makes free time sparse, but I'd happily find a few hours a week). Was it hard to get into?
Glad you're enjoying it. Massively inspired by your post, btw thank you.
But I have noticed that there don't seem to be that many people about (outside of people I know who have gone into academics as a career) who seem to enjoy just learning about things for the sake of it.
I agree, but then I wonder if Mumsnet is the wrong place to ask as I frequent Mumsnet, over Facebook etc, because I learn so bloody much here. It's like the junk food version of learning
It's students like you that make my job as a lecturer worthwhile. Often, most of the class are just going through the motions so it's just fantastic to get enthusiasm. I never mind the extra time and effort for good students.
I have a fantastic masters class this year and I just come out of the lecture on a high as they're all so keen and really into it. I have an undergraduate class that just saps every ounce of energy out of me.
Actually, I've felt like a really shit student lately. Last year, I was coming out of an abusive relationship which brought on a ton of MH issues which meant I didn't go to uni for about 5 months. I still scraped a 2:1, but in my first year I got 80+. This is evidenced by letters from my GP/ police/ HV.
This year, I'm better MH wise (though still going through court cases etc), but I still can't make one of my lectures, because I have work that day. My work have said I can't change my hours, and I need to work to keep a roof over my little girls head. So I know my uni will be annoyed with me again soon, and I'm terrified about it tbh. I know it's never acceptable to miss uni regularly. But I reckon I'll get great grades, and am already doing tons of extra reading around the subject. I'll definitely get a first now my MH is better. I would never email and ask for help, as I know it's my own fault I'm not attending. But I can't physically be there for that day. Do you still think I'm a good student? Or would you be really angry?
Off topic I know, but as I have a lecturer to ask 
Totally with you.
All my life I’ve been a head-person. This summer my DP and I have built a massive 23m natural swimming pool. I mean we built it! By hand
It has been so brilliant to learn about mortar and plastering and sawing and Pond plants and just heaps of new stuff totally outside my normal groove. Plus I have builders arms now :)
How cool is that! I hope I meet a DP who loves to learn with me one day 
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