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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I'm turning 40 and I'm going back to uni

31 replies

MissSpock · 13/01/2018 23:12

to get a masters degree in a different field.

I feel like I have been studying my whole life.

I think I can be considered a perpetual student.

This is not AIBU, but I don't know if I should be pissed at myself or excited.

OP posts:
etap · 13/01/2018 23:13
Cake
LipstickHandbagCoffee · 13/01/2018 23:16

It’s a big deal,for sure. But also v exciting and you’ll be advancing yourself
Presumably you’ve done all the research about then course, the career ops etc
Good luck and I’m sure you’ll love it

Original poster
MissSpock · 13/01/2018 23:18

etap

I don't know what that means. lolol why are you giving me a cake?

LipstickHandbagCoffee

Thank you! Yes, it is a very promising course but I feel like such a fraud because I don't really understand why I even got offered a place (and a subsidised place!). And I feel so old.

OP posts:
LipstickHandbagCoffee · 13/01/2018 23:19

You’ve been given a place based on ability and potential. So yes,well done

Royalfuckup · 13/01/2018 23:20

Do you have children? Is that why you are worrying?

TenancyTroublesAgain · 13/01/2018 23:20

Congratulations!

DomesticAnarchist · 13/01/2018 23:21

Ooh, that's exciting!

I've just about decided to start another undergrad in a yes or so. Part time. I hadn't thought about how old I'll be when/if I finish it... I daren't think too much about that bit...

SukiStinks · 13/01/2018 23:25

Good luck and hope you love it as much as I enjoyed mine.

I am also a life long learner and have found the older I am the more I put into the work and I get far more enjoyment and satisfaction.

What is your MSc covering?

I was in my early 50s and a huge difference from my degrees (music performance in my teens and systems practice late 30s). I studied for my MSc because I loved the line of work I retrained for when I was 49.

I don't think you are ever too old to learn or too old for a total career change. Please let us know how you get on?

Original poster
MissSpock · 13/01/2018 23:33

Do you have children? Is that why you are worrying?

No children. No desire to have one. But I must admit sometimes I think if I will regret not having children. If I will have a child, I'm kinda late and need to start now!

SukiStinks

Data Science. I feel like such a fraud as the course requires a background in either Statistics or Computer Science, and all I have is a measly fluffy Information Systems degree. I honestly expect the uni to contact me and say there has been a mistake.

OP posts:
Original poster
MissSpock · 13/01/2018 23:35

Also I applied for laughs - I didn't have the prerequisites, and I had the nerve to apply for the subsidised place. Seems they called my bluff.

I'm thinking if I am a fraud or this is imposter syndrome, but I'm leaning towards fraud.

OP posts:
Original poster
MissSpock · 13/01/2018 23:35

I don't think you are ever too old to learn or too old for a total career change. Please let us know how you get on?

Thank you. Before I took my masters in IS, I came from a different field too - healthcare. I worked for years in healthcare too.

OP posts:
reallybadidea · 13/01/2018 23:38

I'm 40 in April and I'm in the first year of a fully-funded 2 year MSc that I didn't a meet the minimum requirements for. I kept expecting them to contact me and say they'd made a mistake. They didn't though, and despite being the oldest on the course by some way, I'm doing pretty well actually.

If I can do it then I'm sure you can!

Original poster
MissSpock · 13/01/2018 23:40

I'm 40 in April and I'm in the first year of a fully-funded 2 year MSc that I didn't a meet the minimum requirements for. I kept expecting them to contact me and say they'd made a mistake.

OMG, same boat!!

Thank you. I hope to do as well as you're doing.

OP posts:
Enirroc · 13/01/2018 23:47

I think it's fantastic... We should never stop learning.

I'm starting a degree course in October and I'll be 35 by then!

SukiStinks · 13/01/2018 23:47

@MissSpock, don't worry about your previous courses/education, there were many studying with me who went no further than the GCSE level and did brilliantly. Studying an MSc is totally different to an undergraduate degree as it is research focused and completely student led.

Somewhere I have an excellent book about research and how to time manage how long your research will take and other useful stuff. I'm happy to dig this out and post it to you of it may be useful? (FOC) I won't be using it again.

Just re-read your messages, was your data science a BSc?

I also felt like a fraud, I think most of us do to start with!! Made me smile When you mentioned it because my MSc was Counter Fraud and Counter Corruption!

Original poster
MissSpock · 13/01/2018 23:50

data science a BSc

No, it's a Masters by coursework. I am in Australia so it might be different from there.

OP posts:
FlutterGuy · 13/01/2018 23:53

I've just started a degree at age 46. It's part-time, so I'll be in my 50s when I eventually graduate. However, I'll be working until I'm well into my 70s, so, you know, might as well keep on learnin' and trying new things.

Be excited. No point in being pissed at yourself. We're still people, with possibilities.

Original poster
MissSpock · 14/01/2018 00:02

Be excited. No point in being pissed at yourself. We're still people, with possibilities.

Thank you.

OP posts:
SukiStinks · 14/01/2018 00:13

@MissSpock I thought you were in the UK. I wonder if there are course led MSc courses in the UK too? I enjoyed the research aspect and might have reconsidered if it was mainly tutor led.

Hope you enjoy it though, good luck

Original poster
MissSpock · 14/01/2018 00:17

SukiStinks

Not sure. Actually I just checked and it does not say coursework or research lololol. See how unprepared I am? Here we have MSc by coursework or by research.

My course - Data Science - has a strong research component in the final year, if that makes sense.

OP posts:
SukiStinks · 14/01/2018 00:21

Yes, research in your 2nd year makes total sense. I love that you have jumped straight in! I was a bit like that too, had been toying with another BSc, for work, but couldn't be arsed with so many years up ahead, saw the MSc and went for it.

Original poster
MissSpock · 14/01/2018 00:26

SukiStinks

I honestly applied knowing and expecting I wouldn't get in. The requirements were a bachelors in either stats or comp sci - I have neither!

But when I was doing a masters in IS, I did a one year internship in a research lab (totally separate from the IS! I got in because of my previous experience in healthcare - that was the gap they had to fill, they had all these computer science people but needed people like me) and I was so fascinated and, uhm, envious of the research scientists and what they can do, and so I applied anyway.

To be fair, I got very good grades in IS, but it's kind of a fluff course if compared with the prerequisites. lol.

Anyway, I guess life surprises us sometimes.

OP posts:
OldTroutQuintet · 14/01/2018 00:28

I have just started an MA (part time) in my late 50s. It's great! Well done and good luck!

Original poster
MissSpock · 14/01/2018 01:42

OldTroutQuintet

Thanks!!! Glad you're enjoying your MA!

OP posts:
OldTroutQuintet · 15/01/2018 06:09

Thank you, one of the best things I've ever done, and I am sure you will feel the same!