going back to college in your 30s

Miss Lizzie Jones · 27-09-2014 09:37PM

lufties wrote: »

Hi there, so I'm nearly 33 and **** sick of my job, if I want to have a change, it will be 5-7 years part time study. Just wondered if anyone has done this, and how has it been for you?

There is a lady enrolled in the college in my area. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday.

Sweet Rose · 27-09-2014 09:38PM

lufties wrote: »

yes, but your still a graduate with zero experience, fighting for an abysmal salary

Fair enough if you see it that way. I wonder are there opportunities in the psychotherapy/ counselling end of things? It is something I would love to study myself.

lufties · 27-09-2014 09:39PM

looking_around wrote: »

I suppose it really depends where your life is at the moment.

If you have dependants or not
Or if you'd rather money or happy work.

Set up your own pros & cons.

Don't let age be an issue. Because it's not.

Its not an age issue,Its a financial one, I currently hate my job with a passion. but I couldn't justify a ballbreaking 7 years of undergrad study to come out the other side on less than half the salary I'm currently on. I don't value money as much as a lot of people either so its not about that.

Beaner1 · 27-09-2014 09:41PM

Sweet Rose wrote: »

Fair enough if you see it that way. I wonder are there opportunities in the psychotherapy/ counselling end of things? It is something I would love to study myself.

I know loads of people that went back to study these topics with vague, idealistic notions about working as a counsellor or psychologist. The reality is that there are relevant jobs maybe for the top 10% of the class if even. There are PhD grads on jobbridges now sure.

looking_around · 27-09-2014 09:41PM

lufties wrote: »

Its not an age issue,Its a financial one, I currently hate my job with a passion. but I couldn't justify a ballbreaking 7 years of undergrad study to come out the other side on less than half the salary I'm currently on. I don't value money as much as a lot of people either so its not about that.

Then..
stick with your job?
pick a different degree?
study part time?

lufties · 27-09-2014 09:44PM

looking_around wrote: »

Then..
stick with your job?
pick a different degree?
study part time?

Yes, well I will have to change my job or be miserable for the rest of my days.

I intend part time study, 5-7 years undergrad study for any degree would be standard.

dar100 · 27-09-2014 09:45PM

Beaner1 wrote: »

That ship has sailed. You will not find work as a psychologist as a 40 year old graduate. It will take a huge toll on your finances and wellbeing in the long run.

Not true,

looking_around · 27-09-2014 09:47PM

lufties wrote: »

Yes, well I will have to change my job or be miserable for the rest of my days.

I intend part time study, 5-7 years undergrad study for any degree would be standard.

The thing is money is always an issue.

and if you pick another degree just based on that, you're likely to land another miserable job.

lufties · 27-09-2014 09:47PM

dar100 wrote: »

Not true,

would love to believe you

Sweet Rose · 27-09-2014 09:48PM

lufties wrote: »

Yes, well I will have to change my job or be miserable for the rest of my days.

I intend part time study, 5-7 years undergrad study for any degree would be standard.

That sounds ideal. You don't have to get up your salary altogether. Go for it. It's something I'd love to do soon but don't have the financial means or time at the minute.

RayM · 27-09-2014 09:52PM

I'm 32 and started a degree course a few weeks ago, after a long period of unemployment (please, cunts of AH, don't start an 'outraged' thread about that - my reasons were valid). I'm doing Arts in UCD. It's early days, but I love it already - great lecturers, great facilities and a surprisingly friendly atmosphere for such a massive place. At the risk of sounding a bit wanky, I honestly can't remember the last time I felt this happy. I'm actually looking forward to Monday morning.

Beaner1 · 27-09-2014 09:57PM

RayM wrote: »

I'm 32 and started a degree course a few weeks ago, after a long period of unemployment (please, cunts of AH, don't start an 'outraged' thread about that - my reasons were valid). I'm doing Arts in UCD. It's early days, but I love it already - great lecturers, great facilities and a surprisingly friendly atmosphere for such a massive place. At the risk of sounding a bit wanky, I honestly can't remember the last time I felt this happy. I'm actually looking forward to Monday morning.

Sure why wouldn't you. Four years of guaranteed welfare to spend in college.

4zn76tysfajdxp · 27-09-2014 09:59PM

You might regret it if you don't, op.

galah · 27-09-2014 10:06PM

hubby (mid-thirties) is currently in his 4th year of a part-time degree. I still dont know how he does it, full time job, two small kids (oldest will be 3 soon) and college on top of that, which means a lot of nights writing essays, Saturday classes, etc. Obviously he has a brillant supportive wife to keep it all running :pac:

plus exorbitant college fees here (well, maybe not as bad as in the UK, but infinitely worse than Germany, for example) on top of the mortgage, not nice.

If you can, do it before you have dependants would be my advice, it's just easier.

RayM · 27-09-2014 10:07PM

Beaner1 wrote: »

Sure why wouldn't you. Four years of guaranteed welfare to spend in college.

I prefer to think of it as three years of feeling that I'm achieving something positive.

Shakespeare's Sister · 27-09-2014 10:07PM

RayM wrote: »

I'm 32 and started a degree course a few weeks ago, after a long period of unemployment (please, cunts of AH, don't start an 'outraged' thread about that - my reasons were valid). I'm doing Arts in UCD. It's early days, but I love it already - great lecturers, great facilities and a surprisingly friendly atmosphere for such a massive place. At the risk of sounding a bit wanky, I honestly can't remember the last time I felt this happy. I'm actually looking forward to Monday morning.

