Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is it to late for me?

83 replies

IAmRachelGreep · 31/12/2020 22:39

For wanting to better my life?

I’ve made bad decisions, I didn’t listen or care at school and quite frankly never achieved anything since. I’m a hard worker and have been since the day I left school but it’s not enough any more.
I feel thick, I feel stupid and I’m ashamed of myself.

I’m 29 and quite frankly have nothing to talk about with anyone because I don’t know anything. I feel like a child when people talk to me. Am I to late to try and get myself an education? Go back to college and then University and actually make something of my life? I’m a mom and a carer and that’s it , I don’t even have 1 friend. I have nothing going for me and I feel education is where I need to start.

Is there anyone that can guide me or offer any advice?

Am I to late? Am I just a lost cause?

OP posts:
silverbubbles · 31/12/2020 22:53

You have plenty of time. You are only 29 and if you have recognised the need to make a few changes you have plenty of time to implement them.
Make a plan. Stay focussed and work hard.
Good luck to you and don't let anyone drag you down.

Original poster
IAmRachelGreep · 31/12/2020 22:55

Thank you. That means an awful lot, I’m going to start looking into everything first thing tomorrow morning.

OP posts:
Ro198 · 31/12/2020 22:55

Maybe you could listen to some podcasts to get used to learning about different things again

Sparklesocks · 31/12/2020 22:57

It’s not too late. But I think you need go pin down what it is you want to do - what are you interested in learning? What job would you like to do? Once you have those answers you can make a start.

Elle200 · 31/12/2020 23:02

Please don't waste yourself any longer, get going and choose a course at college or get on an access course if you want to go to university. That's from someone who has totally wasted her life and has nothing to look forward to at my age. Good luck @IamRachelGreep.

2021isgoingtobeasshitas2020 · 31/12/2020 23:04

I feel similar to you op. But I'm a bit older than you. You have plenty of time to go back to college. Smile

Justaboutawake · 31/12/2020 23:06

I did a degree at 33 and now doing a Masters at 37. It’s never too late.

Find what you want to do and do it

AcornAutumn · 31/12/2020 23:10

Of course it isn't too late!

I hope you will come back to this thread when you figure out what you fancy. We can recommend books, online courses etc etc.

Original poster
IAmRachelGreep · 31/12/2020 23:10

@Ro198. Thank you for this advice. Would you be able to point me in the right direction to these please? I’ve never listened to one before so not sure where I would need to look. Thank you

OP posts:
Hailtomyteeth · 31/12/2020 23:12

No, you're at the perfect time of life to work on yourself and have a great time doing so.

Original poster
IAmRachelGreep · 31/12/2020 23:13

Thank you everybody.

So I work within mental health sector as a carer at the moment. I’d like to continue within this but not sure as what? I find it fascinating (I hope that doesn’t offend anyone).

Any pointers would be hugely appreciated. Thank you for being so lovely

OP posts:
WotWouldCJDo · 31/12/2020 23:13

What types of things capture your interest?

When you go in to a bookshop, what sections do you spend the most time in?

IndieTara · 31/12/2020 23:13

Op you can do it. I know somebody ylthsg went to Uni when he was 47 and got a degree

pursuedbyablackdog · 31/12/2020 23:15

It's never too late. You have plenty going for you, you are a mum and a carer (both bloody hard and never get the recognition they deserve). You are absolutely not too old at 29, you've got a huge amount of time to get your career off the ground.

DdraigGoch · 31/12/2020 23:15

Before going for major commitments like tuition, start small. Read a book, a non-fiction one. History, anatomy or geology - whatever piques your interest. Becoming well read is an important step to take.

Original poster
IAmRachelGreep · 31/12/2020 23:15

@WotWouldCJDo

What types of things capture your interest?

When you go in to a bookshop, what sections do you spend the most time in?

I don’t go into bookshops (although I should) 😳 when I did read I liked either crime or a love story. Silly I know x
OP posts:
AcornAutumn · 31/12/2020 23:16

@IAmRachelGreep

Thank you everybody.

So I work within mental health sector as a carer at the moment. I’d like to continue within this but not sure as what? I find it fascinating (I hope that doesn’t offend anyone).

Any pointers would be hugely appreciated. Thank you for being so lovely

Friend of my sis retrained from project management to addiction counselling, aged 50. She said her work is now really fulfilling. But there will be lots of other options in this sector too.
PlanDeRaccordement · 31/12/2020 23:16

Start a degree in mental health nursing.
There is a new government bursary of £5k a year that will help pay tuition costs.
www.gov.uk/government/news/nursing-students-to-receive-5-000-payment-a-year

Original poster
IAmRachelGreep · 31/12/2020 23:16

@DdraigGoch I love that advice thank you.

OP posts:
pursuedbyablackdog · 31/12/2020 23:16

What are you interested in? What makes you stop and think? Do you like being with people? Do you prefer working on your own? What sort of job can you see yourself doing? How flexible are yo7 with child care arrangements?

Original poster
IAmRachelGreep · 31/12/2020 23:17

Thank you @PlanDeRaccordement. That’s really useful I’ll take a look.

OP posts:
snowy0wl · 31/12/2020 23:17

It’s absolutely not too late. I know someone who was in a similar position to you and they went to university in their early 30s. It was challenging with a young child but they now have a flourishing career. It will also send an amazing message to your children. :)

I’m not very familiar with your current working area (although I agree that it is fascinating), but my immediate thought after reading your update was would you be interested in studying something like psychology?

pursuedbyablackdog · 31/12/2020 23:18

Nothing wrong with liking crime or romance...if there was no one would read it...so no one would write it!

ViciousJackdaw · 31/12/2020 23:19

It is never too late to learn and at 29, you really are a spring chicken! Look at Access to Higher Education courses - they can be a good springboard into university and the other students will likely be in pretty much the same boat as you. Here's a link to the Open University Access courses, you might be able to do one of the modules for free right now. Take a look and if you can do a module for free, why not give it a try?

www.open.ac.uk/courses/do-it/access

Trailing1 · 31/12/2020 23:19

You are never too old to learn. My father in law (65) retired from his NHS role and has taken a course in plumbing and electrics and was looking to do further qualifications (now on hold due to covid).
I myself struggled at school due to bullying and a shitty home life, I did manage to go to university but I did what would now be called a "Mickey mouse" degree, it didn't get me a decent job.
I work in retail and enjoy it but when my kids are older I will be looking to study again (something with prospects this time).