I want to go back to school but my top thought is “I’m too poor”

I have no idea how these guys paid for all 3 of them to get degrees at the same time.

I’m pushing 40 and going back to education has done wonders for me. I went in to a study field that I’ve grown up loving and enjoying, thinking I was billy big balls and thinking it would be easy…

…which it was for a few weeks, but one of the biggest things I’ve learned from academia is how much I don’t know. It’s given me a more positive mindset, especially seeing lectures from some of the tutors who have more postnominals than I’ve got in my postcode - I see it as a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of the brightest minds in the country, and to enjoy myself while doing it.

I do get though that higher education is expensive and a big time drain if you’re working full time, but I’ve chosen a study area completely different from my employment - so I’m literally doing it for funsies and my future employment isn’t tied to that which is a very fortunate position to be in.

I’d recommend anyone pop along to their local FE college or local uni, and see what part time or distance learning courses they might offer - the worst that could happen is that nothing interests you!

As an ex-ICT staff at a uni, it’s startling and heartwarming to see the sheer number of older people coming in to study and learn and spend their retirement productively.

I audited a history class at a junior college just for fun when I was ~26. I did none of the assignments and just did the reading and discussions. It was great.