English literature degree at 52. Absolutely ridiculous?

[MaliceInWanderland]

I've been thinking about it for a while now and am almost decided on taking the plunge via the OU.

Part time so it'll take approximately 6 years which just makes the whole thing even more ludicrous

I have no qualifications really - a handful of GCSE's and that's it. I've always loved literature though and I'm at a point in my life where I'm looking for a new challenge

I work part time, my children are adults / almost adult and I can certainly spare the 12 or so hours of study a week

But is it just a really big self indulgent ego trip? A waste of time? Not like I could then use the degree (if I even manage to get it!) for anything as I'll be even more ancient than I am already!

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Go for it! I've just finished my English Literature and Creative Writing degree and I'm now waiting on results. (I'm in my 30s) Every module I've studied has had a wide range of ages and everyone has been supportive of each other's studies.
No need for an Access module to start with, Level 1 will be enough to ease you into studying.

Excellent advice. It'll break you in gradually as you get the hang of studying again.
You know, keeping your brain active is so stimulating as you get older, it actually keeps you young -and interesting!

I did a full law degree at 46. I enjoyed that

You may need to do an access course if no evidence of recent study? My dad had to (and he had a degree already from 50 years ago)

My mum finally got her English Lit degree from the OU in her 50s, graduating the same year as both my brother and I. In her era and family background, even clever girls didn't go to university and she didn't have the chance to fulfill her potential in her youth. She then started a Masters in post-colonial literature, before the insidious onset of the dementia that eventually killed her took the ability to study away from her. You never know what's round the corner - go for it.

May I say that you put yourself down a lot in your posts? You are 100% worthy and deserving of this. If it lights you up, do it, and work on your self belief and self worth alongside it. Good luck!

Go for it, all education is good for the soul. I did English Lit aged 40 and as a single mother of two, it was hard work but very much worth it. My degree was over three years and I had to get through two or more books and lots of other bits of reading around the books every week. The intensity of the reading I had to get through put me off reading for a few years after, but now I do find myself happy to read again.
Over the six years you'd have time to really enjoy the text rather than racing through in a panic, there were so many bits I wanted to look further into around some of the texts, but I was just time poor. Enjoy and good luck!

It's never too late to learn! Good luck OP

Definitely do it! I have the same dream. You can be my role model!
I wanted to do an English degree when I was 18, but my dad said it would be hard to get a job, so I did something more boring. I think doing it now just for kicks is the best time to do it ( I hope!) I want to do creative writing, but helping my DS with his GCSE English lit has really ignited my interest in literature.

I've just finished my 5 th out of 6 years of a part time law degree.. I'm 63 !

Thanks again for all the feedback. I'm more warming up to it

@Seaside1234 yes you're probably right, I do put myself down. I prefer the term 'self-deprecating' 😀 But yes, it's possibly a trait of mine. I regret not applying myself at school because I know I was perfectly capable

And I helped my youngest out of a hole with his assignment recently. Let's just say my help produced his only distinction of his course so that also made me think 'hmm, maybe I could write stuff? Maybe I can analyse texts?'

@NorthUtsireSouthUtsire well done to you. Great achievement

When you say you're 'not academic', what do you mean, OP?

I agree with PPs that an access course would be a good idea as a lead-in.

And also another thought I have ... how many people do a degree without any real qualifications?

I said I have GCSEs. And I do. Two of them 😏 I passed English with an A and English Lit with a B.

Managed an E in Maths and ungraded in French as I walked out of the exam to go for a smoke with some friends

So this is the sort of idiot I was back then. I was so proud when my eldest went to uni and left with a first class honours degree and thought this would be 'enough' of you see what I mean?

I shouldn't really have anything to prove to anyone.

@LongIslander I think I mean that I did very badly at school and left at 16. A couple of GCSEs and that's it. Was unable to apply myself to revision back then as I didn't care.

To say it's held me back - career wise only - is an understatement. I've job hopped for years but just run my own business now

It's not at all unusual for mature students to come on a degree (a conventional one, not OU) via a different path, without the usual school-leaver qualifications, generally via the Access programme.

I'd recommend you call the OU for a chat OP. Given your educational background you may actually be required to do an access course first, but only they can tell you whether that will be necessary. They're very helpful anyway and will be able to answer any questions you have.

@cheezncrackers they've said fine for me to go ahead and do it.

Very inclusive of them

Yeah, they really are! And they know, from experience, that often people with no or very few previous academic qualifications can and often do go on to get very good degrees with them. I'm about to complete a science degree and all I had in the way of relevant qualifications beforehand was a Biology GCSE from 1990!

This is a coincidence! I have just signed up, at the age of <cough> over 60, for an eng lit degree with the OU.

I wanted to do this all my child and teenagerhood but 'life'. I ended up taking a completely different degree as an older student and have worked in that field forever. Finally, I've got time, empty nest, motivation, and joy to do it.

Obviously, I won't get a job or career from it - it will be an achievement, and that's why I've leapt in

Nothing about this is ridiculous. So what if it takes 6 years, it’s better to be 6 years down the line with a degree than 6 years down the line without a degree.

Are older brains not sharp? What subjects are not suitable for an older brain?

OP - go for it!

Nope, not ridiculous at all. Good luck and I hope you enjoy it 😊

i've just graduated with an english degree aged 43 and it was done by me and it is all for me

DO IT!!!!!

Time will pass anyway x

Yes, OP is putting herself down and that needs to stop. Go for it!

You're not having to prove anything to anyone - you're doing it for yourself and to prove to yourself that you've got it in you!

Do it! I did my MA in Eng Lit with the OU at the age of 41. I made a career change to teaching and thought it would be good to help me teach A Level. Did it in 2 years and whilst it was stressful at times, it was a great experience. My tutor was fab and the other students were also mostly ‘mature’ and there was good interaction online between us all. I’m thinking I might do a BA in History soon just for my own interest.