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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Starting University to do a degree at nearly 42 - Unrealistic and a waste of time?

69 replies

WouldItBeAWasteOfTime · 15/04/2013 22:16

DH thinks it would be! Am I too old? Would my age prevent me from getting the well paid job I want? I have 10 years (excluding looong stints as a SAHM) previous experience at a much lower level in the field I am thinking about doing a degree in. All that time I was frustrated and felt that I could do much more but did not have the qualifications or the resources to get any.

I feel I have nothing to lose now as I can't get ANY job anyway seemingly because of the time I have spent out of the workplace. I don't want to spend the next 20/30 years in a dead end job earning NMW! This is my chance to prove myself. It is doable financially. Littlest DC will be starting pre-school in Sept (when course starts) and we will get help with funding childcare for the extra hours he will need. He will start school in a year anyway (July birthday). University is very local and DC1 will be starting college next door at the same time!

I will be 44 and half by the time I finish the degree. I am hoping going to Uni will help me get out of the stagnant rut I've dug myself and I will lose 10 years off my face and hips!!

I have my reservations. I don't want to waste nearly 3 years and find that I am no better off in employment terms and with in excess of £20k student debt! If I can get a decent job, I will only have afterschool care for 1 DC to pay so at least I should be able to pay the student loan back.

AIBU to seriously think about this? Anyone done something similar?

OP posts:

goodmum123 · 15/04/2013 23:53

My husband is about to complete his hnc in building studies at 42 and has just been accepted onto the degree course. He will finish at 45 and says its the best thing he's ever done and I've seen his confidence grow. Go for it!

KC225 · 16/04/2013 00:07

As someone with a useless degree (media - 10 a penny) and no sniff at a job. I would say do it but choose your degree wisely. Friend of mine SAHM for years and years as a single parent with four kids got a social degree in her forties and is now a highly sought after social worker (they love it that she's been there, read the book and got the t.shirt)

YouTheCat · 16/04/2013 00:22

My dad did his degree in his 50s. Lifelong ambition fulfilled.

Go for it.

sashh · 16/04/2013 03:20

Do it, but before you do check your local FE colleges, many do foundation degrees, HNC/Ds and other uni level courses and the fees are £2-3K, you then 'top up' to a degree in 1 year.

textfan · 16/04/2013 03:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lifeisontheup · 16/04/2013 05:38

Well if it's a waste of time I'm wasting my time, I'm 48 and in my first year of a degree. Learning is never a waste of time.

MammaTJ · 16/04/2013 05:56

I hope it won't be a waste of time. I start my degree in September at the age of 46.

MammaTJ · 16/04/2013 06:08

I hope it won't be a waste of time. I start my degree in September at the age of 46.

BoredBeingSamWestsMistress · 16/04/2013 08:17

No way is it too old. I will be 42 when my youngest starts academy. I have absolutely 100% determination that I WILL be returning to university to do the degree in fine art that I should have done at 17. (Ended up bottling out of it because my art teacher at school told me I was shit.)

I can't wait!

worldgonecrazy · 16/04/2013 08:35

Have you thought about getting a job and doing an OU degree part time? That way you will have a foot in the door for a job, and hopefully your employer will earmark you as someone with potential.

badguider · 16/04/2013 08:39

I would never put people off going back to education - even if just for the sake of it, as it's VERY rewarding.
But, as you are specifically looking for career development I think you need to think carefully about the position you'd be in as a graduate - will you be applying for 'graduate postitions'? If so, your age might be a barrier... or will you be applying in general for positions you already know you can do but which say a degree is 'essential' or 'desirable' so getting the degree is just about getting through the filtering process?

