I'm 45 and studying. This is new and exciting.

[TheOtherBennetSister]

I'm being challenged in so many ways - getting the hang of the technology and how to study online; academic language and referencing; the ideas themselves are fascinating and really challenging.
I feel so lucky to have this chance to do it again. My education was utterly wasted on younger me.

Good for you. What are you studying?

My education was utterly wasted on younger me.

Yup. Same!

What are you studying?

Me too, I'm 47 this year. It's a bit overwhelming but also very very rewarding. What are you studying?

I'm doing a post grad in education.
I was expecting to be told how to teach math and PE (!), but the first paper is all about the historical injustices of colonialism, and how neo-liberalism requires the education system to produce an underclass of labourers, so it's built in. And how, as a teacher, my own critical analysis of the curriculum will affect my learners. It's fascinating!

What's everyone else studying?

Congratulations!
I am working towards my first degree in Natural Sciences (I'm 45 too!) and it's been so very good for my confidence. Best decision I made, despite the student loan.
Good luck!

Yes, the financial aspect of (a) paying for it, and (b) not earning much for a year is quite painful. I'm making the most of it.

Medical imaging, diagnostic radiography here. Lots of anatomy and physics. Bloody love it but hard work. Have a handful of other women at the same life stage who are a brilliant source of support.

Hi,
I'm 39 and working towards a degree. Loving it so far. Wish I'd done it years ago lol Just passed my 2nd assignment, so on cloud 9 at the moment 😊

Congrats @Soccermumamir !! Keep it up!

Absolutely agree @WomensLandArmy the women I've connected with who are also juggling work and kids are my lifeline.

How fascinating @TheOtherBennetSister! I'm considering a PGCE but with DCs age 4 and 6 I am feeling very nervous about it, last thing I want is to neglect my own children. What career routes follow a post grad in education, if you don't mind me asking?

That sounds amazing. I love learning. So glad you're enjoying it.

I'm afraid my answer won't be very useful to you @Lollylamb because I'm not in UK.

It sounds very exciting. I'm tempted to do an OU degree, to occupy my time now my children are at secondary. But I recently hit 50 and I'm aware taking on new information slows down with age. I would really love to though!

I have experience teaching from ages 4 - 70+ and I do agree that ability to learn new concepts slows down with age, but isn't that more reason to challenge yourself and keep learning new things?
I am enjoying this second go at studying much more than I did my first go in my early 20s. I had no idea back then! Now, with a much wider world view and 30 years of experience under my belt I am so much more interested in what I'm learning. Also, I have an absolutely real understanding of what it means to take a year off from earning so I'm making the most of every bit of it.

Fantastic. I started a psychology degree during COVID lockdown and only have 2 subjects to go. Like you OP, I'm loving studying again! Tough to fit in with full time work and children though. I'm way more organised this time round!!

Well done, OP! I’ve just started my first degree ( natural science) with the OU. The maths is daunting but I’ve been really surprised at how much I want to learn it so crack on every spare minute I get. Have a great time: best of luck!