Hi all,
Apologies if this has been covered before but I am new here and in desperate need of help!
Long story short - I am 36 and passionate about physics and want to study for a degree. I got A's in maths and physics at A Level and enrolled on an Astrophysics degree at Cardiff in 1996. However in a 'sliding doors' moment I left after one semester and ended up on a 16 year career in banking, and am now working as a consultant at 'big 4' firm. Despite never really inspiring me, the career has served it's purpose and I have achieved my material needs. (However this does leave me staring at many more years of paying bills, mortgage etc.)
This means my motivations have now changed, my job REALLY frustrates me and I know what I want to do. But what to do about it?
If I could tolerate the job, it would be a classic part - time OU scenario. However I have been stressed for too long and studies on top would likely add to that. If I could save up enough money to pay the bills while I go full time into study, I could do that but it would take a while.
But - are there any creative options in between I wonder?
I would be very interested to hear any experience of how others have dealt with a situation like this, whether there is anything specific to Physics which may help, or any other creative sources of funding that people have discovered?
Many thanks in advance for reading and any insight you may have :-)