To thinks its too late?

[kappadelta]

To do a degree. I don't have one, have always wanted one.
I'm 35, have 5 children currently working as a bank admin in the voluntary sector.

DH will be redundant in September so I thought it's the perfect time to think of ME for a change (not really, more of our future)

BUT? Is it to late for this year? My closest uni is Sheffield and I have left it too late to apply normally and would have to go through the clearing process.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[Smilesandpiles]

Thats how I feel about doing my degree, that I'm not cleaver enough but think of it like this...

No one who will be starting that course will know what they are doing or getting into, up to a point. You are all starting at the same point, being taught by the same tutors and having the same lectures...the advantage you have is..that you know not to waste this chance and because of that, you will make the most of it, get the most out of it and will work your hardest towards it because you just know what this actually means in the long run.

[andsmile]

LOL - oh well there is a tone of stuff you can do - do an open degree with OU, study what you want then, you can fit it around family/work.

[andsmile]

and you can pay monthly using an OU bugeting account

[ChickenFajitaAndNachos]

I actually only decided to go in the June and I rang my nearest uni and spoke to the head of department explaining I was passionate about the subject and had A levels and told him the grades and was accepted on the phone. I then had to fill in some forms and I was in, this was some time ago but it could be doable for this year.

[YoureNotCutOutForHumanityAreYo]

I graduated at age 45. I intended to study earlier but ill health got in the way.

I took the subject I'd been fascinated in for years. It's a professional discipline which usually leads to a career in one specific field but I'm too old to go through all the various processes to get there now.

I use my education to help and advise a few small charities on a voluntary basis and to occasionally be a smartie-pants and put someone right on MN.

Mainly I did it because I wanted to, because I knew I could get there if I worked for it and because I wasn't too old and I wanted to prove that to myself.

If I can do it, you sure as heck can!

[YoureNotCutOutForHumanityAreYo]

I'd been fascinated in? Oh dear Lord!

[kappadelta]

Chicken - I'm going to ring on Monday and see what they say, fingers crossed.

[ChickenFajitaAndNachos]

Oooh good luck. Let us know how you get on.

[wonderpants]

Nope! I'm doing an OU degree, I work, I'm a foster carer, I have my own children and I'm pushing 40!

[ballsballsballs]

Not at all. I'm 42 and have just finished the second year of my English BA. Go for it! :)

[BabyDubsEverywhere]

Do it!
I am 30, 4 DC aged from a few months to 6 years. I will be in 2nd year in September and I cant wait to get stuck in again! I study Ancient & Medieval History :) The reading is immense and I am the only proper mature student (as in a family, home to sort) on the course so out of the loop a little. I love it though. :)

[EyeMyrrhSlapHer]

42 here. Just finished a degree... got a 2:1 wooooooooop

[DiaDuit]

What a lovely thread!

Hope you dont mind me gatecrashing but i am in a similar boat but not working (looking) and would very much like to do a degree. However i havent the foggiest idea what i would like to do.

Any advice?

[SweetsForMySweet]

You're never too old, there was a woman in her mid fifties doing a degree with my dh when he was in college. Give the college a ring on Monday morning and see about late applications. If they are closed try emailing them, most colleges would have admin checking correspondences regularly even if they are closed for holidays. Best of luck :-)

[kappadelta]

Dia - what are your interests? Skills? Strongest academic achievements? That's what I have looked at. What area of the country are you in?

[DiaDuit]

I am in NI. I have GCSEs and an NVQ in an area I attempted to go back to 2 years ago but for some reason just didnt click with it and left the course after a couple of months. I honestly have no idea what interests me. Ive been out of work (bank cashier) for 4 years and seem to exist in a bubble of child related stuff. I dont know what I like or want to do with myself.

[DragonMamma]

Do it op! You're still young!

Just don't do law unless it's for learnings sake. Becoming a solicitor is hard and costly (13k for your LPC after a degree anyone?!) plus training contracts are like hens teeth.

I did history in Uni and quit after a time because I stupidly didn't really check the modules and doing boring as hell topics until I couldn't take any more! So check those carefully :)

[LittleprincessinGOLDrocks]

There were 4 ladies on my nursing course who were over 35 when we started (2 of which turned 40 the year we graduated). They all graduated and have gone on to have great careers in Nursing.
I think the fact that 2 of them were mothers actually helped them, they had lots of hands on experience of caring for sick and well children (handy for childrens nursing!) and were really good on placements.
I say go for it. If you don't you will always wonder what if!

[JackAndGills]

i did mine in my 40s with 3 young DCs - depends what you want really.

[borninastorm]

My OH's business went into administration in April this year, he found a course he fancied doing in June. He phoned them, went to meet the head of department and was accepted on the course by the end of June.
He's financing it with student loans that he's already arranged.
Took just 8 weeks from his business failing to changing his whole life. He's never been happier.
Go for it, just start it now. Give the Uni a call first thing on Monday morning. You can have all the finance in place in a couple of weeks.
Please go for it and make yourself happy.

[Anomaly]

If your DH is going to be made redundant how will you afford to do a degree? With 5 kids your living expenses are surely quite high.

[Suefla62]

I did my first degree when I was pushing 50, never regretted it. My husband has been in and out of schools (part time) all his life and now has 5 masters degrees. Education is a thing that never gets stale. 1/2 of the people in my class were close to my age and were there for new opportunities.

[EleanorAbernathy]

Never too old! I'm 36 and have just started two A-levels in the subjects I wish I'd tried harder in at school (Chemistry and Biology), who knows where it may lead me in the future!

[kappadelta]

Born - thanks for the support. I'm glad that things have worked out well for your DH.

[Bathsheba]

I'm sorry, I don't understand how your husband being made redundant makes this the perfect time for you to do something for "You"....sure thats when your husband has got over this and is secure again, so maybe this time next year....that also gives you a lot longer to deal with enquiries etc. Agree you may very well need to do a year long access course before you can apply