Is 28 too late to change your life? (Realistically)

[Netflixandchili]

I know that sounds dramatic but.... if I wanted to go back to university I’d be in my 30s before I graduated, plus all the debt. It feels so late to start again. Would graduate schemes or employers even look at me? I did an arts degree and went down the creative route (teaching violin and performing and some admin jobs for music companies) but Covid and general itchy feet has made me reconsider my life. Has anyone done this?

Sorry, I started a new 4 year degree at 38 and graduated at 42 and now I'm 52, I've worked in my field for 9 years and it was excellent in every way. I've applied for a masters starting in September.

Here's a secret... you're going to be 32 anyway. Why not be 32 with a qualification you want? Good luck.

Good grief no, you’re a spring chicken 😁
Our eldest is doing exactly this (26 now but starting at 27) and couldn’t be more excited. Neither could we, for her. Her degree will open up a whole new career path.

Well I'm 43 and am signed up for a degree starting in September! My thinking is that my generation won't be retiring much before 70, so I have quite a few working years ahead

Not at all. I did my graduate training with a guy who's only left uni at 28 and 20 years on hes a partner in an accountancy firm. I also recently took on at 28 a career changer who previously worked in publishing but wanted to retrain as an accountant. She's now 31 and qualified.

So not too late at all.

My friend is back at uni at 46 think she used to be a dentist but now doing a degree she loves.

Go for it.

Definitely not. I made a complete career change at 50!

Far too old.

Accept your advanced age and occupy yourself with bingo, Horlicks, and a nice polka dot rain bonnet.

It is not too late at all and taking on debt to do a degree that will increase your earning potential long term is worthwhile just like a mortgage is but I would also advise being as frugal ( not tight) as possible so your debt is minimum and try and save everything you can between now and when degree starts as it will leave you a bit behind when it comes to pension provision, don't borrow more than you need, can you work at the same time? Are you sure this is what you want to do and there's a definite career path ahead but go for it but with your head screwed on

I did my first degree at 45 and have just been offered a job on a good salary. In your 30s is a young whippersnapper. Go for it.

Not at all. You’re going to be in your early thirties anyway, why not do something you enjoy doing.

I’m 28 🙋🏽‍♀️ Will be 29 when I graduate in the autumn.
Changing from dead end customer service shite jobs/career into Engineering.
5 years of study and two babies later, it’s not too late.

You’ll probably be working into late 60s so make the next 30 years of work enjoyable.

I'm doing it! Started last September at 29 and honestly, while I love my course I do have a wobble occasionally. But like PP said, I'll be 33 when I graduate, might as well be 33 with a degree and career change than miserable 🤷🏻‍♀️

Go for it! Not too late at all

God soooo young :-) x

I did a law conversion at 28, qualified at 31 and ten years later have a great job. You’re certainly young enough. I also had a friend who started graduate medicine in her late 20s and is a consultant now.

You're definitely not too old but if you already have a degree have you checked that you are eligible for student finance?

Nothing cemented my change of career like talking to a woman at my old job, in customer service on the phones, she’d been there 18 years and when I told her that I was embarking on a degree that at least some parts will be part time she thought it was such a long time it was pointless starting.

She’s still there, 23 years in now.
Same salary, same position, same moans and groans about wanting more.

I went back to university aged 28 to do another BA, 10 years later I have a PhD and work in my dream job - definitely not too late for you, in fact I'd say it was the perfect time :)

You're only a young pup! I'm starting Graduate Medicine at 34 this year. We have long working lives ahead and the employment market is not rock solid- jobs being replaced by AI etc. I think the norm is/ will soon become people habitually having several career changes throughout their working lives. 28 is just the beginning really. What are you thinking of doing?

I went back to Uni twice.
Once at 40yo, once at 50.

You can start again at 28!

I am off to uni in September with a plan to train in something that is going to take 6 years!! I am 42. Don't feel old. Will be a Dr (not a medical one though) at the end of it and still have at least 15 years of working life ahead of me.

Don't compare, don't listen to the noice, make your choice and go for it. Donald Trump taught us that there are no rules!!

The time will pass anyway, so you may as well do something with it.

Not too old at all. I'm 35 and just about to start a nursing degree. Ill still have a solid 30 years of work left after graduating which I think is more than enough to make it worthwhile!

I mean, I think you should do it sooner rather than later. I bet you wished you went back to uni when you were 24 or 26 or whatever, why continue to delay it?

Your life is only just beginning . My bf went black to uni at 46

Not too late. Do it