Lack of education becoming apparent

[Maltesters]

I'm hoping to get some tips of how to better my general knowledge. The older I get, the more apparent my lack of knowledge becomes.

Further education after High School was never an option for me. I grew up in a very toxic, abusive household so education was never a priority.

Despite my disadvantaged start in life I've done okay for myself. I have a good job and a fairly stable life however I have always longed for a profession, something I can be confident in and proud of. A degree/profession might be an option in the future but it's not something we can budget for at the moment. I don't know what I would even study so I'd need to do a ton of research first before I could consider choosing a subject.

Dh is an educated professional and when we chat the gaps in my knowledge are becoming more and more visible. I find that I really struggle to hold a conversation with him or with anyone because I really don't know a lot. The problem is that I don't know what I don't know and I don't know how to fix this.

I try to read up on news and research anything that I don't understand but I'm really struggling. I am really clueless on everything basically and I'm incredibly embarrassed by how little I know.

Can anyone suggest some books to read or topics that I could look up to help me? I have no idea where to begin really. I'm so sick of feeling unintelligent and unable to join in conversations because I don't have a clue what people are talking about.

Definitely second Radio 4 and the Economist but you actually sound very articulate already. I do wonder whether it's a lack of confidence rather than knowledge. I totally agree with others that you're unlikely to be able to have a technical conversation with your OH etc specific to their profession as unless you do something very similar it's impossible, that doesn't make you uneducated or not well read. I'm post graduate level in my subject but can't begin to communicate with friends at a similar level in another subject. I just move them onto something more interesting and general as tbh their niche knowledge isn't that interesting to me as I'm sure mine isn't to them! Don't let yourself be intimidated, it doesn't sound as though you need to be! Xxx

Education does not equal knowledge! Most thingsI know I’ve learnt since uni and have absolutely nothing to do with my degree. Op you’re in a great position now to start expanding your knowledge because you want to. You def don’t need a degree. Just read the papers, Google stuff that’s relevant right now like Russia’s relationship and history with the Ukraine. Or just Google anything that interests you. There is so much info available at the click of a button!

I find that by having Radio 4 on in the background, bits of knowledge slowly seep into my head.

• read some classic books (Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies)
• travel (not package type hols)
• read decent newspaper
• play games like Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble
• go to some theatre, museums
• try to learn some history

Honestly though you sound like you're doing well without all this stuff!

You might find this interesting

revisesociology.com/2016/04/05/cultural-capital-and-educational-achievement/

I find that socially, people love to share their knowledge. I have managed to blag my way as a social success at various social events by asking questions and being interested in the answers. Its my experience that apart from life skills stuff (and sometimes even including life skills stuff) most people, including me, have huge swathes of stuff about which they know nothing and care less. For me I am blissfully ignorant about sport. I haven't read most of the classic should be read literature and have no intention of doing so. I am totally unbothered by political history and I only understand enough economics to run my finances and manage my savings.
So what do you like? What interests YOU? What kind of TV programs do you like to watch? What does your DH know that bothers you because you don't? I am betting there is plenty that you know that he doesn't....I think maybe a part of the problem for you is that it bothers you about what you don't know whereas generally people are comfortable with not knowing things that don't interest them and aren't essential?

@penelopequiche

Definitely second Radio 4 and the Economist but you actually sound very articulate already. I do wonder whether it's a lack of confidence rather than knowledge. I totally agree with others that you're unlikely to be able to have a technical conversation with your OH etc specific to their profession as unless you do something very similar it's impossible, that doesn't make you uneducated or not well read. I'm post graduate level in my subject but can't begin to communicate with friends at a similar level in another subject. I just move them onto something more interesting and general as tbh their niche knowledge isn't that interesting to me as I'm sure mine isn't to them! Don't let yourself be intimidated, it doesn't sound as though you need to be! Xxx

this absolutely!

If you are interested in a degree have a look at access courses at the local colleges. It teaches you how to learn.

If you are low income you can get discounts or even a free course especially if you haven’t had any higher education before.

The Bible- source of a lot of western cultural references.

The National Gallery and British museum- whizz round the famous exhibits to pass yourself then stroll round anything which tickles your fancy.

Throwing yourself down the wikipedia rabbit hole on any given subject is easy and quite fascinating too.

Just read wildly OP. It is your best way to fill your brain with all the awesome guestions life has for us.

I second the radio as a great way to listen to curious conversation.

I’d also suggest you read multiple newspapers too. Eg the times will have a very different angle on a news event than the guardian and it’s a simple way to open your perspective on things.

There’s some great podcasts too on service like Spotify. History hit, English heritage etc.

I know English heritage and the British museum have a pretty good YouTube channel.

Have conversations with people you don’t agree with to see their point of view and even if you go full circle through their ideas and positions and come back to your views as being the right one for you, you’ll be stronger in your convictions.

Exercise. Specifically walk. A lot. You have so much time to think, ruminate on things and see what’s around you when you travel at a human pace plus all that exercise is good for the brain.

I'd suggest looking at some YouTube channels. One I'd recommend is Wondrium. It's an American company that produces lecture courses on DVD, and this channel has single lectures from a range of their courses, plus some shorter pieces.

Then there's Reading the Past, by Dr Kat. Very interesting analysis of various bits of history.

