Doing a masters at 52??

[MagsMagnolia]

I have the opportunity to do a funded masters through work and I don't know if I'll cope with the study anymore! I used to be able to study for hours and really enjoy it. I could take in lots of information and learned and retained it relatively quickly. Always did well, with good results. I've never found study onerous (if it's a subject I enjoy).
Fast forward to now and I'm 52 and menopausal. I struggle to find the right words on a daily basis, call the grown up kids by the dogs name and frequently lose my glasses/keys/purse and anything else that's not attached to me. My concentration span has diminished and I haven't reached 'flow state' in any task for years.
The masters would open up opportunities for me professionally, change my current role in a positive way (I'm feeling disillusioned and quite frankly burnt out), get me off shift work and would mean I could work later into my 60's, quite probably to retirement - in my current role I doubt I'll get past 60 without going part time. But I'm so scared I won't be able to study and learn like I used to.
I'd really appreciate any experiences of studying later in life - the good and the bad!!

MagsMagnolia - You made me really laugh thank you - on a day when I am sitting here thinking the same thing as you.

I am 59 and am due to start an MSc in September in PBS as I have twins with autism and without the support out there this course will be a very positive thing to do. However, just like you I forget words, mix the kids names up (3) and wonder if I can do it. I have never studied at level 7 before and don't have a bachelor degree but lived experience +++ RGN (without degree) and various other courses but no where near that level. I have been doing other shorter courses just to be get my brain concentrating again and that has been good. My husband likes to kid me and said last night 'You are going to be able to remember the title of the course?' x

i work in a university and, believe me, plenty of academics lose their keys and forget my name... it's not really a signaller of academic ability.
And I don't want to invalidate your menopause experience but the things you mention would not affect you from studying successfully at a high level.
Sounds like you've got the passion and the ability to do well. If you can commit to the time required, I'd definitely say go for it.

@MagsMagnoliadid you start the course? Hope it’s going well!

It'll come down to this.

Do you wanna do the masters?

If you do, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find reasons not to.

But in life, usually better to try than to not try. Good luck either way.