I’m actually doing it and doing it well

[NeedAHoliday2021]

I started a post grad dip at Exeter uni in September. I work full time and it’s being paid for and supported by my workplace. I have had massive imposter syndrome but 4 assignments in and I’ve had 2 distinctions and 2 with merit. I have 3 dc all in secondary and the most amazingly supportive dh.

It is still daunting and I have until November 2024 so a lot more to do but I’m taking it a month at a time.

Never in a million years did I think I’d be at uni at age 40!

I don’t want to talk about it in real life because… what if I fail?! So posting here because I’m really proud of myself.

And so you should be! I think age and experience have a lot to do with your approach to exams.

DSis is 54 and doing a degree! Good for you o say! I hope it pays off.

Thank you @GoldilockMom I know I’ll be glad I’ve done it but kind of want to skip to the end. I am enjoying the the learning and it’s benefiting how I work.

That's brilliant! It's nice studying when you're older I find. I'm 39 and on second module of an undergraduate degree.

This is great to read, @NeedAHoliday2021 !

It sounds as if your diploma is a natural progression of your current work - which must be rather satisfying and offer some certitude of promotion once you’ve finished?

(I threw myself into a postgrad degree in a completely new (to me) area of study when I was about a decade older than you. Incredibly hard, but came out with a distinction!)

I left school with hardly any qualifications but studied a Level 4 Diploma, qualifying at the grand old age of 56! 😁

@CrispsnDips well done! I left uni after year one (following a traumatic attack) and found a job in my chosen field so never went back. It’s a big gap in my confidence but the uni accepted me after interview by acknowledging my work is degree level.

The pg dip is level 7 so can turn into a masters with an additional piece of work (and an extra £4k).

Which campus are you at? I started an undergrad degree in September at the St Lukes campus at the grand old age of 46. I had similar confidence issues but really seem to have settled in this term. Passing the first round of exams and assignments has helped massively.

@IncognitoChuckwalla st Luke’s too. What are you studying? I’m only on site for contact days as most is online as it’s a senior leader apprenticeship linked to my job.

Medical Imaging. Total retrain for me. Lots of online prelearning but compulsory lectures, seminars, workshops and labs. And a placement starting in April, gulp.

Oooh where’s your placement? Good luck!

Derriford, Plymouth (totally outing as I'm the only oldie going there but have name changed). How often are your contact days?

Good luck! I’m sure you’ll be fab. There’s a couple of derriford colleagues in my course.

We’ve had 2 every half term but now there’s a gap for portfolio building so there’s 2 more in May. I do like being on campus but it’s a 1 hour 45 minute commute each way (should be 1 hour but traffic!) so by the end of day 2 I’m shattered.

I too am doing a 2nd Masters degree at the age of 46 and its good fun. Makes me feel younger and connected to what’s happening in today’s world (its in a tech subject where things change quickly).

I find its easier to structure and pin point areas where i need to focus more but at times it’s difficult to find motivation to do assignments after work and family commitments.

Good luck to you OP. Feeling good abt yourself is very important.

Well done! I have just completed a masters degree at 42 and am awaiting my final result for my dissertation, but got very good results for my other coursework. It was such a boost for me as I have had a patchy career due to my husbands job and moving around a lot, so this felt like it proved I wasn’t as rubbish as I felt. If I could afford to, I’d definitely consider doing another one!

@BlauVogel and @Roundthebend45 that’s brilliant, well done both!

unfortunately I have a new manager and he does not support me doing the course so continued digs and guilt trips are becoming really draining. He’s been told by senior people he has to support me but his comments are awful and basically I should be really grateful always to him for allowing me to continue (HR told him he couldn’t stop me as it was in place before he started so he’s only allowing it because he has to). It’s exhausting and is taking the shine of it. Need to keep plugging away to achieve it despite him!

@NeedAHoliday2021 thats awful! Don’t let him undermine you.

I haven’t spoken much about my MA to people as I have also been worried about failing and being ashamed of it, but when it has come up I’ve been amazed at the number of people (who have good jobs/careers) who are quite dismissive and sneery about me studying. Asking why I’m bothering or what do I think I will really achieve now I’m in my 40s! My (very supportive and lovely) DH thinks it’s some kind of jealousy or insecurity on their part - and I bet that’s why your manager is trying to put you down too.

Use his negativity to spur yourself on and do well - he can’t take it away from you and you should be really proud of what you are achieving. 😊