don’t give me the it’s never too late bs. Life happens, people have jobs, debts and rent to pay.
Going back to school when you’re employed means debt, earning way less or nothing during your bachelor or master, stress, opportunities you’re not aware of because you’re simply not at your workplace anymore, unpaid overtime during those 2 to 3 years… the money you lose is more than what the bachelor / accreditation costs.
When does it start being a stupid idea? Is it when you’re 30? 40? 50?
I’ve known even elderly people to go back and complete advanced degrees.
Your good until your in a pine box or an urn.
Learning should never stop for any reason. However you do have to temper your expectations when learning a trade or skill you can’t use due to personal limitations. This needs to be taken into account but that is something an individual should weigh on their own with the people in their life.
In theory never, in practice, after you have kids. Many people do it after having kids but they have amazing time management skills like my ex.
It depends on what you want to do when you go back to school.
If you’re switching careers, I’d put the early 40’s as a limit unless the career has age limitations.
If you’re getting a degree to enhance your existing career, I’d put the early 50’s as a limit unless you intend to not retire immediately.
If you just want the degree, there isn’t really a limit.
I went back to school in my 40s and changed careers.
Me too.
The increased pay covered the training costs and lost earnings within five years and I’m so much happier.
Do you feel it was a viable and smart decision still?
For sure. I was in a dying industry, and now I have the makings of a career. I would say: have a goal, map out the steps it will take to achieve it, then take the first steps!
It is never too late to go back is not bullshit.
people have jobs, debts and rent to pay.
I had all of the above and a family to support and I went back to school and got my masters degree.
It depends upon the job you are pursuing. I went back to school at 35 to pursue a trade in HVAC. I don’t recommend doing that much later. I ran into a lot of age discrimination when attempting to find a job.
I think this question greatly depends on where you live. Is uni free where you live? I’m guessing not from you mentioning the cost of a degree and debt. Then how does the debt work? In some countries, the government issues student loans that are repaid much less stringently than most loans, and it’s not a big deal.
Depending on how the system works where you are, I’d weigh up the financial cost of going back to school vs what you would gain from it. What are you looking to get? Education for the sake of education? A better job, such that the financial cost of the degree will repay itself? The uni experience you missed out on? Something else? How much do you value that thing compared to how much it will cost you?
Never. Not what you want to hear,but hear me out. Because if it safes your sanity it is worth it.
-
I got my apprenticeship as a paramedic first and then went back to school to get my full A-Levels. Specialized school we have here,thankfully for these cases. The oldest one of my classmates was 52.
-
I studied economics with someone who was 55 and basically had already done the job we all wanted when we graduate for 25 years. He did so so he finally would get a more comprehensive background and maybe get up the ladder once more. (Which according to linked in he did)
-
I currently do another master (in a distant education setting,though) simply out of interest in the field and to broaden my CV. And you know what? I am 25 years in my field and still learned a fuckton of things, got a better network, love the research field AND got so much better at my job AND found a lot of opportunities.
-
An former paramedic trainee of mine was almost 50 when he started paramedic training. He was a C level executive before and at one point had enough - he changed careers so he would not get even more depressed and is now very happy with it. And I had multiple people do that in my bubble.
Now,from my current perspective: Was it stressful? Fuck yeah. I literally cried sometimes. Was it a tough time financially? Fuck yeah. I am self employed/have a small company and I had month were making ends meet was really though due to the added expenses and the lost revenue. But it still was worth it. Because: For what it’s worth we all gonna need to work till 70+x anyway to afford retirement. And that’s a long time.
Because: For what it’s worth we all gonna need to work till 70+x anyway to afford retirement. And that’s a long time
Now that sounds really depressing. Workworkwork and when you’re finally free, you’re too old to really enjoy it all. I retired in my 20s, and now, 30yrs later I still don’t have enough time in a day to enjoy all hobbies. I couldn’t imagine having to wait until I’m 70. An unfair and shitty system 😞
How did you “retire in your 20s”? How do you support yourself? Family money?
-
When you’re dead.
Menopause and severe brain fog would like a word.
I’ve been through surgically induced menopause and I’m fine? It’s a bit baffling and honestly misogynistic to suggest that basically any woman from middle age onwards is incapable of doing a degree. I don’t think menopause made me stupider.
My Mother got her Bachelor’s degree at 55. She graduated with some rare honours.
NEVER stop learning!
Similar thing with my mom, only she retired soon after graduating.
It’s got nothing to do with age. As you pointed out there are financial reasons where you might not be able to. But that’s realy the only hurdle. And there are plenty of ways to clear it.
I went to school with quite a few mature students. They were all great classmates.
Lots of seniors go because they want edification. Never a stupid idea.
Now if you are asking financially, that depends on the time and cost of the program and the anticipated market for that kind of work. Do the math. Cost of school (tuition, books, materials and living expenses x number of years of the program) - opportunity cost of opportunity cost of not working your current gig during those years, + the estimated differential of what you reasonably think you could make for the remainder of your new career before retirement.
Every program, job market and tuition support is different. Do the math with your own local info.
It’s never too late. If you’re 110 you might not make it to graduation though.
Self-improvement is never a stupid idea.
Ceasing to work towqrd self-improvement is what’s stupid.
