Is there a specific Mature Study & Retraining board?

[Edmontine]

I know there have been mature student threads. But I feel I’ve read countless, tentative Am I too old to - threads, with each OP believing they’re the first person ever to consider a degree or postgrad at 30 / 40 / 50 onwards - and almost talking themselves out of the idea before they’ve even posted.

It would be helpful to have a dedicated space - with a note at the top assuring people that they’re not freaks and would be welcomed by places of learning.

(If such a board already exists and I’ve failed to find it, consider me suitably embarrassed.)

I had one of those 'am I too old' threads earlier this year, so would appreciate a mature students topic.

I'm starting my first degree in September at the age of 43.

Oh ... What prompted your decision RhinestoneCowgirl?

Yes, I would be really interested in a topic on this. Thanks mnhq

I'm interested in this too. In October I'm starting an OU course in Environmental Science, and I'm 46!!

I'd be interested in this too. I'm 36 and have been a SAHM for 5 years, I want to start my second career but think I'll probably need some retraining or to go back to uni and not sure where to start!

This is a great idea Edmontine.

I was looking for career change pre-pandemic @Edmontine and had left my job at end of 2019, I intending to have a bit of time off and think about what to do next. I've spent time volunteering over the last year with children and young families and have signed up for a degree in Early Childhood, eventually hoping to work in something like play therapy.

My rationale is that I'm not going to get any younger, so if not now then when? I want to study and use my brain and open myself up to new opportunities. Plus my DC are now early teens, so I have more time for myself.

Yes please, I'm doing a PhD at 42 at the min and would love somewhere to chat about this sort of stuff. Great idea!

I wanted a board like this a few years ago - there was only a board in parenting which was meant for parents of students I think... I retrained between the ages of 41 and 44, doing something akin to a UK degree- apprenticeship but in another country. I found it much more challenging than the standard bachelor's degree I did at a good UK university as a school leaver, and than the masters I did while working full time pre kids (actually that was easier than my bachelor's...).

I looked on here for places to talk about the challenges of retraining/ studying whilst simultaneously working and juggling all the responsibilities and time and emotional demands of making sure school aged children weren't disadvantaged by my choices. Doing it in my second language also added to the stress for me - it's actually not that unusual to be retraining in your 40s because your original qualifications aren't recognised after emigrating... I really couldn't find anywhere to post though.

I've made it through and I tell you something - having managed those 3 years and passed it means that just juggling work and 3 teens and pre teens feels joyously easy and relaxed

I'd have really appreciated a dedicated board at the time though.

I’d be doing it purely for enjoyment so it would only seem fair to pay.

There is a £4000 bursary for Masters courses for the over 60s in Wales which may interest some people.

there was only a board in parenting which was meant for parents of students

Oh, yes - I remember that board and looked for it a few days ago. I could never quite understand what it was for; both parents of students and student parents?

RhinestoneCowgirl my DM did a vocational degree while I was an undergraduate. I’ve never been so proud of anyone in my life. Your children may be a little too young to properly appreciate your achievement right now, but they will when they’re older.

@RhinestoneCowgirl

I started an Early Childhood Studies degree when I was 42. It was totally fascinating and I learned so much.

I wish there had been a board like this when I began studying an access course 4 years ago when I was in my early 40s.

I have just qualified with first class degree as an HCP and start my first job tomorrow!! It has been a challenging time, but I have really enjoyed it, full time undergrad degree with 50% hospital placement.

I would encourage any mature student to do this providing you are fully informed on the career you have chosen and know what to expect. I have no regrets at all and a good few years of work left in me depsite my advanced years!

@Edmontine

It can be difficult knowing which board to post on.

Definitely. People often end up posting on AIBU. While most responses are encouraging, there are always people who excoriate the OP for her eternal student pretensions, or tell her she’ll get just as much from volunteering. Or puzzle magazines. Or being grateful she has a roof over her head.

It’s all part of the narrative that persuades let’s say middle aged women that they simply don’t matter, shouldn’t be using family money for themselves, shouldn’t be taking out study loans they may never fully repay, shouldn’t be indulging themselves with ‘hobby’ learning - because they’re too useless to ever capitalise on any qualification, shouldn’t be taking up any space at all.

