Am I too old to go to Uni

[Rayn]

I started my degree in 2001 and dropped out after a year as I was pregnant. I was 26.
I then did 60 credits on open uni in education studies in 2006. I have always worked in children's services and nursery management right up until three years ago.
I am 46. I feel too old to go back and do my teacher training. I hate been office based and want to work in primary not nurseries.

I feel like I will be the only oldie and although I am ok with that I will be betting into a lot of debt and will be nearly 50 when qualified. I don't worry about getting a job as I have so much experience with kids in different areas.

Am I mad? Any positive stories about going to Uni as a mature student?
Have thought about open university but not sure if I will be able to do it independently.

Of course you're not too old. More than likely you'll have to work until you are late 60s if not 70 before you retire. I say that as someone who retrained and found a new career in her 50s.

Many professions prefer a mature graduate, like teaching!

You are never too old to learn 👩‍💻

[quote littlepattilou]@Rayn

You're never too old to go to uni.

By the time you finish your degree though, you will be too old to forge a professional career in your chosen field. Even if some people on mumsnet think you can start a new life and a new career at 50-something, it is nigh on impossible for most, as employers are really not interested in employing somebody fresh out of uni when they are 50+ Or even in their 40s. They want younger people (under 35...)

If you are doing it for fun, and/or for your own self-fulfilment, then crack on. If it's to try and change to a professional career, I wouldn't waste your time.

JMHO.[/quote]
DO NOT TAKE ^ THIS ADVICE!!!

A friend of the family never worked a day in her life. Once her children were old enough she went college, university and studied nursing. She got her first job whilst in her late 40's, and she's proved she is still employable in her 50's.

I'm also 46. It's not too old to do a degree or to change career. In fact I'm currently studying for a new career.

However, I'm a primary school teacher working in early years and key stage 1. I've been teaching for 22 years and in many ways I love it but it's so physical and exhausting. One of the factors leading to me retraining is that I just can't see myself being able to hack teaching in 10 or 20 years time. I'm already struggling!!

That might just be me though

Good luck with whatever you decide.

@elfin79

Actually two members of my family became teachers after the age of 40 - for different reasons. One has now retired after 30 years of teaching and the other is mid 50s and looking forward to being able to draw her pension in a few years!

One of them was teaching into their 70s?

When I did my degree there was a woman who was 72. She had always wanted to go to university but couldn't afford it, so once she retired she fulfilled her dream.

It depends who you think is in charge of how old you should be, and whether you give a monkeys about their opinions. If you want to go, go. If you find you're too old, stop going.

Thanks for all your replies. I have always worked within childcare services and safeguarding. I have years and years of experience of working with under 5's so I know what I am letting myself in for. Some really positive stories on here although does seem to be a fifty/fifty split. Looks like I have got some thinking to do. Think I just want to get my degree as started it twice and life got in the way. Teaching would be a bonus!

Definitely not too old but please think carefully about teaching

Hey! I have just turned 49 and plan to train in the next couple of years - as I see it my DC will be independent (1 has already left home) so I will have more time - night just be deluded though

I did my MA at 50 and I will be finishing my PhD soon (with luck) at the age of 60.

Doing both these postgraduate degrees has opened up new job opportunities. I got a new job just recently and I think there is a good chance I can get an even better job when my PhD is finished.

I have never felt out of place during my studies, I have thoroughly enjoyed it and it has made a difference to my job prospects. I was too busy and tired when bringing up my kids. I now have the energy and focus to commit to this.

It really is never too late!

medebourne - did the postgraduate degrees (Masters and PhD) cost you much or did an employer pay for them?

Ignore this if it's intrusive. As I said above, I would very much like to take some post-graduate study but it would be a minimum of £30K for a Masters and I'd never be able to justify the expenditure.

I wouldn't do teaching, they only like young ones and preferably male in primary altho' there are as always the exceptions.

Anything-else at Uni, go for it.

