Anyone starting new courses this year?

[HighlandCowbag]

I am!

Have just completed a degree in Eng Lit and Philosophy and start an MA in Literature and Creative Writing in a few weeks, full-time so over a year. It's at the uni I did my degree at so not quite as nerve wracking as a brand new uni, and have a few mates still knocking around.

I am very, very excited. I couldn't justify all new stuff but did treat myself to 2 new Moleskin notebooks which are all shiny and crisp ready for new ideas. I'm 46 so v mature for a student, but absolutely loved doing my degree and hoping to love the MA just as much.

Need to find a couple of pairs of comfy but smartish trousers/joggers/combats. Jeans cut into me after a few hours I find tho I do have a v comfy pair from Next I'm going to see if they still have in stock.

Anyone else starting something new and exciting?

This is really inspiring. I'm 54 and into part2 of a msc.

It really is. I would love to do a PhD but keep thinking I'm too old. I'd be 47 when I started but this makes me think maybe?

Learning is a lifelong activity so you are never too old. There are a number of preparatory steps you could take which will help you make an informed decision For example start thinking carefully and in detail about what you would like to investigate. Explore university offerings that match your interests and have conversations with them. Think about your learning style as completing a PhD requires total self motivation and perseverance. Talk about it with people who are important to you as you will need their support. Good luck !

Thank you, I'm definitely going to investigate further and have a chat with a couple of lecturers/professors. DH would be fine with it, and I think I am focused enough to get through it, I treat uni as a job that needs a certain amount of hours doing and always have a Plan B and a Plan C when I have stuff due in. But need to consider whether it's worth it, as I have no desire to be an academic.

An academic as in lecturing etc, though would happily study stuff forever if they would let me.

I am not an academic (would never want to be one) and have a successful career. But for me the skills and confidence I acquired completing my Doctorate go beyond the requirements for an academic career.

I'm starting an access course in humanities and social sciences next week. Hoping to get a good enough result to do social work next year. I'm nervous and excited and worried I'm not clever enough. I'm 42 and only have a few GCSEs

You can do it @ButtonMoonMrsSpoon! I didn't follow the natural path to university, far from it. I ended up with a PhD, I always say that if I can do it anyone can!

Interesting comments above because I've been saying that every qualification was my last one for nearly fifteen years. 😂

Today I started an A Level in Biology!
Without wanting to sound arrogant I have always found education fairly easy... I don't know if its the fact that it's science and I'm a humanities bod or if it's the huge gap since I last studied but it is HARD. I'm feeling pretty despondent tbh 😕

Yes - a full-time PhD in psychology that begins in a few weeks' time. I work full-time so part of me thinks I'm crazy, but I've been researching my topics for months, have done 5,000 words, and compiled a preliminary reading list, so I feel fairly prepared for it though I'm a bit daunted about the scale of what's required. I'm 48 and took out a doctoral loan.

Wow @curiositykilledthiscat full time and a full time job. I did mine part time with a full time job and I thought it was tough. You sound very organised (more than 5% ish there already 😂) and a PhD is obviously on an area of huge personal interest which helps to keep you going if you start to flag.

You'll have to keep us posted.

It’s wonderful to read about what everyone is doing. There are so many people out there supporting you and wanting you to succeed. When you are flagging just reach out !!

Inspired reading this thread!👍 the kids or parents round here leave out study guides outside houses once their exams & revision are over. Picked up some science ones and there're really interesting 👌...too late to study science at 65..🤔

I'm starting to get a distance learning course.

I'd love to do a PhD.

Wow, that sounds intense! My MA is full-time and I'm anticipating that being full on. I do a few hours a week on our business paperwork, have the ponies and ds (10) to sort daily but still worried about time management. No way could I do even a part time job and study full-time!

Just about to start an Eng Lit OU course. This was my dream at school, but life had other ideas, and I ended up doing one which was totally different and led to my career.

I'm not toooooo many years fron retiring now and thought I would finally do what I promised myself at age 14! I'm a bit nervous though

Me! Just about to start a Masters in Decorative Arts with the Wallace Collection and Buckingham. I am 60 next year, have resigned from work and am so excited! I asked for a reading list in July - nothing yet. Not sure whether to buy a tablet and type notes as my handwriting is awful. Think I might wait until the 1st week.

Honestly it's not too late. I too would love to do a qualification in science - particularly astronomy or physics. It's always been a regret of mine that I didn't study science at school and have virtually no scientific knowledge. Alas, I have Long Covid so probably couldn't cope with doing exams etc now. So I'm just doing quizzes on BBC bitesize for the time being! 😊

I had SO hoped to sign up for an OU course this year but my son was seriously ill this summer so everything got put on hold. I'm in Scotland & a Carer so, atm, I'd not pay fees. I'd need recent evidence of study to apply to an actual Uni (Edinburgh to study either Theology or Creative Writing is dream). Feeling despondent I've missed the boat. I'm 56, so no time to lose ...

I had an application ready to go to start the first year of a masters, but got cold feet at the last minute 🙁
Really wanted to do it but just don’t know if I can manage alongside a demanding FT job (even though I’ve studied while working before)

I'm 42 and started a BSC in leadership and innovation in nursing. It's a top up as I only have a diploma. Cant say I have any enthusiasm for the subject. But since the trust are paying, I can't really complain! Did surprisingly well with first assignment though.

Worth talking to the admissions team. I couldn't provide sensible recent evidence of study so asked the Admissions team what they required for mature students. I do have suitable qualifications but from a very long time ago. I used a professional reference from my workplace and the 2nd was from someone connected to part of the field I want to study. The interview was tricky - no allowances were made.

Definitely speak to the admissions team. And if it's still a no, find an adult college locally where you can do a foundation/access course. I had no recent study, did a degree with a foundation year at my uni. The foundation year was very helpful tbh, it meant I started my degree 'proper' with an understanding of the technology, academic writing and referencing and a basic understanding of studying at degree level.

I'm starting the 2nd module of my OU Law degree in October. I'm 34 and work within the justice system in a non-legal role but would love to train as a legal adviser once I'm qualified.

I'm starting an MBA in September. My employer is paying and will also give me study time to attend face to face and online study. It's been years since I did any study and I'm really looking forward to it. Me and my dd will graduate in the same year.

I'd love to do a PhD in an area I was really interested in but cant afford to self fund whilst I've got the youngest two at uni.

No notebook yet, but I will choose one soon