And it’s bollocks! I had a completely thrilling time, came out top of my year, and am gradually carving out my own place in a niche field. Brain being exercised, voice heard professionally, fabulous new friendships and contacts, nearly three decades after my first degree and in a completely different area of learning.

Starting a second degree purely because it sounds interesting and I have some free time. This post resonates so much!! People seem very put off by anyone who chooses to learn because they want to, I've had people say "my husband would think I'm being selfish" and it isn't fair on the family. Am lucky enough to have a well paying job I can do with my eyes shut, but there's a lot of judgement about studying and self improvement generally.

I meant in the sense that people are a lot more supportive if it's directly related to work.

Adding to the yes pleases!

Yep I would love this. A severe illness give my career the boot. Once I got myself in a place where I felt I could do more than just sleep I did an access to HE in social sciences. Not only did I love learning it did wonders for my Confidence and self esteem. I applied for uni to start in September. I got offers for 2 RG groups, law and environmental health. I turn 42 in October. I've 4 kids and when I'm starting my final year my son will hopefully be starting his first year. They are so very proud of me. Everyday since I've confirmed my offer I've questioned myself am I being silly? Am I to old? An actual proper forum where we could support each other would be amazing.

This is me! I am starting a MSc in September at 43. I need all the help I can get!!

I’d be interested too.
I am in the early stages of doing a professional qualification around working full time and family, and moral support from anyone in the same boat would be great

This is excellent! Not a single dissenting voice so far - though how could there be?

Good luck on your first day, bluefineliner! Hope it’s fabulous.

I’ve just completed the dissertation for a taught MSc and would have loved a thread/topic. I’m ‘extreme’ middle age too, have studied a subject completely unrelated to my profession and have been told it’s not ‘practical’ (by DP’s friends), ‘doesn’t really matter (by my mother) and that it’s selfish (by a few people). It has been great though, fantastic for ME. I’ve done really well up to now I'm actually feeling really upset atm as I’ve totally messed up the dissertation and won’t get my longed for distinction.

@Aurignacian

I’ve just completed the dissertation for a taught MSc and would have loved a thread/topic. I’m ‘extreme’ middle age too, have studied a subject completely unrelated to my profession and have been told it’s not ‘practical’ (by DP’s friends), ‘doesn’t really matter (by my mother) and that it’s selfish (by a few people). It has been great though, fantastic for ME. I’ve done really well up to now I'm actually feeling really upset atm as I’ve totally messed up the dissertation and won’t get my longed for distinction.

My mum said when I got my offer for Law...ohh you should go and so a wee course on how to take bloods... got to love the parental support.

Fist bump, Aurignacian ... (Is it pointless to say it might not be as bad as you think?)

Throughout the entirety of my MA I assumed I was doing spectacularly badly: that the collaborative section of my work would have to be expunged from the record; that I simply wouldn’t be able to write my dissertation because I was too exhausted; that the tutors would for ever after regret giving me a place on the course ... I just assumed I would fail. It was only a couple of weeks before the end of the teaching year that I began to realise that actually ... I was beginning to look like a successful student. (There was a day when a god-like tutor, in charge of many big and important things, who had never bothered to notice me before, stopped and chatted for a good ten minutes, praising my work and detailing the effect it had had on the entire department. All done in a public place where other students could see. I nearly died of shock.)

I did get a distinction. And then, days after receiving my grade, was told by a close family member to “forget about [my MA subject] because it wouldn’t get me a job”.

@beefcurry oh yes, my mother can be very dismissive in a ‘what on earth are you doing that for’ kind if way. Go you in doing law!

@Edmontine the main problem with the dissertation is that I submitted late. I’ve put in for special circumstances but they may not be accepted. I had to take an interruption of studies last year due to Covid (i’m a cat 1 keyworker and pretty much worked non stop last year, had 6 days off in total). It took me a while to get to grips with academic writing again. Im hoping the actual research will get to distinction level at least even if they take marks off for the late submission. I want to do a PhD but won’t be able without a distinction.

Fantastic that you did so brilliantly. I couldn’t believe my marks for my first few assessments but it felt amazing.

I’ve been told the ‘won’t get you a job’ thing too