[quote littlepattilou]@Rayn

You're never too old to go to uni.

By the time you finish your degree though, you will be too old to forge a professional career in your chosen field. Even if some people on mumsnet think you can start a new life and a new career at 50-something, it is nigh on impossible for most, as employers are really not interested in employing somebody fresh out of uni when they are 50+ Or even in their 40s. They want younger people (under 35...)

If you are doing it for fun, and/or for your own self-fulfilment, then crack on. If it's to try and change to a professional career, I wouldn't waste your time.

JMHO.[/quote]
That's not true for all sectors.

I run a university course which attracts mature students- around half the group are in their 40s and 50s. Every single one of them gets a job, sometimes before they've completed the course.

SueEllen I'm wondering if you are one of my lecturers . There are many of us on my course in their forties who are already employed.

Sorry that should have said in the field in which we are studying. Decent money too

Not too old, there was someone in one of my classes who was easily in his 70s. He was a funny man and intelligent.

However teaching? Not one I'd want to do at that age, but not one I'd want to do at any age to be honest. It's completely thankless and parents are quite honestly normally complete assholes about their 'darling' children. I'd want to kill the parents and that's what puts me off, the jail sentence.

@Northernsoullover

SueEllen I'm wondering if you are one of my lecturers . There are many of us on my course in their forties who are already employed.

Maybe!! Although 'decent money' isn't a term that gets used in our sector very often 😂😂

I’m in my first year of a degree (4 year degree as it’s a degree apprenticeship). I’m 35 and am by no means the oldest on my course. We had an OT student at work a while ago who was 50. It’s never too late!

embarrassingadmissions my MA was 9 years ago now and it was nowhere near £30,000. I'm afraid I don't remember exactly how much but it was something I was able to save for from my (at that time) low income from a part time job. The cost of Masters degrees now is ludicrous and unjustifiable as you don't get that much teaching. I know I was fortunate to do it when it was just about affordable.

PhDs cost a lot less and are still affordable (IMO) if you are working.

I guess I have been lucky to just about afford to do my postgraduate degrees. But my general point is it's never too late to study or start a new career.

I don't think I'm unusual. I know several women my age who have retrained or re qualified in their 50s and started something new. When I was in my 30s and 40s I was permanently running around and exhausted. I couldn't have found time to study or think about a change of direction. I was also unfit and didn't concentrate very well because of the demands of children and family life. I feel fitter and more on the ball now than I did then. Go for it!

You're not too old until your dead

@Rayn

Thanks for all your replies. I have always worked within childcare services and safeguarding. I have years and years of experience of working with under 5's so I know what I am letting myself in for. Some really positive stories on here although does seem to be a fifty/fifty split. Looks like I have got some thinking to do. Think I just want to get my degree as started it twice and life got in the way. Teaching would be a bonus!

What have you got to lose?

Id listen to the posters who have done it, not the ones who think anyone over 35, needs putting out to pasture!

Never too old to go to uni, or chase your dreams! Do it, good luck x

I'm 43 and halfway through first year of a 4 year degree! Rather graduate at 47/48 and have 19/20 years doing a job I want and paid as a graduate than 25 years at a shit job with a ceiling cos no degree.

I love it. I'm one of the older ones, but not the oldest, lots of mid 30s to 40s on my course plus a few 50+. Do it.

Havent read the whole thread but my friend started her teaching career at 52. It's not old. Kids and colleagues love her. She was a TA for a year beforehand though. Go for it

I'm doing an education / sociology postgrad online and the majority of us are women in our 40's (there are a few little'uns in their 20s and even some men! but we are very nice to them ).

It's a lovely supportive community as we are all balancing work, families, life, elderly parents and stuff and the lecturers know that too so they do give us a bit of flexibility with essays etc. I think it's a bit harder to learn as you don't retain stuff as quickly as you did when you were younger but having years of practical experience gives you a breadth of understanding and new perspectives that can really help you learn and find relevant ideas.

I'd totally go for it.