That's brilliant, good on you. Enjoy!

Shakespeare's Sister · 27-09-2014 10:08PM

RayM wrote: »

I prefer to think of it as three years of feeling that I'm achieving something positive.

Don't give malcontents the satisfaction of even acknowledging them.

KungPao · 27-09-2014 10:10PM

I'd say as much as half of my 50+ class is over the usual student age. I'm 33, and I'm not the oldest in my group, not by a long shot.

The kids can be a bit annoying ("I was sooo drunk last night!!!") but I'm sure I was annoying to 33 yr olds when I was 18-19, so that's just the way it is.

I think these days, college is definitely more open to older students - you won't be some weird outcast, so don't worry.

lufties · 27-09-2014 10:13PM

KungPao wrote: »

I'd say as much as half of my 50+ class is over the usual student age. I'm 33, and I'm not the oldest in my group, not by a long shot.

The kids can be a bit annoying ("I was sooo drunk last night!!!") but I'm sure I was annoying to 33 yr olds when I was 18-19, so that's just the way it is.

I think these days, college is definitely more open to older students - you won't be some weird outcast, so don't worry.

fair play, yeah I think I will do something, just trying to decide what.

I did a month long course on dj'ing during the summer but its more of a hobby, equipment is expensive too.

EmilyHoward · 27-09-2014 10:17PM

A lot more common in these recessionary times

alie · 27-09-2014 10:21PM

I was 39 when i went back to college. I cant say it was easy. My brain was rusty and it was nerve wracking also a little off putting when my kids found it hilarous that mammy had homework too. My first module was micro biology...i was like a rabbit in the headlights . I did get into and did well. I graduated and fell head long into work swearing never again. But now I am thinking of doing another course. You can teach an old dog new tricks and wine helps.

Nomis21 · 27-09-2014 10:32PM

Twenty five years ago I went back to college at 38 years old to study travel and tourism married with one child and having no financial resources.

I had the best time of my life with the other students who were mostly half my age. I was a part time coach driver at the time, so I organised coach trips for the students and then started a student travel company that employed three people full time and eventually turned over £200,000 pa.

You never know where that first decision to change your life may lead you...

Senna · 27-09-2014 10:47PM

I just started a part-time degree course and I'm 36 (in a few weeks time). Its one day a week 9-6pm and I work 45-50 hours in a full-time job and have a wife and 1yr old baby girl.
Only done two days so far, but really enjoying it and out of the 14 people in the class, 4/5 are older than me and the youngest is probably 23/24.
I'm happy enough in my current job and the money is good but its not the type of job I would like to be doing when I'm 50, so its time to take action. I do wish I had of done it a few years ago before the baby, but her arrival prompted the career change.

27-09-2014 10:51PM

I went back to college aged 31. Am now in my current career the last 5years. I'm so glad that I went back to college when I did.

As already said it wont feel like its that long....not as long as working in a job you hate forever....

TheBeardedLady · 27-09-2014 10:51PM

I'm 34 and back in uni! Just started a certificate in psychology to get me into a conversion masters. All online. I've had to get a loan out to pay for it and I'm working mad hours as well but it's what I want to do and I have to get out of what I'm doing now or I'll go potty, so sacrifices have to be made.

What I hope to do can be done in your 40s, so I'm not worried about that and I took that into account when I decided on it. In fact, I think if you want to study something like psychology, it's better to go back in your 30s as you've more life experience under your belt.

TheBeardedLady · 27-09-2014 10:53PM

Beaner1 wrote: »

That ship has sailed. You will not find work as a psychologist as a 40 year old graduate. It will take a huge toll on your finances and wellbeing in the long run.

Why wouldn't you?

TheBeardedLady · 27-09-2014 11:08PM

RayM wrote: »

I'm 32 and started a degree course a few weeks ago, after a long period of unemployment (please, cunts of AH, don't start an 'outraged' thread about that - my reasons were valid). I'm doing Arts in UCD. It's early days, but I love it already - great lecturers, great facilities and a surprisingly friendly atmosphere for such a massive place. At the risk of sounding a bit wanky, I honestly can't remember the last time I felt this happy. I'm actually looking forward to Monday morning.

Good for you, matey!:)

I'm delighted to be using my brain again for something I'm genuinely interested in as it's been fairly dormant for a long time now. Really looking forward to challenging it and seeing what I'm capable of and feel that now I'm not doing it simply for the sake of it like I did the first time round. It's going to be a great few years, I think.

cena · 27-09-2014 11:14PM

My problem would be what course would suite me. Do manture students speak to a careers person in the college to get help what course would be best for them

TheBeardedLady · 27-09-2014 11:29PM

cena wrote: »

My problem would be what course would suite me. Do manture students speak to a careers person in the college to get help what course would be best for them

Yeah I'm sure you can pop into/get in touch with the careers guidance office of any uni and ask them for advice.

looking_around · 28-09-2014 12:44PM

cena wrote: »

My problem would be what course would suite me. Do manture students speak to a careers person in the college to get help what course would be best for them

You can speak to career guidance counsellors in uni, and their are normally contact details if there's information you want on the various courses.

I'd advise, reading and learning on your own on the few subjects you're interested in.

It's not just what would suit you, but what you'd like to do.

Check out coursera.org for some free online modules on a wide range of subjects, great way to try out a few things, and what you're capable of.

going back to college in your 30s

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