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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In thinking 36 is too old

189 replies

Jellybeansincognito · 19/02/2020 16:10

To graduate?

If I continue to do what I want to do, career wise I won’t graduate until I’m 36.

I can’t help but think this is too old?
Are you ever too old?
Will I manage to be taken seriously in a career as a beginner at 36?

OP posts:
mistermagpie · 19/02/2020 21:46

When I did my degree there were two men in my class, both friends, who were in their 80s! University had been a lifelong dream for them and to be fair they worked a damn sight harder than I did.

You're never too old and in your 30s you're still really young!

Original poster
Jellybeansincognito · 20/02/2020 08:16

‘ I imagine all those years out of work and in education didn't help’

I’ve already been out of work for 6 years whilst rearing children so 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
Jellybeansincognito · 20/02/2020 08:16

It’s lovely to hear how old people have been when graduating.

I love it!

OP posts:
Alpacathebag · 20/02/2020 08:51

When I was a student there was a 68 year old lady on my course. She graduated at the same time as me, aged 71. She'd not been able to go to university when younger so did it in retirement.

HappydaysArehere · 20/02/2020 09:05

I graduated with my B.ed at 34 and it was just right for me. I didn’t have babies to interrupt my career and maturity can really help in life.

Tessabelle74 · 20/02/2020 17:51

I'll be 49 when I graduate, someone I know has just been accepted onto a midwifery degree at 55

YoullHaveACupoTayAhGwan · 20/02/2020 17:57

I went back to university to do a PGCE, graduated last year aged 51. There’ll always be a demand for teachers and let’s face it, we’ll be working until we’re 70 before any hope of a meagre state pension! We all need to keep retraining and acquiring new skills through life to maintain/build earning potential.
36 is not too old!

steamboatwilly123 · 20/02/2020 17:57

I'll be 44 when I graduate as a midwife next year. I certainly hope I'm not too old. You have years of working ahead of you, why shouldn't you do it in a job you love?

marktayloruk · 20/02/2020 18:00

The way things are going-crackdown on immigration, still need for workers, people staying healthy longer- many older people will be getting a new lease of life,so to speak.

Superleo837 · 20/02/2020 18:02

Just started my second degree at age 36! And I need to do considerable post graduate study to get where I want to! The time will pass anyway shall I just waste my time not doing it?

NemosMum21 · 20/02/2020 18:08

I was 40 when I graduated, and I have never regretted it. Going up aged 36 to read for an academic degree alongside a clinical qualification required a lot of organisation of kids etc., and I was twice the age of my fellow students and the beginning, but it was fine. I made good friends and graduated with a good degree from a Russel Group university. The clinical qualification qualified me for an NHS career. Just as well - my husband died 4 years later, and I had my daughters to support. I had a very rewarding career, and I'm grateful to my university. No grant - I had to pay my own fees, having trained for teaching originally.

cherrybath · 20/02/2020 18:11

Not too old, I graduated at 43 and the degree did help my career. Of course it is expensive, particularly if you will need childcare.

Mumof1andacat · 20/02/2020 18:12

My dh will 37 when he graduates this summer

comeasyouare1 · 20/02/2020 18:16

I've been qualified 22 years, I would take an AYSE with life experience and maturity, I absolutely value that. Do not be put off you'll be fine Smile

Daffodily12 · 20/02/2020 18:17

Please do it and enjoy it. I'm a gran of 63 and have so many regrets , so much I never got round to.

motheringmayham · 20/02/2020 18:18

I'm 36 and just gone back to Uni, I'm the youngest in my class Grin

Sistedtwister · 20/02/2020 18:31

I was 44 when I got my post grad in a completely different field. Changed employers after 26 years and never looked back. Never too old

Jellyboobs · 20/02/2020 18:34

I retrained and finished my course age 40. Do it! My mum went to uni age 60.

Rachel709 · 20/02/2020 18:45

I'm 50 and hoping to do my masters! I'm not old !!!

Devilinatwinset · 20/02/2020 18:50

Absolutely not too old! I started an access course at 39, doing it part time over two years. I'm now 41 & I'll be finished in May. UCAS application was submitted in January. If I get the uni offer I want I'll be starting a four year degree programme in September, graduating at 46!! I have two young kids too. If you want to, it can be done.

RunningNinja79 · 20/02/2020 19:03

No, I think its a good thing.

I'm 40 and would love to go to Uni. Unfortunately I went when I was 18 and have no option to go now. I can't afford it and cant get a student loan as I have a degree.

For me, I think the degree I did get was a waste. I wish I went travelling instead, but hey ho that's life. I didn't know what I wanted to do back then, but now I know what I would do if I could. However, as I can't I have to stick to plan B

SouthernComforter · 20/02/2020 19:12

I'm in a decent job/career path that I've wanted to change for over a decade. Ten years ago I was 30 - and I thought I was too old. Now I'm 40 and still want to change. I regret my lack of decisiveness back then.
You will never be younger than you are right now - seize the day and go for it!

Nurgleturtle · 20/02/2020 19:12

i went to uni with two females doing business and acocunting one was 41 when she started and the other was 52 :) your never too old to braoden your propesctives

Mumgonenuts2020 · 20/02/2020 19:14

I had my second child at 37! I graduated 20 years ago I am refreshing now as qualified, so as another post said you have decades of working you will have a great advantage in the market by that time you will be at the top of the candidate list 😄

NewMe2020 · 20/02/2020 19:27

I started at 36! You will definitely be snapped up. They love mature students in uni because they work hard

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