I've found that YouTube is quite good with their recommendations of the factual kind of things I'm interested in.

I'd echo @Jonny1265's suggestion of using your local library. You might find they also do audiobooks which you could download.

@powershowerforanhour

Throwing yourself down the wikipedia rabbit hole on any given subject is easy and quite fascinating too.

Indeed. I could go on mastermind with the completely useless specialised subject of "Minor German Royalty of the 19th Century"

I'm dipping in and out of a good book at the moment A Classical Education by Caroline Taggart - Stuff you wish you'd been taught in school. I think the Thomas Cahill hinges of history books are great too:

Mysteries of the Middle Ages, Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea, Desire of the Everlasting Hills, The Gifts of the Jews, and How the Irish Saved Civilization.

You sound lovely and articulate OP.

Just read wildly OP.

The best advice.
When you find something that interests you, find a book about it which you enjoy. Then find another.

Fiction counts too. You'll read a whole lot of rubbish that didn't happen mixed in with facts (some authors are worse for this than others!) but you'll learn through further reading the truth for yourself and in doing so will draw your own conclusions.

Find something you enjoy...and follow it.

You do write really well, but you might want to find some vocabulary building drills. I found that much of learning a profession was learning the new language. The more new words you learn the better your reading experience will be.

There are lots of educational topics on Youtube and even on Netflix and Amazon. Pick a topic you would like to learn about, and then discuss it with DH as you go along. I was interested in the Tudors and I have learned a lot that way.

I have uni degrees, but they are limited to science and law. I am quite lacking in liberal arts.

One thing I actually noticed in first year law was how ignorant I was of my country's constitution and legal processes. That's an area you could start with as it helps you understand what is happening.

Good luck, and enjoy.

I recommend finding a factual show and trying to stick with it, or a podcast.
There are also ted talks.

Side note, I really wanted to understand broadly uk politics, so I watched question time for like 3 years straight.

If I were you I would subscribe to The Week

All of the above.

Remember, too, that curiosity and the ability to ask questions are also signs of intelligence. "This is really interesting -- can you tell me more?" has always served me well in conversations with people who know a lot about a certain subject. I've often learned a lot in a few minutes' chat.

Also, op, are you sure you're not falling prey to people who spout bollocks??

A huge impression of education can be given with confidence - it's all in the delivery!

Too often, people who speak with certainty and assurance (and a few big words) are actually spewing the biggest pile of 2 dimensional rubbish...

"Also, op, are you sure you're not falling prey to people who spout bollocks??

A huge impression of education can be given with confidence - it's all in the delivery!

Too often, people who speak with certainty and assurance (and a few big words) are actually spewing the biggest pile of 2 dimensional rubbish..."

Oh yes this with bells on. I know a few men people who could read one article and then confidently hold forth like they had a degree in the bloody subject.

I am very similar OP, I ask questions loads of questions, till I understand, research it on the internet (although depending on what you are trying to understand this may backfire on you)

If you know areas of weakness, for example mine is geography, it was appalling, I found a kids website about countries of the world, basically its a map of a region and asks you where certain countries are. I have gone from only knowing 2 countries in oceania to finding out there are 14 being able to name them and place them on a blank map, I also try and learn a little about the countries I can't name.

My next stop is science, trying to improve my knowledge on that probably starting from age 6 education

Lots of good advice about reading and watching documentaries, you could also see if your local library has the Libby app or similar for members, masses of magazines on there on every topic under the sun, from history to current affairs, plus newspapers. Or if you're not keen on the library option, Readly has loads of titles too (basic monthly sub around £8).

I would get a subscription to the Times as I find it's more balanced.
Go to museums, galleries and plays.
Read classics (loads of classics libraries really cheap - I did a Read 20 classic books challenge one year)

These are all great ideas on how to learn more and be interested in different topics- if you want to, of course.

It may be though that it is your lack of confidence that is holding you back. I am not as well-read as I should be, and I didn't have a classical education, even though I'm highly educated to PhD level in my specialist subjects. Sometimes I'm at dinners or in situations where I fear looking stupid or not having heard of this book or that. One trick academics do all the time when someone says 'have you read VeryGreatAuthor' is just mumble 'oh, I've heard of him/her' because most of the time, the speaker just wants to bang on about them themselves.

What I'm trying to say is that everyone feels a bit out of their depth conversationally from time to time, so don't worry too much, most people are blagging it a bit or haven't read all of some classic or were away the day they did string theory in physics or whatever. I am extremely ignorant about science, did very little at school, but I can't be bothered to go back and fill in those gaps now, would rather read things I like.

I'd do an OU degree or something like that in the next years if you can, as it will increase your sense of satisfaction a great deal. I wouldn't worry about changing to a profession unless you have a specific job you want to do which is infinitely better than the one you do now, and you have the quals to do so- half the posts on mumsnet are people wishing they weren't teachers, lawyers, academics, doctors and so on.

I agree radio 4 has some good stuff, not just the serious stuff but some of the comedy is enlightening.

Get a daily paper, or even just a Sunday paper, but get a broadsheet not a red top.

Play some puzzle games online, there are ones you have to match flags to their country, locate countries on a map, do puzzles too.

My mother used to say my brother and I collected 'useless information' and it's true.