Am I ridiculous for thinking of going to Uni at 38?

LoremIpsumCici · 27/12/2024 23:20

You’re not too old. I’d start looking into it if you really want to do it.

Zone2NorthLondon · 27/12/2024 23:25

Look into access course. Prepare yourself for entry. Plan how you get into uni
Be realistic about the course, if you can get an HCA job in hospital that’s helpful
Midwifery is competitive to get on. Familiarise self with role and be realistic about the shifts and the course. It’s achievable. You’re not too old.

HPandthelastwish · 27/12/2024 23:27

What is your family situation? Training and being a midwife is highly likely to involve shift work including overnights, not a good option if you don't have a partner and or other rocksteady childcare.

If you are free and single go for it but I would workout why you 'arent very academic', it maybe that some learning need wasn't picked up when you were in school and now that people know more that you can get some help and reasonable adjustments as necessary the understanding and awareness of things like dyslexia and dyscalculia are vastly different to 20 years ago.

Gerwurtztraminer · 27/12/2024 23:31

At my graduation (many years ago!) there was a woman in her 80's being awarded her PhD, in a science subject. The whole audience went absolutely mad when she went on stage, it was absolutely inspiring.

I think getting financially stable and reducing the mortgage first is a very good idea. Could you manage doing a relevant part time course/subject at the same time to get into the academic mindset?

Honestly I think swapping careers is do-able at any age and I wouldn't let that hold you back - and certainly not at your age when you have many years of working life still to go (one day you'll look back and see how young that actually is). Life is for living, not drudgery, and its great you have something you are passionate about.

TeabySea · 27/12/2024 23:33

I went back to education at 39, took time out to have a child, then went back in my early 40s to do a master's. If I could afford it, I'd go back and do more.

Original poster

overthinkersanonnymus · 27/12/2024 23:38

HPandthelastwish · 27/12/2024 23:27

What is your family situation? Training and being a midwife is highly likely to involve shift work including overnights, not a good option if you don't have a partner and or other rocksteady childcare.

If you are free and single go for it but I would workout why you 'arent very academic', it maybe that some learning need wasn't picked up when you were in school and now that people know more that you can get some help and reasonable adjustments as necessary the understanding and awareness of things like dyslexia and dyscalculia are vastly different to 20 years ago.

No children, we tried for a few years but it never happened.

I think by not academic I mean, I wouldn't have the foggiest about how to write an essay for example. I'd need some sort of assistance with layout and referencing etc. I'm not dyslexic or have any specific needs, I've just not been in an education setting for a long long time!

Saying that, I have taken two lots of exams over the last ten years related to my field, which was no walk in the park. Financial regulations etc.

OP posts:

Original poster

overthinkersanonnymus · 27/12/2024 23:39

Gerwurtztraminer · 27/12/2024 23:31

At my graduation (many years ago!) there was a woman in her 80's being awarded her PhD, in a science subject. The whole audience went absolutely mad when she went on stage, it was absolutely inspiring.

I think getting financially stable and reducing the mortgage first is a very good idea. Could you manage doing a relevant part time course/subject at the same time to get into the academic mindset?

Honestly I think swapping careers is do-able at any age and I wouldn't let that hold you back - and certainly not at your age when you have many years of working life still to go (one day you'll look back and see how young that actually is). Life is for living, not drudgery, and its great you have something you are passionate about.

That'll probably be me at 80, when I've finally got the balls 😂

OP posts:

Circumferences · 27/12/2024 23:40

I wouldn't think of it as "going to uni" like some twenty something.
You're retraining.
You could probably still work part time in your current career, and retrain in your spare time, which is a completely different advantage compared to your average student.

Also, I really wouldn't be rose to ted about the joys of being a midwife. It's a low pay high stress job and if you're in the UK, the vast majority of midwives are imported from abroad, the Carribbean in particular, who stick with their own kind and have their own way of doing things...

