Is it ever too late to go to uni?..

rare said:
When I was 18 I wanted to go to university to study History. The one subject I loved more than anything, but at the last minute, decided to leave to peruse (persue) a job opportunity. Since then I have always wondered what would (have) happened to me if I (had) went and studied, would I have (had) a better job? Probably not, but would I (have)been happier?...

My girlfriend has applied to study teaching for 3 years, and I currently live at home. I have been saving for a deposit to move out and have lived the good life for a few many years, buying cars, computers, holidays, pretty much anything I wanted. But I have a empty feeling inside, that I have never achieved what I wanted, that I was better than this.

I have saved enough money to be able to put myself through university, but I would forfeit my job and the prospects of more earnings from it in the future. My mum and GF all say I should follow my heart, as I still have the time to do it.

What (are) people's opinions? Am I to old? Do I take the plunge and do what I always loved, or do I face up to the reality of the world and be grateful for a job. Will I look back when I am 50 and say what if? Thats what worries me.

Thanks for any feedback:)
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Personally think you should forget university and concentrate on your strengths.

Because at uni you will probably run into pedantic ***** like me
 
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I know a guy doing the same course as me, he is 34 and already have kids.
Its never too late to go to University.
However, I do advice that you make sure you know exactly what course you want to take, otherwise, you take a big risk of wasting your time.
 
I dunno really, I'm in the same boat except I'm 22 with no job. I might take a loan out but I have no idea what I want to do, never have. If I was in your shoes I would go to University, you have the work experience to always go back to motors. It's a win win situation. Even if you wasted three years, money isn't everything. As you have proved by saying you are not happy in you're job.
 
rare said:
I'm 24 this month, and have been out of full time education since I was 18. Since then I have worked full time in the motor trade in a variety of positions. I'm currently the manager of a profitable motor factor branch,and consider myself to be good at my job (generally!). I am on a good wage and have good prospects. However, like most people I hate my job. I dislike (nice way of putting it) all the people I work with, and can say the same for most of the people I have to deal with every day.

When I was 18 I wanted to go to university to study History. The one subject I loved more than anything, but at the last minute, decided to leave to peruse a job opportunity. Since then I have always wondered what would have happened to me if I went and studied, would I have a better job? Probably not, but would I been happier?...

My girlfriend has applied to study teaching for 3 years, and I currently live at home. I have been saving for a deposit to move out and have lived the good life for a few many years, buying cars, computers, holidays, pretty much anything I wanted. But I have a empty feeling inside, that I have never achieved what I wanted, that I was better than this.

I have saved enough money to be able to put myself through university, but I would forfeit my job and the prospects of more earnings from it in the future. My mum and GF all say I should follow my heart, as I still have the time to do it.

Whats peoples opinions? Am I to old? Do I take the plunge and do what I always loved, or do I face up to the reality of the world and be grateful for a job. Will I look back when I am 50 and say what if? Thats what worries me.


Thanks for any feedback:)
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Three things:
The factual: You're 24. A world in which people at 24 think is too late to go back into education is a very sad, very rigid and very unrealistic world. I know people in their 40s who did the same and were and still are successful. Don't assume failure before you even start.

My opinion: If you are still longing for the path you didn't take six years ago it is clear this is what you want. This is not something that is going to go away. You have the means, you have the time and you have the will. When you have finished your degree you will have been unemployed during a period where many people were unemployed. You will not be at a huge disadvantage, your experience wont go away and you will be better educated than before.

Your opinion: Will you regret it? If you always play it safe and never take a chance on what "could have been" how do you think you will feel about it? Only you can answer that.

Whatever you choose, I wish you good luck. :p
 
Nope, my uncle now probably early to mid 40's recently completed his masters.

As long as you can afford it why not. It's something I'd like to do later on in life.
 
I know people your age still doing their A-levels and they don't, as far as I know, carry any sort of social stigma.

You're can almost never bee too old for a proper tertiary education. Chase your dreams or you'll regret it later on!
 
I'm in the final year of my degree and I'll be 46 when I finish, so no you're not too old !
There's a good chance that I won't be better off financially than if I'd continued working, but it's something I'd always wanted to do and so I'm prepared to accept that.
 
My 2 best mates at uni were 26 and 25 when we started, they partied with the best of them and age was never an issue.

I say go for it!

I think there are some special grants for mature students. I think you'll be surprised when you get there that there will be people (possibly a bit younger) who have done a similiar thing.
 
24 is DEFINITELY not too late to go back to Uni. If you are really determined, you may be able to study for a degree AND keep working - if you are really determined!

I know someone (now in his 50s) who went to Uni, got a degree and moved on to the world of work; he then worked his way up the ladder to a pretty senior position before going into consultancy. For image and credibility reasons, he studied for and obtained an MBA at the Open University. He has subsequently gone on to get separate OU degrees in Art and History - because he was interested.

Some caveats:
  • You have to be really determined and genuinely interested in the subject to complete the course at the OU
  • The OU is distance learning, you will be lonely as you try to make sense of your coursework
  • You will have to be VERY disciplined
  • You will not get to sit about in the bar or canteen or to party all night with fellow students
  • Not having attempted one, employers don't regard OU degrees very highly
  • The OU materials are 1st Class
  • You have to be really determined and genuinely interested in the subject to complete the course!
You say that your Girlfriend will also be studying, there is something quite magical about sitting down to study at the same time as someone to whom you are close and with whom you are living. Studying requires a "different" mindset and both being in the same mindset and having the same pressures at the same time can eliminate some of the challenges that inevitably result from trying to study. The highs will be higher and the lows will be less low.

Your Mum & Girlfriend are right - seize the hour and follow your heart; if you don't, you will probably regret it until eventually you accept the challenge.
 
My friend has just gone to university to study History and he's 24 - I'd say go for it! University is something everyone should experience in their life - I know I will be pushing my kids to go to uni, that's if they aren't dead set on something else that doesn't require further education.

I did my Law degree and an extra year on the LPC (solicitor's course) - Best 4 years of my life!
 
xyphox said:
You want to be settled in a career you like by the time your 30 otherwise switching to another position could be hard with the employers eyes.

Given you will finish university at 27 this doesn't leave you much time.
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But it's not impossible. I did it.

(That means most people can do it :D)
 
Skyfall said:
Why is that? I went twice and I can't say I was particularly impressed.
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This is only my personal opinion, obviously!

Because it's a chance to immerse yourself in a subject, a chance to gain a qualification you can be proud of, a chance to meet new people, live in a new city, become knowledgeable about an area you are interested in.

All these things appeal to me!
 
Age really is not an issue at university. Apart from the fact you get a degree, it really is an experience. I would thoroughly recommend it. I am studying history by the way, and although it is boring and tedious at times - overall I am enjoying the course.
 
Skyfall said:
Why is that? I went twice and I can't say I was particularly impressed.
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Those who fail to learn at Uni. are doomed to repeat their degree. :p

Not everyone will enjoy their time studying for a degree; I suspect that most do and that many who didn't go to Uni. eventually come to regret it.

However - chacun à son goût!
 
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