To think I can study after this long?

[CheshireDing]

So I have signed myself up for a course, it can take anywhere from approx 18-4 years to complete (depending on a persons time to study, whether they pass each assessment and the final exams etc). It is around £5,000 in total if I complete all levels and the exams. I am paying for it myself, although it is to do with my work so I am dealing with what is in the course material every day. I am self employed which I why my employer is not paying for it. If I pass the course it would give me another registration which would be a good thing.

The problem is now I have started reading the information I am in full panic mode, I feel like I have no memory for this kind of thing anymore. It's about 15 years since I last did anything like this. I cannot see how I will ever be able to pass, or ever scrap a mark, remember anything or see it through to the end.

Any words of wisdom from anyone who has panicked after not studying for a long time and somehow managed to get it together successfully would be appreciated.

My current thought is that this was a BAD idea, panic, panic, waste of money.

It’s not a bad idea! Good for you for signing up!

I had the same feelings when I went to uni age 35, I spent the whole of the first day trying not to cry because I felt so overwhelmed with all the information that was being thrown at me, and we were asked to read a journal article and I couldn’t take any of it in at all and felt really stupid.

I got a first class honours degree. It was worth it. It gets easier, and the old study habits soon come back!

Good luck, I bet you’ll smash it!

I went to uni at 43 having done nothing since fairly average o levels at 16.........beat all the youngsters on the access course and got a first class Bsc despite 3 kids and working weekends.................you can do this💪

I used to work in education and there’s so much support available but people rarely take it up. My advice is see what’s offered and take anything that’s offered. I can guarantee it will make the day of those offering - it’s literally what they’re there for.

Good luck. You’ve taken the hardest step - getting started!

I retrained for another career in my 50s. It was a three year part time course that I did whilst self employed like you OP. I left school after A levels and hadn't studied for years. At first it was so overwhelming, but once I broke it down into sections it seemed much more doable.

Treating it as bit size pieces and being determined to enjoy it, allocating set times to study and referring back to the syllabus all the time to make sure I was on track all worked wonders. I passed with distinction.

You can do this OP. You'll be really proud of yourself when you pass.

I just did a masters in my 40s after a 15 year break in education and got a 1st. Go for it @CheshireDing!!!

Yep agree with this. I work in a university and we offer support with academic and research skills. Im not sure who is providing your course but do they have a library, do they offer any study skills support? If so take it up. If not then check out the library websites for any major uni and you'll find resources openly available to help with writing and research.

Gosh thank you, glad I am not alone in these feelings. I read the first part of one of the course books and just thought 'shit, this was a bad idea I am too late tor this sort of thing' 😬 I definitely wish I had done it years ago when employers were paying for it and I would have had the qualification for years now.

Right you have all inspired me to try and get it together this weekend, going to get my work sorted today then try and come up with a plan.

I will enquire about the assistance with the academic and research skills too, that might help send me down the right road.

You'll be fine OP. I signed up for a second degree in my 40s, having done no study to speak of since my first degree in my early 20s. I was amazed how the brain can kick into study gear again! I found I had much greater discipline too, plus when you're paying your own hard-earned cash for it, that's a great motivator.

I'm in the final 3 months of my PhD and it was 17 years since I did my Masters, am also about to have a significant birthday (50!). I have moments when I question my life choices but it'll soon be over!

I think people underestimate how a fair proportion of studying is actually about learning how to study! It's a valid part of your learning so don't worry if you have spend time thinking and working out how to do this. It's not an extra or a failure on your part it's a skill to work on. How to take notes, how to revise, even how to read efficiently are skills to practice and develop. Also mind-maps, drawings etc are all valuable and valid tools for learning and retaining information.

Also you need to find out what works for you. Regular and often works better than waiting for motivation or enlightenment (I really struggle with that one). Watch out for "busy work" - I like lists for example, everything feels under control with a list - but sometimes I end up with more lists than retained information!

You are already thinking about this - don't make your concerns short-comings, you are already critically reflecting here and working out how to address this, which is great. The brain is a muscle and you are giving it a different type of workout - it will take time to get it match fit!

you have got this - good luck!

@CheshireDing if you take a look at MN’s Mature Study and Retraining board, here:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/maturestudents

you’ll very quickly realise just how many other people are doing exactly the same as you!

(You may even want to ask MNHQ to move your thread there so it can be of use to other mature students and re-trainers …?)