Has anyone gone back into education as a mature adult?

Jon

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and by mature I mean above say 24 lol

I've been thinking about new skills I'd like to learn. Been thinking about doing a course on some basic plumbing and maybe plastering as I figure those are two skills which I could actually put to use at home!

I don't want to earn any money or anything from this adult learning, just have more skills.

Has anyone on here gone back to education to do something similar? The last time I was in a 'night school' type environment was when I was re-doing my GCSE English and Maths back in 1998 and as a then 17 year old with a bunch of older adults I felt like a right fish out of water! I suppose I wouldn't feel like that now at least!
 

AngeBot

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I have! A few times. I'm currently studying Physics with the OU and I love it. I'm 34 atm and at least 3/4 on my course are around around my age and over. I'm the same as you too. Not doing it for money. I just love education. Wish I had loved it this much when I was actually supposed to as a kid! :D

When I went back to do GCSE's there were all ages there. When I was in college doing Health and Social Care in my teens, there was a guy in his 80's sitting the same exam. Go for it I say!
 
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Jon

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I have! A few times. I'm currently studying Physics with the OU and I love it. I'm 34 atm and at least 3/4 on my course are around around my age and over. I'm the same as you too. Not doing it for money. I just love education. Wish I had loved it this much when I was actually supposed to as a kid! :D

When I went back to do GCSE's there were all ages there. When I was in college doing Health and Social Care in my teens, there was a guy in his 80's sitting the same exam. Go for it I say!
ah wow that's ace!

Have you ever been tempted to go to local colleges instead of OU?
 

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Yup. Just finishing my first year of a Nutrition and Public Health degree and I'm 34. I do want to use this in a career but I'm not 100% sure exactly which direction I'll go in though.
 

Karonher

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I trained as a teaching assistant at 51 but that was in order to work as one. I wasn't working at the time and the job centre were beyond useless but if you dont have them hindering you it should be achievable.

My next door neighbour has just finished training as a plumber after being a kitchen worker/chef for 15 years.
 

Littlemissraining

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I'm another OU student (part time). It's hard work balancing a full time job with a part time course...but if you took something more practical than academic and a few hours a week I think it would be perfect.

I am rubbish at DIY and often fancy doing some like that so I'm less phased by jobs around the house!
 

The Reverend

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I work in an industry that loves a professional qualification.

I've gained one (self-funded) and I'm working towards my next. Always be learning. :)

p.s. plumbing is easy. being a good plumber, not so much! I'd not want to learn a skill for 'fun' that will see friends/family hassling me to do freebies for them and then complain once the work is done.
 

homie

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Over the last 7 or 8 years I have learned to:

Service a car
Fix leaks and change Taps
Lay Bricks
Build an electric bike
Bake cakes

All from the school of youtube.

A long time ago I did do a couple of evening classes at my local adult education place. I did an accountancy course because I thought I wanted to use it in my job but it was so boring I never wanted to do accountancy again after I passed the exam. Largely a waste of time but at least it has helped me look after my own earnings and financial affairs a little bit.
 

AngeBot

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Have you ever been tempted to go to local colleges instead of OU?

I've been to local colleges to do other courses in the past, but this course isn't available there. It's in local uni's but only if you study it full time. I like the flexibility that comes with an OU course.

What are you thinking of studying?
 

Hezzy

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I did a top up qualification at 40 (mid life crisis!)
Don’t worry about feeling out of place just go for it, you never know where new experiences will lead and learning is a great focus if you’re enjoying the subject
 

Lizziew24

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I did an MA in social work at 31. Full time uni over 2 years. Mainly people over 30 on the course really.
 

georginauk

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I did! I did a Master's in Logistics and Operations a couple of years back while working full time and I chose to do it because in Spain companies don't care how good you are at your job, they only look at the amount of "Titles" you have under your belt (we call it titleitis lol) so since I already do this for a living I thought it would be smart to get the certification.
It was hard work and many nights I swore I would never study ever again but now... I am already looking at starting something else! haha
 
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Jon

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A lot of people saying they did this to further their career.

Maybe I'm looking at it wrong as something to do to learn new none work related skills (ie plumbing, house maintenance stuff!)
 

homie

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A lot of people saying they did this to further their career.

Maybe I'm looking at it wrong as something to do to learn new none work related skills (ie plumbing, house maintenance stuff!)

No, I think they are two separate things. Both are a time and money investment in yourself.

Academic qualifications to further your career will potentially earn you more money in the future.

Practical training (not necessarily with any qualification attached) will potentially save you money and hassle from paying a mechanic or builders etc in the future.

I get the impression you are looking for something like this Introduction to Plumbing course, rather than a full on college course, which is what most people think of when someone says getting back into education.
 
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Jon

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No, I think they are two separate things. Both are a time and money investment in yourself.

Academic qualifications to further your career will potentially earn you more money in the future.

Practical training (not necessarily with any qualification attached) will potentially save you money and hassle from paying a mechanic or builders etc in the future.

I get the impression you are looking for something like this Introduction to Plumbing course, rather than a full on college course, which is what most people think of when someone says getting back into education.
I think you're spot on there!

The course will cover all of the obvious issues that can arise within a domestic property in an attempt to teach you how to deal with certain things but more importantly, will provide guidance on when/if you really do need to call out a Plumber.
 

Jon

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there's a heck of a lot of courses on then. I actually like the idea of 'short courses' rather than a Uni style 30 week marathon!
 
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Karonher

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I was hoping there would be more about Egypt as the only ones are art and currency.
 

An-na

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Here's another site to check out. I have done a few courses from it.
All for free or you can pay for extra access if you want but it is not a
requirement.

 
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