Circumferences · 27/12/2024 23:41

^rose tinted not rose to ted

Paradoes · 27/12/2024 23:44

Absolutely go for it

in terms of academic writing - once you start reading lots, your vocabulary will improve. I would start by reading nursing and midwifery journals and jot down the phrases - how paragraphs start, how a methodology is written

i started off at uni with grades in 2:2 range but then I literally read lots - ended up with 1 at MSc level. I didn’t come from a good background or exposure to literature so I taught myself and you can too !! Good luck

Rummikub · 27/12/2024 23:53

I’ve worked with many mature students and o you are not being ridiculous.

Check our the entry requirements of the uni you want to go to. Attend their open day.
Volunteering would be useful eg you can volunteer as a ward assistant on the maternity ward. Volunteer with community groups / young mums groups.
The do it website can help you find opportunities.

Some places offer Access courses in the evening too.

Good luck with it

Zone2NorthLondon · 27/12/2024 23:56

Paradoes · 27/12/2024 23:44

Absolutely go for it

in terms of academic writing - once you start reading lots, your vocabulary will improve. I would start by reading nursing and midwifery journals and jot down the phrases - how paragraphs start, how a methodology is written

i started off at uni with grades in 2:2 range but then I literally read lots - ended up with 1 at MSc level. I didn’t come from a good background or exposure to literature so I taught myself and you can too !! Good luck

Spot on.great advice.familiarise self with themes, and vocabulary in a profession
And yes, point of training is to mould and shaft you into a competent practitioner

KitKatChunki · 27/12/2024 23:57

Honestly don't worry about not having any "qualifications". For some reason I thought only really bright people went to Uni and went at 37 in an attempt to get a vocational skill (health related). Everyone there was unable to write an essay, most were also mature students or nurses wanting a qualification. I found the first year incredibly boring because it went over and over the very basics of paragraph construction, referencing, how to read papers and writing in an academic way. People still hadn't grasped this by y3 and still came out with 2:1 so honestly, if you know you will use it do it. It is a very expensive way to learn though so do make sure there is work in your area and it is viable for you with kids. I am actually not hugely proud of my degree because I feel it wasn't worth the debt as a single parent (I found it interesting but I wouldn't use it as a benchmark for brains) and there are no jobs unless I commute to London.

Original poster

overthinkersanonnymus · 27/12/2024 23:57

Rummikub · 27/12/2024 23:53

I’ve worked with many mature students and o you are not being ridiculous.

Check our the entry requirements of the uni you want to go to. Attend their open day.
Volunteering would be useful eg you can volunteer as a ward assistant on the maternity ward. Volunteer with community groups / young mums groups.
The do it website can help you find opportunities.

Some places offer Access courses in the evening too.

Good luck with it

@Rummikub could you expand on the evening access course? When you say some places offer it, do you mean some colleges? This is what I mean by not knowing how to navigate the education system.

There is actually a part time ward clerk vacancy at my local maternity hospital. I'm tempted, but scared 😂

OP posts:

ThisWeeksGripe · 28/12/2024 00:00

Honestly OP, you're young! I started Uni when I was 42, had 2 young children, a dog, a job and a home to run. I also completed an Access to Higher Education course at my local tech beforehand. It's hard - very hard, and the attrition rate is high for Access courses. I hadn't a clue about how to structure an essay, reference etc, but that's what the course is for; to prepare you for a degree course. I eventually graduated with first class honours aged 47 (my degree was part time).

If your heart is really in it you'll succeed, but be under no illusion that it will be anything but tough. I nearly gave up several times and I cant say I enjoyed it, but I was determined to set an example to my children that you don't just give up when things get difficult, you stick at things. I'm so glad I did it and had the experience. I was the first member of my family to go to university and I learned so much - not just academically, but about who I am and what I'm capable of.

Good luck OP. I hope you realise your dream.

Zone2NorthLondon · 28/12/2024 00:01

ThisWeeksGripe · 28/12/2024 00:00

Honestly OP, you're young! I started Uni when I was 42, had 2 young children, a dog, a job and a home to run. I also completed an Access to Higher Education course at my local tech beforehand. It's hard - very hard, and the attrition rate is high for Access courses. I hadn't a clue about how to structure an essay, reference etc, but that's what the course is for; to prepare you for a degree course. I eventually graduated with first class honours aged 47 (my degree was part time).

