Just started MSc and having a wobble!

[HippyKayYay]

I've just started an MSc in a tech subject. I'm 48. I've had a relatively long career in something completely unrelated area (although I have maths/science A-levels from about a hundred years ago) and this is part of a strategic career-change move. But I'm having a major wobble. There is SO MUCH coding (Python). It's all coding, it seems. And I've never coded before so I feel like I haven't got a clue what's going on. I just don't understand the words they're using half the time. One of those situations where you don't understand the questions because you don't even understand what it is they're asking you in the first place (and therefore don't understand what you don't understand!). It's a conversion course, btw, specifically geared towards people without tech backgrounds. I'm worried that I'll never get to grips with it and that even if I do, I'll never get good at it for this to lead to the planned career change. Arrrggghhh.

I know I can ask the course tutors, and will do once my feet touch the ground. But I just need to be talked down off the ledge first. Or, indeed, told to quit now before I waste more time trying to get my head around something that I'm unlikely to ever get a job in because why would someone employ me and my cranky old brain, rather than some whip-smart 25 year old!

Awesome! What are you studying? And what are the modules with lots of coding?

There are a billion intro to Python courses online and once you have the basics down it honestly gets a lot less scary. Don’t give up!!

It’s hard for universities to pitch these kinds of courses because some will come already with lots of coding experience and some with none. But they want you to succeed and they didn’t admit you to the course without believing that you could.

@Uol2022 Data Science. So every module uses Python!

But yes, I know I should stick with it. It's such a steep learning curve though

Learning something new is really overwhelming. I remember feeling like this age 17 learning to drive and again at near 40 on my Masters! If you can bear it, push through. If it's aimed at those who are new to it then they should be able to provide resources to help you catch up. Email them. Good luck!

I’m the same age and I’ve just started a Masters. I’m so overwhelmed! I’ve felt so ill from the anxiety and overwhelm. I’ve spoken to student support who were very reassuring. I’m taking it one week at a time. I’m hoping this way be a bit of a support thread. I’ve never felt so stupid and inadequate in my life. I’m studying a different subject to you but even finding my way around the apps I need has taken time. We could stand on the ledge and have a wobble together

Good to know I’m not alone! What subject are you doing @Freedbagforlife?

Luckily I’m already really familiar with VLEs, but I can imagine it being really overwhelming if you’ve not encountered one before. It’s also so dependent on how well (or not) the module leader organises things on there!

My masters (comp.sci conversion a million years ago,) was probably the hardest thing I've ever done. But I got through, and so can you.

I've worked in IT for over a quarter of a century now and I still look stuff up all the time. I've also driven adding/updating glossaries/jargon busters in my workplaces. I also ask people to explain terms I don't know in meetings.

But when doing my MSc, I found the lecturers were all willing to help, so hopefully yours will be, too.

Hello @HippyKayYay @Freedbagforlife I started an MSc in September - I'm in my 40s and work full time with young children. My first assessment is due in a few weeks and I'm having the same wobble - will I have accidentally plagiarised, how can I cover everything in the word count, are my references relevant, will the tutors laugh when they read what I've written, when am I going to find time to write it. I'd love to start a little support group!

I've just finished my Masters that I started mid-40s (creative area not tech though - respect to you!) I'm so proud of myself for doing it - keep going, you'll be so glad you did!!