Am I mad and too old?

9 replies

fedupnorthernmum · 05/06/2015 11:13

I gave up work 4 years ago due to my role being very demanding and my health was suffering. I had always wanted to do a degree and have just finished my first year with really good results and I love learning.
However, when I started I was being helped financially by my father, but recently his business (that he has not worked in for 8 years) went into administration which mean no more help although father is still financially secure (thank goodness).
My husband wants me to continue as I have gained so much from it and is encouraging me to train as a teacher afterwards (Sociology/Psychology). I am 47 so am I being foolish to a)continue and do teacher training b)continue with degree and then go back to my previous line of work c) just continue for the love of learning?

OP posts:

Millymollymama · 05/06/2015 11:41

Can I suggest that doing teacher training in these subjects might not easily lead to a job. It might, but these subjects are not taught in every school. I would definitely do the degree because you love it but I think these subjects may not be sought after in the workplace, but I would investigate teaching further as a possible job. Can you return to a lesser role in your previous career?

Teaching is not a stress free job! It is very, very hard and demanding. It has changed beyond recognition since your DH was at school. So will you really want to do this? I would encourage you to find out if teachers of Sociology/Psychology are in demend in your area. Also if you go into teaching, you need to go in with your eyes open. If you were unhappy with one demanding job, will you be happy with another one?

ragged · 05/06/2015 21:26

Keep going FedupNM!! You can do it. You don't have to have a perfect plan where it leads to, just keep developing ideas. The degree will open doors. Is this OU or another Uni?

PositiveAttitude · 05/06/2015 21:38

I am 48 and studying again and absolutely loving it! I have a 24+ loan, which you can get to finance your degree. Why not just continue on the degree and see what you feel like doing at the end of it. Well done so far!!! I assumed when I did mine that I would be sat in a room full of 18-19 year olds, but there is a real mix and I am not even the oldest!

Original poster

fedupnorthernmum · 07/06/2015 11:10

Thanks guys, studying at uni and although I am the oldest I feel as young as ever! I think over the last two days I have decided to continue and your post have made the decision so much easier. It's a joy to be studying again.

OP posts:

craftysewer · 08/06/2015 23:08

So glad you've decided to carry on studying. It sounds like it's been a really positive experience for you. I'm hoping to start Uni in September 2016 (currently doing a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design) and will be 53 when I start!

UptheChimney · 10/06/2015 07:46

OP never too old to learn, and not mad to want to. Go for it! I wish more of my 18 year olds realised the utter privilege it is to be handed university on a plate. I love to have mature-age students.

Go for it!

Original poster

fedupnorthernmum · 10/06/2015 16:45

UptheChimney thanks for the encouragement, just found out I have past with a first in my first year, over the moon!!!!!

OP posts:

Mrsjayy · 10/06/2015 16:51

Woman i know retired in her late 50s (she is a medical Dr) did a degree with Ou finishec when she was 70 it was to keep her brain from going mushy she said, i would finish what i started if you can afford it then why not

Poisonwoodlife · 11/06/2015 14:41

Totally agree that education is wasted on the young. I was 50 when I finished my Master's, and I already had a degree from when I was 20 AND an MBA from when I was 30! I was far more motivated and got a lot more out of it this time around. And I am now addicted and on to a PhD.

One of my fellow alumnae from the MBA switched from her business career into an OU PGCE aged 50 and has been teaching now for 10 years and loving it. She has ended up teaching Business Studies and Media Studies alongside the academic subject she intended to teach and that has nicely undermined the intellectual snobbery she entertained about those subjects and Sociology etc also entertained by many on Mumsnet who don't actually know anything about them . Yes it is hard work but also rewarding and widens your horizons. I think that like her these days it is very common to go on to work at the schools in which you did your teaching practise.

Flip