Mature Student or Stick at

mundstick · 6 Jun 2011 at 11:42

At 37 I have find myself wishing that I had made a lot more of the opportunities available to me after school. Being the cocky little sod that I was at the time I couldnt wait to leave school as education wasnt for me.

After a series of dead end jobs I started working as an office junior for a small local company which managed stock and agents on behalf or four or five other companies. I found the work relatively easy and after 10 years I was being offered a directors position of the company. Sadly to say after a few more years the company closed and I now find myself employed one of the companies we used to distribute for.

I am now looking at the possibilty of becoming a student again, more than likely towards some form of accounting qualification, ACCA or CIMA perhaps, but cant help but have the thought in my mind that I have left it too late and really shouldnt waste my time!

Anyone out there been a mature student? Was it worth it?

sniffy · 6 Jun 2011 at 11:43

I've met a few at uni. Even one dude who must have been 60/70. Never too late man

Dunks · 6 Jun 2011 at 11:45

Never too old dude, go for it.

Westyfield2 · 6 Jun 2011 at 11:46

We've got a few in our faculty and they always seem to be getting on fine

.

mundstick · 6 Jun 2011 at 11:56

So the general concensus is do it!!!!

thanks for the replies.

I guess the main reason for hesitating is that I have done several courses previously (BTEC National Computing, HNC Computing, OU CCNA) but they never seemed to lead me anywhere although that is probably to do with me not pushing it through.

Back to college then

platypus · 6 Jun 2011 at 11:59

My dad loves being a mature student, he must have done 7 or 8 degrees by now. Keeps him going through retirement (and away from my mother) I think

.

timmy85 · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:01

get it done pal! set up your own accountancy firm then!

mundstick · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:02

platypus said:
My dad loves being a mature student, he must have done 7 or 8 degrees by now. Keeps him going through retirement (and away from my mother) I think .

Well I am not quite retirment age and to be honest if I wanted to get away from the wife I would bugger to the pub

sniffy · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:03

platypus said:
My dad loves being a mature student, he must have done 7 or 8 degrees by now. Keeps him going through retirement (and away from my mother) I think .

lol legend

RDM · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:10

Just finished my first year, don't regret it at all. I do feel pretty old some days and it can be amusing at what trivialities the kids find so important but it has been good fun.

mundstick · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:12

RDM said:
Just finished my first year, don't regret it at all. I do feel pretty old some days and it can be amusing at what trivialities the kids find so important but it has been good fun.

Thanks. Out of interest what sort of course are you taking and what mode of attendence?

doddsy105 · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:17

dont waste your time, you'll be getting a pention soon lol

RDM · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:18

mundstick said:
Thanks. Out of interest what sort of course are you taking and what mode of attendence?

Full time, BSc Computer Science. I am also 37 (just!)

sniffy · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:19

doddsy105 said:
dont waste your time, you'll be getting a pention soon lol

It's only three years, he isn't that old and it isn't all about the money.

OriginalJonty · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:19

mundstick said:
At 37 I have find myself wishing that I had made a lot more of the opportunities available to me after school. Being the cocky little sod that I was at the time I couldnt wait to leave school as education wasnt for me.

After a series of dead end jobs I started working as an office junior for a small local company which managed stock and agents on behalf or four or five other companies. I found the work relatively easy and after 10 years I was being offered a directors position of the company. Sadly to say after a few more years the company closed and I now find myself employed one of the companies we used to distribute for.

I am now looking at the possibilty of becoming a student again, more than likely towards some form of accounting qualification, ACCA or CIMA perhaps, but cant help but have the thought in my mind that I have left it too late and really shouldnt waste my time!

Anyone out there been a mature student? Was it worth it?

You're not too old. I knew plenty of mature students at uni and they all seemed happy with their choice. Go for it.

mundstick · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:20

doddsy105 said:
dont waste your time, you'll be getting a pention soon lol

Oi you cheeky whipper snapper... perhaps you should be doing some more studying as its spelt "pension"

Posty · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:32

i am not 100% sure but i dont think you can study those accounting courses at university

pcoltrane · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:34

37 certainly isn't too old to be taking ACCA or CIMA. As long as you are prepared for the hard work involved your maturity and experience will probably help you.
It is usual to study those qualifications while working full time.

mundstick · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:35

The University of Northampton, which is where I live, run the ACCA course. I am just conatcting them now for admission details.

mundstick · 6 Jun 2011 at 12:37

pcoltrane said:
37 certainly isn't too old to be taking ACCA or CIMA. As long as you are prepared for the hard work involved your maturity and experience will probably help you.
It is usual to study those qualifications while working full time.

Thanks for the reply. I will indeed be taking the course whilst working full time. As I mentioned in an earler post it wont be the first time I have been back in to education so I have an idea of the comittment invoved.