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.

Bath - DH may find another job straight away, he may not. In the meantime I can be doing something constructive for our family.
It also looks like I have enough UCAS points to get on the course too.

I'm sorry, I'm still confused. Right at the point your family is most financially vulnerable (your DH being made redundant), I don't understand how this is the time to do something like this (essentially a full time job that you pay for rather than being paid, for the next 3 years).

I might be horrifically risk-averse but I see is as 3 years of hard hard work for you with no gaurenteed job at the end (I 'be been a history student ) right at the point when you don't need to commit to further expense and indeed you may well need a fulltime job.

I'm sorry, I still have no ideA why you think this is a good time for you to do this ?

Bath - I'm sorry that your confused and don't understand - I really am.

I'm 51 and starting a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design in September with a view to possibly going on to University after. I never got the chance (or encouragement) to go on to further education when I was 16 but seeing two of my daughters graduate/start University this year has made me feel that I should seize this opportunity with both hands. If your family circumstances mean you can do this then that's fantastic.

Sorry Kappa - forgot I was on this thread!

I did an Access to Social Sciences course as I didn't have A levels, then did Early Childhood Studies - the original plan was to work at Surestart or similar.

Life got in the way of plans, I had to take any job when course finished, then I got a job in a school, moved to another, and now I'm doing an MA in Education

I think the PP means that you should be working/earning NOW, not potentially in 3-4 years.

Yellow - I was hoping to continue to work in the organisation that I'm in at the moment alongside doing a degree.
Also depending on what I do it could aid me in securing a future with my organisation.

I was made redundant earlier this year, contacted my local Uni and now have a place in September. Starting Uni at 41 is a bit daunting, especially as I'm the only woman taking this course. Exciting though.

I'd give them a call, hope you get a positive response.

Thanks Jad. Can I ask what ur timetable is like?

I'm 36, 2 kids, fed up! And have decided to start a law degree with the OU this Autumn.
Please have a look at them, they're very flexible in terms of finances/courses etc.
I've been met with a few raised eyebrows this week when I've told close family but I'm 36 not 96!
Go for it:)

Appeal - I'm not sure I could do the OU thing. DH would be a bit rubbish in keeping the children away when I need time to study.

I understand, it's not for everyone and it may be better for you to get out, meet new people etc and of course with 5 kids it must be hard, bad enough juggling 2!
My dad's partner went to uni at 35 to do a teaching degree and is now in her late 50's, has had a brilliant and rewarding career and will retire in several years with no regrets about starting out "later"
Seize the moment, there's never a good/right time. Good luck! (I can't wait)

Appeal - thanks that's very encouraging. Good luck for your course.

I'm 35, just finishing year one of nursing (for what it's worth, I already have a law degree....I found it mind numbing!) I am loving this course. The way I see it, I have at least 25 years work ahead of me. It's a life time! Enough to build an amazing career. Do it!

There was a man in his late 80s on one of my foundation modules for OU. He had to have a nap every afternoon on Summer school, bless him!

Not sure yet, I start this September so will have all the timetable info then. Just waiting for student finance now to make sure that I can get the childcare grant.

Agree with Appeal, seize the moment.

What would you do for employment at the end of it? You're never too old to do a degree, but having one doesn't automatically increase your earning potential.

Mrs - as I said up thread. I am hoping to be able to continue working where I am now.
At the end of it I will hopefully be able to increase the hours.

Just wanted to say that thanks to this thread i had a good think and look around the internet last nigh/this morning and have decided to do an access to uni course with the OU.

So thanks to you all, especially OP for starting this thread, it has been really encouraging and OP i hope you can start your degree, whichever one you choose.

Good luck Dia, Kapp, Jad and the others hoping to start courses soon. I did my degree when my DS1 started school and have never, ever regretted it. I studied Sociology which I loved, it's the sort if subject you use in your every day life because it changes the way you see and think about things.

DiaDuit - do look at your local college too, I did my access course at a college and the fees were paid for me by student finance NI. I did it two eves a week.

Op, I am a very mature student, just finishing my first year of uni and am 33. I have loved every minute, and have no regrets despite having to give up a well paid job to do this.

However my course leads directly to a specific job (not that that guarantees actually getting one of course!) I wouldn't have taken the risk for a more random subject. I have been desperate to do this for a long time, and did a two year access course and lots of volunteering in preparation. I suppose my point is that while I 100% encourage you to go for it, don't rush into it. Why not wait a year? Give yourself time to apply for something that will really lead to a career for you rather than just whatever is available at this late point in time? I just worry because you say you are doing it to give your family security, and I wonder if a history degree will do that?

As an aside, I actually had a very well paid job before this, despite such limited educational qualifications, as I was quickly promoted internally in a public sector agency - in other words degrees aren't everything either! I did feel a bit inferior at times as everyone else in my office had a degree, including those more junior to me, but ultimately it didn't matter.

I also meant to add that my course offers a bursary, and fees are paid for us by the NHS, so my decision doesn't have as severe a financial impact as some.

Thanks missduke, i will do. I have a few weeks before registration/ financial support deadline closes so plenty of time to do some research and see what is the best path.

Miss - I've been chatting to my DH and looked at what I do at work at the moment and how it would relate to a degree.
Although I have an interest in history we have decided that it may not be the best choice in terms of earning potential.
So there are a couple of possibilities I will be looking into

I'm doing History with the OU. I love it but studying History will kill off a casual interest in History iykwim, it's hard going.

I think it sounds like an exciting idea.
I do admissions for my dept, and every year I meet one or two people are worried their ship has sailed (but not so worried that they don't ask...). One of those women has just completed her first year with the top grades in the year, another has recently started a PhD with us. She was 35ish when she started, and had no 'grand plan' past getting a degree.

Consider speaking directly (can phone, but email may be best) to Admissions Tutors for their honest opinion. You lose nothing my applying this year of course. I'm not a historian, but am really happy to help if I can.