If your heart is really in it you'll succeed, but be under no illusion that it will be anything but tough. I nearly gave up several times and I cant say I enjoyed it, but I was determined to set an example to my children that you don't just give up when things get difficult, you stick at things. I'm so glad I did it and had the experience. I was the first member of my family to go to university and I learned so much - not just academically, but about who I am and what I'm capable of.

Good luck OP. I hope you realise your dream.

Congratulations on your achievement- wowser😀

Pennyswimsplash · 28/12/2024 00:02

Do it you’re not too old at all. I know a few who went to uni late 30’s early 49’s & went on to have successful careers - go for it!

ProfTeeCee · 28/12/2024 00:04

overthinkersanonnymus · 27/12/2024 23:17

Please can I have some words of wisdom and advice on whether I am indeed crazy for thinking about this.

I want to be a midwife. I am fascinated by all things birth related. From conception, foetal development, birth and postnatal care.

My problem is I have no real qualifications that would allow me in to uni to study. I'd have to do an access to higher education course and I'm not very academic!! I also don't really know how to navigate the whole university world.

I'm currently in a finance role and i don't like it. It's boring, the money isn't that good and I feel like my life is just drudgery at the moment.

What would be a reasonable cut off age retrain? I was half thinking of working in finance a few more years, pay a massive chunk off my mortgage snd then maybe relook at it. But I could be well in to my 40s by then.

Help!

Look Into midwifery carefully before changing your whole life.
It's not the great careeer it seems..

Rummikub · 28/12/2024 00:35

overthinkersanonnymus · 27/12/2024 23:57

@Rummikub could you expand on the evening access course? When you say some places offer it, do you mean some colleges? This is what I mean by not knowing how to navigate the education system.

There is actually a part time ward clerk vacancy at my local maternity hospital. I'm tempted, but scared 😂

Show quote history

yes some colleges of further education offer it.

you could also try the open university. They have Access/ foundation level courses. Consider how you best learn. Open uni let’s you try a module to see if it suits you.

Look for opportunities that fit in with your current life to dip your toe in. You have 9 months to
plan before Access starts in sept.
Colleges offer open days too.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 28/12/2024 00:42

The access to uni course would help. Perhaps take a year out and get a job as a midwife assistant to see if you like it.
Would spending time with new borns be upsetting after experiencing infertility?
Consider other nhs careers too like occupational therapist or radiography

SweetRain · 28/12/2024 00:44

Midwifrey sees a good amount of mature female students so you wouldn't stand out. My concern would be the reality of the job, it's very very hard emotionally and physically. If i were you i would try to find excitment via hobbies and possibly a sideway move or upwards in the same field than start again from scratch all the way from Access levels. If you wanted children and couldn't have them, wouldn't it be tough being in this role surrounded by babies? I second trying to get a role in a hospital or maternity unit first.

Mossstitch · 28/12/2024 00:45

I went to uni at 43 with three children. The access to health course will give you the necessary start and the tutors will assist you with applying to the course you want at uni. Don't worry about it just find somewhere local to take the access course and everything else will follow, they really do talk you through it step by step. I didn't even know what I wanted to do properly when I started the access course. I toyed with the idea of midwifery or nursing but chose occupational therapy as I had to consider the fact that shifts would have been difficult with the children. You do have to do many weeks of full time placements on all NHS degree courses and these often have to follow the shift pattern of your educator.

AmateurNoun · 28/12/2024 00:46

I wouldn't discourage retraining but wondered whether you have considered becoming a doula as an alternative?

Rummikub · 28/12/2024 00:51

Yes consider other options too. It’s always useful to explore your options.

www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/FindYourCareer

Greengagesummer65 · 28/12/2024 00:55

No, definitely not too old! I did an access course at 31 and graduated with my first degree at 35. It was so wonderful I couldn’t stop and did an MA then a PhD. I came from a background where education was completely denigrated and no one went to university, but it was my dream and I got there eventually! And it was wonderful, just as fulfilling as I imagined. You can do it, you really can 👍