Hi All,
My kids are at school now, and im about to turn 40 this year.
I've been a stay at home mum for 6 years, previously I worked in HR.
I've been toying with the idea of doing a Teacher's Aide Course, but a family member insists I should do the Uni Degree because she thinks I would be a good teacher. This is not the first time I have been told this either.
The (my) problem is at the end of the year I turn 40. How am I going to cope being around 20 year olds. it is a 4 year degree. Could I possibly even learn at this age? I have a home to run, kids to look after and a husband who travels frequently for work. I am so incredibly torn at the moment. Would love some opinions/suggestions/anything really? Part of me wants to enjoy the "freedom" another part of me wants to do something productive.
Thank you to any one who responds... x
8 Replies
Yes you can cope with learning at your age you learn new things every day
And coping with 20 year olds? They want to be there so they do the work. If you don’t want to be around younger students maybe do it online?
When I went through uni there was no stock standard. Sure there were plenty of 20 year olds but there were lots of mature aged students too. I actually loved being in classes with them because they offered so much more life experience and a different perspective
I don't think it's too old, if that's what you want to do! I have worked as an EA and personally find that older graduates are a lot more mature, they have their life experiences and are so much more tolerant and understanding of troubled students especially, and they can control a class. I don't think it will matter learning alongside younger students, you are all there to learn!
You won't get an aged pension before 70, so looking at it that way, you have a lot more years of work life so changing now isn't late in the game. Even if you have awesome super you will have another 20 years minimum
No way your too old! You will also be surprised how many mature age students there will be!
Not at all too old! When I was studying my education degree there were about 10 students who were 40+ years old. You certainly aren’t too old. I loved partnering with the older ones as they were so dedicated and committed and had life experience! Good luck if you take that path :)
I am just about to start my 2nd year of Uni and I turn 50 this year. I put off going to Uni for years because I thought I was too old. I was so intimidated by all the young ones when I started but as the year went on I realised that it age makes no difference when it comes to Uni. Yes, at times studying and running a household is challenging but it isn’t impossible. I say go for it. Maybe start by doing the first semester part time & ease in to it.
Well you have to work until you're 65 - 70.
Teaching is a job you can do all the way until retirement.
Also you can travel and teach overseas.