to be jealous of people with a degree?

[aconfession0]

I didn't go to uni I left school as soon as I could and started working and for the first while I was just happy to be earning money but in recent years I have felt more and more envious of people with degrees and post grad qualifications especially people who have studied things like philosophy, art, literature etc. It just makes me feel stupid not to have a degree sometimes I am actually quite resentful and envious of those better educated than me.

I have looked into going back but its impossible at this point in my life, I could do one later as sort of proof to myself I could do it but its not the same as starting out with one and building a life long career and I hardly has the focus to read a book so worry I'd struggle anyway.

aconfession I totally get it. My parents were exactly the same - never pushed me, never showed an interest and were definitely not intellectual!
I too will make sure DS has as many opportunities as I can.

Mouse in an arts degree it's true that there's little contact time (though my arts flatmate used to pretend they had to do some study outside lectures too), but the OP should be aware that more numerate disciplines are often 9-5 or so every weekday, except perhaps Wednesdays, and sometimes there are holiday commitments too. Therefore a science/engineering degree would be much harder to fit in alongside normal life.

ethelfleda, yes all those courses were free, you can find which ones are running here -
www.futurelearn.com/
www.open.edu/openlearn/

My dad graduated with his OU degree when he was 55 - six months before I graduated with my BA. He inspired me so much - I know it's never too late to study and there really isn't a set order you have to do things in.

It really doesn't take much time or effort to get one. I studied full time with a toddler not in nursery and had time to give birth to a baby halfway through. Many universities offer part time/evening only tutorials for people in your position. You may also be eligible for finacial support. If you really want one there is no reason why you can't have one. You just have to work for it.

I started in a call centre and worked up. I now work in Customer Experience and it's a great, well paid job. Could you look at something like that? I don't have a degree!

It's silly as people often say, "Where did you go?" And assume I've been but it never happened

OP

You're being very hard on yourself. And if I got a job application from someone who didn't have a degree, but did show an interest in ongoing learning and improvement via MOOCs or OU courses, then I'd be really impressed. More impressed than if I was presented with a middle class kid who had done a degree in something because 'that's what everyone does', but had no real curiosity or love of learning.

MOOCs like Future Learn are either free, or about £50 if you want a certificate. They typically last a few weeks to a month or so, and involve maybe 3-6 hours study a week, all online. Content includes documents, lecture videos etc. Definitely a good place to start.

If you've got one of those curious minds, and are keen, then do consider whether a Civil Service job could be interesting, as you often have to plunge into new topics. The CS is trying to increase diversity and is bringing in programmes to develop people who would not typically get on fast-track etc. The CS is pretty good at developing its people, and you could look at going in on an entry level role and then applying for one of the special diversity programmes. I don't know enough, but someone on here might be able to help.

As a mature student you would go into higher education with a totally different work ethic, because you're doing it out of love of learning and not just because it's what's expected of you, and with a bit of life experience that gives you a much fuller perspective on what you're studying. My parents did it, and my now-husband did it too after watching me procrastinate my way through two dissertations. I can't recommend it enough.

If you're anywhere near London you might want to consider Birkbeck College, which is part of the University of London but designed specifically for people who need to work full time alongside studying. I did my MA there and there were plenty of people on the course like you who'd gone in later life and loved it so much they stayed on for postgraduate study. One woman went on to do a PhD in a very obscure and groundbreaking area. A lot of other universities have continuing education departments that run short courses, if you wanted to try it out before committing to 3/4 years of study.

Op - I did an ou ‘open’ degree whilst in full time employment which basically allows you to mix and match their modules at your leisure so long as you hit 360 points at correct study levels. My degree is consequently a (self indulgent) mix of science, history and philosophy.

But - my employer footed much of the bill and this was just before the ou module price hikes.

If I was starting it now and with my own money I would have picked something that would help me career wise (business, accounting etc) to make the return on investment worthwhile. It is arguably now too expensive to do what I did unless someone else is paying!

I would recommend the ou and I think employers look favourably upon the effort involved

Degrees are now incredibly expensive, even if you are working full time so don't need to support yourself through loans the tuition fees are high and unless you are in a high paid job you never pay them back - you can end up paying a lot more than you borrow. The government can and do also change the terms whenever they feel like it so its risky. If you want to study then I would look into the free courses and see where that leads you.

I have a degree and a post graduate qualification and really struggle to string a sentence together. Sometimes this might be a medical issue I have, but I think its mostly too many conversations about Thomas the tank engine. I think if you study and learn you get into habits of picking up ideas and forming arguments quicker and therefore appearing to the outside world more intelligent. But if you don't use them the skills fade.

You clearly have a thirst for knowledge OP. The courses mentioned or OU sound like a good idea. Also, as others have said, having a degree can be a benefit even if the subject isn't related to your career. My DHs fine art degree is always an interesting topic in his IT job interviews! You could also join the Library, if you are not already a member, get out some books you like the look of, and then find an online forum for people with a similar interest so you get chance to discuss them.

I think you've a thirst for knowledge and it's never too late. If you lay the ground work now perhaps in the future your circumstances could mean you do do that degree. Any evening classes to start you off? Some free modules from university websites? No, they're not qualifications but they'll hopefully make you work out what you are interested in and they're never wasted. You'll seem like an intelligent person as you're rounding your education out. It won't happen instantly. Don't think that. It'll be years of keeping on adding to your education and knowledge but it will benefit you. And also your children too.

You could also join the Library, if you are not already a member, get out some books you like the look of,

Don’t you think that’s a wee bit patronising maybe?

You're already sounding more interesting than "her off the estate that works in the call centre" (as you put it - I don't see people like that necessarily). You never know who has what education; I've met people from all walks of life that surprise you with their interests and knowledge.

I just googled free uni modules and this came up for free distance learning modules in English from universities in Sweden.

www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4155525

www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses

Do you know what, OP? If some (only some) of these responses are reflective of the way you get talked down to, fuck ‘em. And fuck anyone who gets in your way, including your DP and his miserable, utilitarian attitude to education.

Time to get a bit feisty and go after what you want

Keep Googling - there's loads of stuff out there.

www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses

It's never too late! I took a degree at 26 with 2 small children and a full time job. Granted it was a foundation degree but I still got a graduation ceremony and have a BA. it was the best thing I ever did (despite the hard work and stress!!) and has opened lots of doors for me in my chosen career.
Spelling and grammar checks on word documents were a bloody lifesaver for me

I did that in my late 30s. I started an OU degree and after 3 years I unexpectedly had the opportunity to go to uni full time when I was made redundant. I jumped at the chance of studying Philosophy full time and I actually adored it. I'm still proud I did it and I got a tremendous amount of of it. However it did bugger all for my employment prospects other than give me the confidence to start my own business a few years later.

I think if your children see you reading books for pleasure, struggling but sticking to things and studying in your free time, they will grow up wanting to do the same. By doing what's best for you, you're doing what's best for them.

You might get students at a regular university who are there just for the nightlife but the one thing about OU is that everyone studying the courses you want to study will be doing it because they love the subject. I would start by looking at what they have to offer.

I felt a little bit like this and it was exacerbated when I had two children. When my youngest was one I started a degree with open uni. Five years later I have my last exam on Monday. Time has flown by, if you want one go get one! Yes I’m saddled with student loans but for me the positives outweighed the negative. Go for it!