Thanks for everyone who commented, I read all your words of wisdom.
I've been thinking about this for some long time and today I enrolled for the first module of my Environmental Science degree, although it doesn't actually start until October. I am now officially an undergraduate (again) and will be for the next six years after which I hope to be able to call myself an ecologist, albeit somewhat poorer financially, I expect to have achieved a long term goal and therefore will have a smug grin on my face for weeks.
Comments
bravo
Very good for you. This seems to be a deep love in your life. I wish you the best and hope the studies go well for you.
Dahlia
Good for you.
I didn't see your initial blog post but I would certainly have supported your doing just what you are. Where are you studying for your degree? The Open University?
I don't think there's much point my thinking about it if it takes that long :) I'd be 82 at the end ( assuming I survive that long) and in any case I'm not bright enough.
Robi
Oldest participand on one of
The oldest participant on one of my modules was 83... her hobby as it were was studying with no overall title in mind.
She saw something she thought would be interesting... took the module. One person asked "why are you doing this; if you don't want a degree out of it?"
Her answer always stuck with me:
"I'm doing it because I enjoy it and I can afford it; I learn something new every day; and when your expectations otherwise are limited to sitting in an old folks home watching some horror on daytime TV; its no contest.
Actually I have a Degree.. and am 5/6ths of the way to a Second. and when I finish this one and am still around... guess what...."
I do hope she is still there... knocking off another one
And Robi; NOBODY is "not bright enough". Many of my course colleagues over the years had NO formal education whatsoever when they began; and the look of joy on their faces when they passed a course test not to mention the final exam... that alone validated their own self image because they found out that they actually could... Better than any medicine.
P
Study:
Speaking as the holder of an OU BSc (Hons) Degree covering several fields of endeavour; (mostly technology it has to be said; but not exclusively): As long as you enjoy the process of gaining it with no expectations; other than getting the award at the end of it; its a wonderful way to keep the "little grey cells" occupied; and the best outcome is, funnily enough, the acquisition of knowledge itself.
Don't be surprised if you are tempted to wander a little from the chosen path when something you learn during a particular course opens up new doors that have fascinating things behind them.
I told myself when I started. "its going to cost a bomb"; however; what would I spend it on otherwise.... for me; no contest.
Enjoy the process...and the number of new friends you make during; and keep after your courses are an added bonus.
The end-of-course grin is something to be cherished.. The graduation photo at the end was worth all the pain-in-the-pocket...
Good luck...
P
congrats!
Congratulations and hope you are ready for this big adventure. Wear that smug grin with pride!
I'm told STFU more times in a day than most people get told in a lifetime
will have a smug grin on my face for weeks.
and so you should Angarhad , It takes a little courage to commit for a six year course ,But dreams are always worth chasing , Now all that remains is to start behaving like a student and going to all those parties :)
Kirri
Had enough of those
the first time round - didn't enjoy them much then, possibly because I was trying to pretend I was somebody else. Now I'm too old to stay out late unless it's looking for glow worms, nightjars or moths. I try to pretend I'm a scientist rather than a gadabout. As a scientist, I make a good cyclist (and I'm a lousy one of those too.)
Angharad
my Bsc (Hons) - Human & Natural Environments
took 7 years! (it got extended due to foot and mouth outbreak)
I suppose I can call my self an 'Archaegeobiologist' !
It was hard work - 16 hours of tuition a week fitted around working full time but the end result was satisfying.
Hope you enjoy it
Mads
Madeline Anafrid Bell
Archaegeobiologist!
Does that mean you dig up old things that were once living from rocks?
Angharad
This sounds wonderful
The subject sounds great. If I could do something like this I would.
Congratulations!
The first step is always the hardest one.
Cheshire Cat!!!
In the words of that famous philosopher Georgie Best...." I spent 90% of my money on booze and women, the rest I wasted."
Enjoy the journey and smile all you like.
Dear 'Fresher'
Congratulations on your enrolment. My own opinion on studying, adventuring and generally getting into trouble is that those are the things that make us grow through forcing us to look outward. I hope you get some interesting tutors and fellow students to share your new world
Rhona McCloud
Awesome!
I completed my BA in History when I was 60. I wasn't full time but I took a lot of classes of the years, starting in 1974. If I could afford it I would be a perpetual student, and find that with a lifetime of experiences all the subjects are interesting.
Study what you enjoy.
Jeri
Jeri Elaine
Homonyms, synonyms, heterographs, contractions, slang, colloquialisms, clichés, spoonerisms, and plain old misspellings are the bane of writers, but the art and magic of the story is in the telling not in the spelling.
Well done for taking the plunge
I may well follow you and sign up for the OU General Degree programme once I make the final decision about retiring. This will probably happen in early June while I am on Holiday in the USA.
For those who don't know about the OU,the Open University can be found at http://www.open.ac.uk You don't even need any formal qualifications to sign up!
Samantha
Congratulations on "coming clean"
I've just got to 2694 of "bike", and all the time, your reactions and views on items ecological and academic rang so true that I believed you were writing from knowledge and experience. And now you are genuinely going for it, I hope it will not prove a disappointment. Kathy's views on and methods of presentation are so rare, but nonetheless valid.
Best wishes
Ang's new degree
GOOD ! Then when Cathy gives us the devil, our writer will have the backing of an official sheep's skin.
I guess that means 'Bike' will go on another six years, Cathy will become Chancellor, Trish will be Prime Minester
Karen
Education
Way to go. You've nothing to regret. It will keep you young at heart