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Original poster

53, burnt out, knackered and considering college. Anyone relate?

51 replies

Gingernaut · 21/05/2021 00:14

I've broken down, mentally and physically, after flogging myself in an NHS job I was unsuited for.

I'm currently off sick with joint and back issues and am waiting for an OH report on whether I could be redeployed.

I have no recent further or any higher qualifications and have been toying with thoughts of an access course.

Has anyone retrained at a late stage?

What did you study?

How does the modern education system work?

Tuition fees are frightening and I have no idea what I want to study, how to go about choosing or where to go for unbiased information.

I'm in England, btw.

OP posts:
gonnabeok · 21/05/2021 02:50

Have a look at skills network online - they do a variety of courses. If you are a tax payer there are some courses you can apply to do free of charge. I'm 51 and recently completed an event planner qualification so it's never too late.

If I were you I would write a list of your interests and what you are passionate about and then see if there is a role that would incorporate some of those things.

If you look through the content of courses on skills network you can see what aspects may appeal to you.

Good luck!

Whymrsrobinson · 21/05/2021 02:54

Bookmarking! Am 50 too and totally lost so no advice, but could so do with a direction. Sympathies op, it’s crap.

PaperMonster · 21/05/2021 07:18

I hear you. I’m 52 and burnt out from working in a college. Need a new direction!

DonLewis · 21/05/2021 07:20

The advice we were given when we graduated went like this:

Congratulations, how clever you all are. Now, though, the clever bit comes now. What you need to do is find whatever you love to do and find someone to pay you to do it. That's the trick to a happy life.

So, what do you love to do?

DotBall · 21/05/2021 07:21

I’m the same at 53. I think it’s an age where we’ve worked for 30 years, age is starting to take a toll but retirement is stretching further away from us and the gap in between looks grim.

Is there any way you could phase retire and go part time for a few years before fully retiring? That’s my plan..

Itreallyistimetochangethings · 21/05/2021 07:28

I feel the same I am wanting to start a Masters but would continue working as I can't afford not to. But do need to motivate myself to write my statement - everything is in my head but can't get it on paper.

I topped working and did an access and BA in Education as a mature student and the access was directly related to the BA I wanted to do. I did have young children too-

Very much enjoyed it and I would say go for it - if you are not working it is doable - but it took a while to master the art of writing essays rather than a email or standard letter which was all I had done in work for several years.

Good luck - find a course that really interests you research the modules before hand and you will manage.

Student Finance was available but I'm not sure what the rules are
Now .

Itreallyistimetochangethings · 21/05/2021 07:33

Just to add an Access course is a good way to find out if - if you want to study for a 3 year degree.

It is quite intense but it does set your mind back to the demands of studying and college tutors tend to be very supportive of mature students so that helps. (At least they were on my course)

Original poster
Gingernaut · 21/05/2021 08:29

Thank you for your replies.

I don't love to do anything, I am aimless and have dyslexia and late diagnosed ADHD.

My confidence in my ability to make any kind of decision is shot and like a screaming toddler, I just don't know what to do.

I know I need guidance, but where would I find independent help? The individual colleges that do access courses aren't unbiased.

OP posts:
Itreallyistimetochangethings · 21/05/2021 08:56

Maybe talk the tutors who are heads of Access courses - I am saying access because it is often a defined pathway to a degree course which you may or may not decide to do. If you talk to 3/4 colleges you will get an idea. The ADHD - I can relate in some way not being able to focus and complete tasks other than work. Always having great ideas but not seeing them through ( that's meSmile) I'm
Not diagnosed but I suspect I have this. Just start with making a phone call to the local college or an email - that you can send to several and see what comes back - it doesn't commit you to anything.

Meruem · 21/05/2021 09:06

An access course is just that though, access to higher education. As a stand alone it isn’t worth much. Do you actually want to go on and do a degree? If not, it may be worth looking at more vocational type courses.

I’m close to your age and I know the burnt out feeling! But I personally feel it’s too late now to switch direction, although that’s just me! Not saying the same applies to you. I’ve managed by going part time. But obviously that isn’t going to work financially for everyone.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 21/05/2021 09:08

A friend of mine re-trained to work in the funeral industry in her mid 50s. I think people in the UK really need to lose the ageist crap especially given how we're all going to have to work longer. Common in the US to re-train in the 50s because a lot of people cannot afford to live on the state pension alone and work until their mid 70s.

