Am I mad? PG study in my 50s

My friend’s partner went to uni and took a law degree at the age of 63. He’s now 71 and although he got his degree last year, he’s signed up for another three years. Think for him he was proving a point to himself that he could do this as he left school with no qualifications and it keeps him active and focused.

Never say never GO FOR IT. I was in my late 50s when I finished the work needed for a degree. On route I got an HND in Social Care, an HND in Health and Social Welfare and a Diploma in Management whew.

NannaBanana - Go for it and don't look back. I did my PhD in my early fifties and certainly didn't feel old. However, if you really do wonder about being too old, think of my current situation - I am 68 and starting a two-year post grad diploma in a different specialism this coming academic year, and I fully intend to practise when I finish it. I asked the programme leader when I applied if I was too old and his reply was that 'older' students (like me) are like good wine ... so if I can do it at my age, you certainly can as you're still a spring chicken in my eyes

I'm in my early 60's and certainly don't consider myself 'old'!! I studied for a library assistant's qualification about12 years ago and enjoyed the challenge but did find the workload a bit much! As well as sitting 4 exams over 2 days (my fault I deferred the first lot as we were away when they were on).

Go and challenge yourself!

You're all amazing!
I started an O.U course some years ago, then got overwhelmed by the workload and hid all the coursework behind my sofa, hoping it would go away.
(It didn't, and I had to pay for the uncompleted module)

One is never too old to study! You want to, just go for it! What could possibly go wrong? If you don't like it you can just quit, and pick something else to study! I myself (just turned 60) took op Swedish and studied that for 5 years. This was evening classes but the serious kind, university graded. After that I still had a craving for another language, so I took up Arabic, the writing and everything. Did that for 3 years in high-level courses. Then the school stopped offering Arabic, as non-relevant to integration and employment and so too expensive to keep up. Oh well, I still use all my languages, 8 of them. It's good for my brain I guess ???

Oh lucky you, I was nearly sixty years of age when I finally achieved an M.A. awarded by Salford University. After leaving school at fourteen years of age I finally got the courage to gather all the bits of night school experience and went for it even though I had become quite hard of hearing by then. The younger students did not make any allowances for me, which was a good experience in itself.

Main thing to remember is that the other students, had their own worries and were a very mixed age group, and no I was never considered to be a fount of wisdom. I loved every minute of time spent there and would go and do another course in a heart beat. I wish you all the luck in the world. No, luck doesn't come into it, just hard work and keep at it.

Yes. I did a law degree through the OU during my 30s and masters at 44. I added a (distance learning) 1 year forensic graphology diploma in my 5Os, all whilst looking after 5 children and husband.
I left school with no qualifications whatsoever.
Good luck.

Just go ahead and forget your age!

When I was an undergraduate in the late 1950s/early ‘60s we had a fellow student who was 23. We thought that was old!

I did. Was brilliant. No childcare to worry about or even peer pressure image issues. Much better to do study at this age.
( As a teacher, the oldest person I taught was 82. She passed the course with flying colours).
Go for it!

Definitely go for it. You're never too old to study and there is so much new stuff to learn. I did a degree with the OU when I was in my seventies and got a 2:1. Now I'm doing a course on Humanism with futurelearn which was recommended by someone on GN. It's fun and I'm already thinking about what to do next. When I was teaching I frequently had students in their 60s and 70s and they always did very well and were a pleasure to teach.

I started my doctorate before I retired, though I had cut back on my responsibilities at work and in the home. At 56 I was going great guns until I hit 2 problems, first on the course then at work, so I put off completion until I retired. It never happened, and now at 65 I know that even had I started the data collection for my research as soon I retired, I don't think I'd have completed. I threw the towel in and last autumn picked up another Master's for what I had done, and I started binning my many, many copies of research papers last week.
Strangely on Tuesday I had a conversation with a friend who is in a very physical job and cutting back on hours substantially. We agreed that once you stop working full-time, your energy levels drop markedly, and so goes motivation.
To complete 6 yrs part-time you need lots of interest from family/friends, and lots of practical and emotional support, not just from home, but from uni as well. Very good luck x

I think you know the answer to this question! Good luck!!

I did my Masters in my fifties and got a Merit but never had a first degree, the option wasn’t there when I was younger. If I had the time I would be doing a PhD like a shot. Go for it, you will surprise yourself and the other students by how much common sense and ‘wisdom’ Is simply experience of life.

Good luck and tell us all when you graduate.

Brilliant - you can never learn enough and you are certainly never too old to learn. ?

I'd say go for it! I'm 59 and am studying for a vocational degree in healthcare. I'll qualify when I'm 61, and then I hope to start working again! It is great and I just wish I hadn't spent five years putting it off because I thought I was too old.
My subject welcomes students of all ages because life-experience is so valuable and it is so stimulating mixing with younger folk. Just be prepared for things like 'no I don't remember that hot summer of 1976 but my mum has talked about it'!

Oh wow! Just came back and saw all your positive replies and experiences! I have to do it now!

I went to the open evening, and as everyone here suggested, my age was not an issue at all. I am definitely going to go for it.

Thank you all for sharing, it’s really made me feel so much more confident!

I will come back and update in case anyone is interested.

I did an Art Foundation course in my early 40's during my divorce. Had a gap of about 10yrs but really wanted to carry on for my degree. Circumstances prevented it happening. I'm 66 now & got my Art degree at 59. 1st BA Hons in fact. Loved it. Just make sure you have the money for your educational needs, cost of course, transport, materials etc. Wishing you all the best.

It's not necessary to be taught to cultivate one's mind. However it does help to be guided as to which materials to study and what questions to ask oneself.

I studied for an M.A. In my fifties . I did it part time over two years. I thought the work load might be a bit much so spread it out. I'm so glad I did....the work was fairly light but I got two years of great pleasure rather than just the one. My children ( adults ) came to my graduation. One of my best decisions...go for it!

Just been to an ou graduation ceremony. Inspiring ! Go for it.

Never too old & never too late,enjoy every minute.

I’m 63...got a student loan for Eng Lit degree at university!

Just a quick update to let you all know that I received my offer for the course today! I’m going to uni!