WIBU to tell my 62 year old dad there's no point in him doing A-Levels!?

[redsector]

My dad has apparently been inspired by his grandchildren! to do a couple of A-Levels. He's a brainy old folk and has recently been told of a discount in tutoring (what my dc used as family friend) so would like to give it a go. Surely it's a waste of time/ effort/ money, etc!? Or do I just roll with it?

I was 40 when I went to uni. I loved it so much I stayed on to do a PhD.
I'd do another degree if I could afford it.

I'm now doing several FutureLearn courses (MOOCs organised by the Open University)

Go for it OP.

Good luck to you and your Dad.

Bear in mind that in many many jobs there are formal requirements to pursue continuous learning/ professional development, and of course learning from doing a job is part and parcel of most employment roles.

It's important to remember that, just because adults may not be doing formal exams any more, many are pursuing lifelong learning as part of daily work. So it's not such a huge leap to go back to more structured education.

I can only guess at what a delightful offspring OP is.

What a miserable attitude OP. ☹️ Good for him that he wants to do this.

It is so important to continue to exercise your brain. The following is a quote from a A and D prevention site.

Alzheimer’s and dementia prevention pillar #3: Mental stimulation

Those who continue learning new things throughout life and challenging their brains are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, so make it a point to stay mentally active. In essence, you need to “use it or lose it.”

This alone is a good enough reason to do a new A level at 62.

Yay, go red's dad!

I met a woman once who was on her third degree course after (early) retirement. She chose languages so that she would get to spend at least a year living abroad - she started with French, then did Russian, and was doing Arabic - in her 70's. Inspiring.

I love the idea of continuing learning throughout life. I fully intend to learn more well into my retirement.

HOwever, I am a bit concerned that pensioners doing degrees, masters and PhDs might be taking away places from those still in employment who NEED the qualification to get a job. I have no idea if that is the case, but all the stories in this thread got me wondering...

I started martial arts when I was 40. I earned my brown belt by the time I was 46. Ok, I then had to give it up as I was injured in an unrelated accident, but I enjoyed it, and it got me out of a few dangerous situations. Go for it!
At least with languages, they're not tied to fitness levels!

Scary that so many think 62 is old.

How old are you op I imagine you're in your 30's at least?!
Your dad is an older man but he's far from old.. Same for you, if you want to learn to play the drums, bloody well go for it

Good God the sense of humour or rather lack of on here is ridiculous.
I think this thread was intended to be
light-hearted.

At 62, it is a waste of time IF he's doing this solely to improve his employment chances.

IF he's doing this because he has a genuine interest in the subject and wants to learn more for his own enjoyment, then he's a bloody inspiration. A large part of my brain shrivelled up and died before I reached 25. I found A-Levels a piece of cake when I was 17 or however old I was, but I would find them a lot harder now.

YABU I met a man who completed a degree at the grand old age of 90. Why? Because it was on his wish list! I think it's great that older people don't just waste time sat In a chair watching the world go by, good for him!

There is a couple of things I'd love to do to, do but feel too old

If your Dad is only 62 then I don't think you can be very old.

In fact if you think 62 is old then you must actually be quite young (compared to me anyway )

Whatever it is you want to do FGS stop being so negative, get off your arse and do it. Otherwise in about 40 years time when maybe you are too old for whatever it is you will kick yourself for not doing it when you were younger.

All kudos to you, OP, for being willing to listen and change your thinking.

You really should try one of those things you want to do - Spanish, guitar, martial arts. It's really fulfilling to be learning something just for pleasure, and completely different to the mindset you'll have had at school. Tell us when you're signed up!

It must be depressing to feel 'old' at your age OP. I guess you re no older than your late 30's.

It would be very mean to tell him that. How great it is that he wants to take this up. A challenge for him. Why would you take that away from him or rain on his parade.

Please rtft people!
Kudos OP

Never too old to start over. I think its refreshing 😊

Brainy old folk! 62 ! I think it's you that needs educating .

What a fantastic Dad and Grandad. Good luck to him, and what a sour person you are to think like this. We are NEVER too old to learn anything. This challenge will enrich his life, make him feel proud, and help to stave off dementia; now, exactly what do you see as the positives of your current stance?

Definitely good to keep brain active also many older people didn't have the opportunity that we had.Go for it is my advice. Would you not want him doing dancing lessons? No different.

Another request to stop having a go at the OP and PLEASE READ THE FUCKING THREAD!