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Going to uni on my mid 30s?

6 replies

User415373 · 23/10/2025 23:54

*title should obviously say in!

I'm just looking for experiences or a head wobble.
I was a teacher for 10 years and quit (as a deputy) when my second child was born in 2022 (a whole other thread to explain the reasons but I'm sure you're all aware of why!)
Since then I've been WFH for the civil service at HEO level (34k) in project delivery. It was exactly what I needed, it gave me loads of space and time to recover from teaching and the flexibility has meant I could continue working full time while my children were small, whilst being able to pick ups and drop off etc (none of which was possible when teaching). They are now 4 and 3.
I just can't see myself WFH forever (but I'm over 2 hours from the nearest gov department). I don't feel a part of the organisation, I struggle only meeting online and being sat at a desk looking at a screen all day. I'm struggling to progress also (recruitment freezes) and honestly find it quite boring.
For quite a few years now, I've dreamed of going back to uni to retrain as a radiographer and possibly then specialise in sonography. I don't even know if it would be possible. My husband works full time time and earns 40k. My in-laws are amazing and support us however they can with childcare.
I doubt we could afford it but I haven't done the maths. Even now, we have ancient cars, haven't been abroad for 8 years, don't eat out etc. We can't cut back much more but could maybe extend the mortgage. I already work a part time job some evenings to top up my full time wage (the nursery years have been extremely expensive though).
I don't have a science A-level so would need to do some kind of access course I presume.
I think I could get the loan as it's a healthcare degree. My nearest uni is 1.5 hours away. We couldn't move. Do students get placed in any hospital or do they consider where you live?
I used to have so much ambition. I need purpose in my job (what I loved about teaching).
We live quite rurally otherwise with fairly high levels of unemployment. I love it here but opportunities are limited (plus I have no relevant experience for much else).

OP posts:
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 24/10/2025 00:10

Go and visit the uni and talk it through

Squiggles23 · 24/10/2025 00:15

Personally I think you would be mad to.

Presumably minimum 3 years of doing nothing only to earn a similar salary now (but with debt?) I am guessing here as don’t know much about radiographer salaries etc.

Surely you can now take your civil service experience to find another job not wfh?

Friendlygingercat · 24/10/2025 02:28

I agree with @Squiggles23. Not related to your age as I threw up a job and went to uni at 42. My career was declining/changing and I needed to improve my qualifications. At present WFH fits in with your needs and lifestyle and many women would rip your arm off for a job like yours. Could you do an OU degree or other p/t qualification alongside to improve your career options? I would think very hard about giving up a well paid job just because I was bored.

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PamelaShipman80 · 24/10/2025 02:44

I’m in a very similar situation to you so following. I wfh and do school runs, never miss anything but would love to train as a midwife. I need more from work, but this would be at the detriment of family life! I’d be 40 by the time it would work better. This then feels too old, but at the same time I’ll probably then work in the job for 20 years which is a long time!

Springtimehere · 24/10/2025 05:15

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