A few years ago I asked for advice re doing an Open University degree in secret, as DH didn't want me to do one and was putting every kind of barrier in my way, including telling me I'm too thick and should accept my limitations. So many people on MN were hugely encouraging to me and it made a massive difference to me, giving me the nudge to stand up and say "I'm doing this, with or without your support".
I've just completed the fourth of six modules of the degree, each one with a distinction, and although I'm still being sneered at and getting eye rolls, I'm bloody chuffed with myself. It's tough, I find it really hard going at times, and I'm not always confident I'm even going to pass a module, let alone get good scores, and yet here I am. If anyone who encouraged me is reading this, thank you. If anyone else is in a similar situation, please let me be an encouraging voice telling you to go for it.