I would also, with a subject like business, think carefully about OU. I can't speak highly enough of them. I'd always advise seeing if they have the course you want to do first.

scottishmummy · 16/04/2013 08:44

Does the degree lead to career path?what will change as result of the degree?
I wouldn't accrue debt,acquire degree for sake of a degree solely,I'd need a payback
I know it's enriching,etc but pragmatically has to be beneficial too.but it has great potential for you,increase earning,feel fulfilled,something for you

Good luck

mrsjay · 16/04/2013 08:45

My friends mum started doing her PHD aged 72. It is going very well!

no way that is fantastic Op never to old for education imo My friend has just finished her degreee she is 50 . go for it I am your age I wish I had the incentive to do a degree,

EeyoreIsh · 16/04/2013 08:45

Do it! my parents both got their degrees once they were retired! and my dad went on to get a phd, we're so proud of him

their graduation ceremonies were so moving, lots of people who have changed the course of their lives through study. Really really inspiring.

mrsjay · 16/04/2013 08:46

I think that is amazing EeyoreIsh

anewyear · 16/04/2013 08:48

Course you can go to Uni,
Not in your league, Uni etc, but I went back to college in 2011 to study the CYPW level 3 Diploma, I was 45.
If I can do it (was hard going, Im not academic at all, also had not been in a classroom for 20+ yrs) Im sure you can. HTH

scottishmummy · 16/04/2013 08:49

Learning is enriching,stimulating,but pragmatically the uni degree should be purposeful
Unless you do have the disposable income,time,support to get a degree
Finish 48 thats @20yr working so chose subject you'll get employment from

purplewithred · 16/04/2013 08:51

If I had done a degree at 42 then got a job I'd now have 10 years work experience and at least another 10 ahead of me. Well worth the investment in my opinion. I wish I'd known at 42 what I'd love to be doing now I'm 54 when it really is too late for me to switch.

Weegiemum · 16/04/2013 08:52

I did my first degree from age 17-21. I thought I was working hard and doing well, but I was pretty average for my year.

I went back to study a second undergraduate degree at the age of 37, finishing at 40. It was purely for interest (theology!) but I found it much easier to work hard and get some really quite good grades. And that was with 3 dc who were 2,4,6 when I started, dh working part time and also studying on the same course as me. I loved it, it's one of he best things I've ever done. And, coincidentally, it's opened up several new avenues for work, so even in practical terms, it was great!

Good luck.

mrsjay · 16/04/2013 08:54

I went back to college at 39 not exactly a degree obviously but still yes I was amongst young guys who did swear a little and were daft but I loved learning may go back and do something else

cuillereasoupe · 16/04/2013 09:30

If I were an employer I'd be impressed by your drive and motivation. I think it can only be a good thing.

When I did my MA in German ahem years ago now, there was a guy on the course who'd first learned German as a prisoner during the war and was finishing up his PhD in his mid-80s.

Latara · 16/04/2013 10:19

GO FOR IT!!

Seriously several of my colleagues are Staff Nurses who did their Nurse Training at the ages of 40 to 50+

Now they have well paid professional careers and are very good SNs too because of their life experience.

They all have gained Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas or BSc Degrees in Nursing - the oldest was 50 when she qualified i think, although i now know a man who has started his 3 year course at aged 50.

You are still young enough to get a degree & have a career change!

LucilleBluth · 16/04/2013 12:31

I am doing a degree part time time with the OU. I am 32. I dropped out of uni the first time round and after years of supporting DH in his career and having three DCs (not to mention an international move and back) it is time for me to do my thing.

The OU is fab btw, I can't recommend them highly enough.

edwardsmum11 · 16/04/2013 12:33

Not really, still have 20 years of working years afterwards.

scottishmummy · 16/04/2013 20:21

i dont think its as easy as yea go for it.unless you have adeuate monies and loose career plan
studying is v enhancing,fulfilling and hard work im not disputing that but needs balanced by career,employment
i see lots of recommendations for nursing,its fantastic career, and degree leads to career and opportunities

study for sake of it, is fulfilling, enriching but be clear may not lead to defined career
im not sure studying art history for sake of it leads career path and employment
i also accept that a defined career pathway may not be the goal,and in that case tha degree is great to open graduate employment routes

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