Mistlewoeandwhine · 21/05/2021 09:08

Hello! I’m 50, fed up with my job (I can’t afford to retire) and would love to do a master’s degree next year. I feel a bit embarrassed about it as I feel like it’s a waste of money at my age. I have always wanted to do one though. We’ve got (probably) another 30 years of life ahead though, so why not enjoy it?

Itreallyistimetochangethings · 21/05/2021 09:26

@Mistlewoeandwhine - I'm on your page too. I'd like to start and MA next year - I'm not fed up with work, I actually like what I do but need more fulfilment. My plan is to do an MA related to my BA and experience but to to then use to do something when I am near to into retirement. I don't think an MA can help my career now. And although we are working longer - realistically a vacancy is more likely to go to the younger generation for examples 30-50 rathe let than 50-70. They are also more likely to be doing the interviews. So if you do study at this age it really has to be something you enjoy doing, reading or learning more about.

Original poster
Gingernaut · 21/05/2021 09:32

I don't have a degree, modern qualifications or a clue, frankly.

How does it work?

How and when do you apply?

Where do you go to find information?

A lot of local colleges don't do many City & Guild qualifications and some qualifications have a relevant job as part of the criteria for the course.

The more I look online, the more confused I become.

OP posts:
DShrute · 21/05/2021 10:02

Start here op:
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

Original poster
Gingernaut · 21/05/2021 10:19

Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gingernaut · 24/05/2021 22:18

Can I trouble you ladies for some advice.

I have three interviews. I know. THREE. THREE

One on Wednesday (an honest to God face-to-face interview) and two further along in June.

I can't face them.

Wednesday's interview is in a hospital near to the one I already work in and I can't bring myself to prepare. I have had all the stuffing knocked out of me and can't generate the enthusiasm.

I mean, what do I tell them?

I've been off sick from work for the past month and will be having numerous appointments for back, foot and knee problems for the foreseeable future.

What do I say?

Shall I cancel?

OP posts:
corlan · 24/05/2021 22:27

Don't cancel. Use it as an opportunity to practice your interview skills. It will also help you not feel so nervous when you go for your other interviews.
Good luck!

rainbowninja · 24/05/2021 22:28

Hi OP, how did the interviews come about?

Are they to see if you can be redeployed by your current employer? What are OH saying?

Original poster
Gingernaut · 24/05/2021 23:26

I applied for the jobs online.

Typically for the NHS, I applied for them back in April, before I went off sick - so circumstances have changed.

Two are for the hospital I currently work at.

OH sent a report on Friday, I have yet to discuss it with my line manager.

I feel so fat and ugly. My confidence is destroyed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gingernaut · 24/05/2021 23:27

What do I say??

What was I thinking??

OP posts:
BestOption · 24/05/2021 23:38

Is it the same job at a different hospital or an entirely different job?

I'm 52 and have very bad brain fog, I really struggle to read a lot of text and actually take it in & understand it - let alone remember it. Plus I'm exhausted. There's no way I could do a masters.

I think, at our age, if you're going to retrain you need to be practical about it. The length of the study, practical work you need to complete & how long before you're earning the money you need to earn to pay the bills.

If you don't need to pay the bills it's an entirely different ball game.

Original poster
Gingernaut · 24/05/2021 23:55

It's a different job, however my previous experience in nearly all my positions would come in handy for it.

I'll have to research it properly

OP posts:
Itreallyistimetochangethings · 25/05/2021 08:48

Go for the interview - as said before the very least you will get some
Experience of an interview. It is in your field so you will
Be able to answer most of the questions. Can you read up
About the department and the roles
Of the interviewers as well as speak to someone who does the job elsewhere. - most people
Feeling the way you do even if it was in April would not have had the capacity to apply let alone get an interview so you must be doing something right.
Good luck!

Original poster
Gingernaut · 25/05/2021 09:36

NHS HR is ridiculously slow.

I'll do it, but I'm worried about wasting my time and theirs.

OP posts: