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Original poster

Too late to start degree?

29 replies

TigerLilyMasie · 25/05/2019 23:47

I am almost 55 and wondering if there is any point in doing a 2-year English Literature degree.

I never got the chance to go to Uni when I was young and have suffered from mental health issues and just difficult life situations in general.

It used to bother me a great deal that I hadn't got a degree. A few years ago I got a place at Uni but at that time it seemed like so many people around my age were falling ill or dying.

It made me feel like I may not have much time left and did I really want to spend 2 years studying for a degree?

I can now see I had lost perspective, somewhat and am reconsidering. My mental health is much improved and I am at a good place in life with a supportive husband.

Aside from the personal satisfaction I would undoubtedly gain from achieving a degree, could it possibly have any monetary or career benefit?

I would graduate at 56, just a few months before my 57th birthday.

What do you think?

OP posts:
LipstickHandbagCoffee · 25/05/2019 23:52

What a fantastic idea.great for stimulation,self worth,Yes of course go for it

ErrolTheDragon · 25/05/2019 23:56

You're never to old to learn.

Tbh, I'm not sure if it would have monetary benefit at this stage. Perhaps best see it as an end in itself, and if anything else comes of it that's a bonus?

AhhhHereItGoes · 26/05/2019 00:17

Course not too old!

My Ada's was 46 when he finished his degree. He found he could focus so much better as a mature student. No partying/fitting in problems etc.

AhhhHereItGoes · 26/05/2019 00:17

Dad not Ada!

HirplesWithHaggis · 26/05/2019 00:50

I'm 57, and going back to uni on an access course this year. If I pass, I'll be 61/62 when I graduate. Oddly enough I'm not expecting it to lead to a career (law & politics) at that age, but am really.looking forward to it nonetheless.

Original poster
TigerLilyMasie · 26/05/2019 09:28

Dad not Ada!

Ha!Ha! Yes, I was wondering who the infamous Ada was!

OP posts:
MimiDul · 27/05/2019 10:27

I've known of a 93 year old Kenyan graduate. It's never too late to go to university or to learn something new. Not only will it improve your self-esteem but it helps keep your brain young - better memory, better mood etc.
As to monetary gain, it depends on what you do next. But I suspect you would need a second/higher degree to see the monetary benefits. You would become a specialist with another degree. A 1 year PGCE for example makes you a teacher and gives you access to different employment opportunities within the education sector. A 3 year PhD will open other avenues for you. In both cases you could work as a consultant, not needing to be tied to one employer.
Good luck!

irynadreamer · 29/05/2019 15:39

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Jaxhog · 29/05/2019 16:18

Do it! It's never too late.

fedup21 · 29/05/2019 16:22

If you can afford it, go for it. It probably won’t affect your career prospects though.

cleanhousewastedlife · 29/05/2019 16:41

I'm a lecturer. Would love to have you in my class.

I don't think the degree itself will help you now other than doing it for its own sake, but it does demonstrate to others that you are brave, always keen to learn etc and that in itself could give prospective employers reason to look at you.

If you decide to go, post again as there are lots of uni folk on here who can advise on life as a mature student.

But I'd say if you've always wanted to - go for it. Life is what you make it!

UCOinanOCG · 29/05/2019 16:45

I am currently retired, age 56, and doing a degree at my local uni. The oldest person i have met doing a degree was a woman aged 78. It is never too late to learn!

MrsCobbit · 29/05/2019 16:53

I started my degree four years ago at 49 and completed it when I was 51. I’ve just completed my postgrad and become an English teacher at 52. Going for my Masters next year. You are never too old just go for it.

MissingInActionYouSay · 29/05/2019 16:57

It is never, ever to late to start a degree! My dad was the first person in my family to go to uni, he retrained as a teacher at 54. I completed my BA at 36 and an MA at 38. Yesterday I submitted a PhD proposal ! I love learning, its a life long process and I know I will 100% always be signed up to some sort of course.

AnnaComnena · 29/05/2019 17:09

Do it. The sense of personal achievement on its own makes it worthwhile, even if you don't benefit careerwise. And it might open up other opportunities which might be enriching even if they're not financially rewarding.

I actually think you get more out of a humanities degree if you do it when you're older. Your life experience will give you a greater understanding of the issues you study.

Happyhusband · 29/05/2019 17:11

Go for it. Smile

Figure8 · 29/05/2019 17:16

Bloody hell!

To the people saying it won't affect her career, why not? She'll have at least another decade of work after if she chooses, so why shouldn't it have a positive impact.
Sheesh!!

And to OP
Go for it. Education isn't only for utilitarian purpose.

grumpymummy72 · 30/05/2019 08:28

I'm 47 and currently writing my last assignment for an Open University degree which has taken me 7 years to complete but which finishes on Tuesday. I say go for it. While it won't have a direct impact on my career it has certainly improved my confidence in my abilities, my resilience and my general mental health - so much so I am now considering going for one last promotion in my current field.

anothernotherone · 30/05/2019 08:36

Nobody else has asked about the 2 year element so I will.

Where have you found a 2 year degree? If it's important to you either psychologically or for career reasons that it's seen as a "proper" degree I'd be a little bit thrown by the 2 year duration. Is it an "ordinary" degree (as in BA without honours)?

anothernotherone · 30/05/2019 08:49

Ah I just googled and discovered compressed BA Hons degrees exist now - is it one of those? A 3 year degree in 2 years could be quite intense!

Original poster
TigerLilyMasie · 30/05/2019 11:11

anothernotherone

Hi, Yes, It is with Staffs uni and is with honours. I know it will be intense but I do prefer the idea of that. It means, essentially, that you work during term breaks. I seem to perform better when I have less time!

OP posts:
Original poster
TigerLilyMasie · 30/05/2019 11:33

anothernotherone

Sorry, I meant to add to my previous response - the number of study hours per week is obviously more than in a 3-year degree, more like having a full-time job.

OP posts:
FreeFreesia · 30/05/2019 11:33

Go for it ! I did a masters in my mid-thirties and was the youngest on the course by some way.

Original poster
TigerLilyMasie · 31/05/2019 07:25

Thank you, everyone! I have decided I AM going to do it. I've emailed the department head and committed to going. I am very excited!

I am always studying some kind of course so I may as well get a degree out of it. I know two years will fly in a flash.

OP posts:
PantsyMcPantsface · 31/05/2019 07:29

I'm going back this year aged 41 - and my nan did her A-levels aged 70 and proceeded to be adopted as an honorary grandma to all the students there giving them advice on kicking the boyfriends into touch!

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