Has the time passed to pursue my dreams?
Some years ago I was at university studying for a degree, when the storm of depression hit.
It pushed my life off course for 15 years until I was eventually diagnosed bipolar and stabilised.
My life is OK now and I'm returning to finish my degree.
Previously, my ambition was to go on to do a master's and then a PhD.
But I'm now 35 and, had I not been wiped out by depression, I would have most likely achieved those things by now.
So my question is; has my time passed?
Do I still gun for a master's and PhD, which I still have the drive for, or not?
Thanks in advance for your input.
It pushed my life off course for 15 years until I was eventually diagnosed bipolar and stabilised.
My life is OK now and I'm returning to finish my degree.
Previously, my ambition was to go on to do a master's and then a PhD.
But I'm now 35 and, had I not been wiped out by depression, I would have most likely achieved those things by now.
So my question is; has my time passed?
Do I still gun for a master's and PhD, which I still have the drive for, or not?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Reply 1
11
Original post
by mathpersonSome years ago I was at university studying for a degree, when the storm of depression hit.
It pushed my life off course for 15 years until I was eventually diagnosed bipolar and stabilised.
My life is OK now and I'm returning to finish my degree.
Previously, my ambition was to go on to do a master's and then a PhD.
But I'm now 35 and, had I not been wiped out by depression, I would have most likely achieved those things by now.
So my question is; has my time passed?
Do I still gun for a master's and PhD, which I still have the drive for, or not?
Thanks in advance for your input.
It pushed my life off course for 15 years until I was eventually diagnosed bipolar and stabilised.
My life is OK now and I'm returning to finish my degree.
Previously, my ambition was to go on to do a master's and then a PhD.
But I'm now 35 and, had I not been wiped out by depression, I would have most likely achieved those things by now.
So my question is; has my time passed?
Do I still gun for a master's and PhD, which I still have the drive for, or not?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Go for it!!! Honestly I’m 17 and I’m scared of losing years of my life, but seeing that you have that drive id say if it was me in the same position then go for it! You live once, so pursue what you want most and you’ll get it!
I’m sure you’ll do great, don’t ever underestimate if there isn’t enough time. This may come across a bit wrong but 35 is not too old for anything! No age is too old or too late for anything! So go ahead and live your best life
Reply 2
Only if you want it to be. Your life is your own and you can choose to continue to pursue those dreams or not. As we get older and go on through life, some dreams come true, some do not and some change, you get new dreams, but they are yours and no one can tell you what to do with them. I'm 38, none of my dreams were educational, i achieved the owning a house and marriage, unfortunately my dream of having kids was cruelly ripped away but i have had to find new dreams to fill that gap, i'm still working on that but i must remain positive.
No reason not to pursue it. There's no age limit on academia...
Reply 4
Original post
by mathpersonSome years ago I was at university studying for a degree, when the storm of depression hit.
It pushed my life off course for 15 years until I was eventually diagnosed bipolar and stabilised.
My life is OK now and I'm returning to finish my degree.
Previously, my ambition was to go on to do a master's and then a PhD.
But I'm now 35 and, had I not been wiped out by depression, I would have most likely achieved those things by now.
So my question is; has my time passed?
Do I still gun for a master's and PhD, which I still have the drive for, or not?
Thanks in advance for your input.
It pushed my life off course for 15 years until I was eventually diagnosed bipolar and stabilised.
My life is OK now and I'm returning to finish my degree.
Previously, my ambition was to go on to do a master's and then a PhD.
But I'm now 35 and, had I not been wiped out by depression, I would have most likely achieved those things by now.
So my question is; has my time passed?
Do I still gun for a master's and PhD, which I still have the drive for, or not?
Thanks in advance for your input.
No chance it’s never ever too late.
I started uni at 21 but dropped out with two CertHEs but no actual degree after I had my second child.
I returned to part-time studying when I was 37. I'm now 41 and graduating this year (looking likely I'll be awarded First Class Honours). I'm also starting a part-time master's degree in September so I'll be 43 when I graduate from that.
After that I fully intend to go for a part-time PhD. I'll be 49 with a doctorate.
My hubby started full-time uni at 44 and graduated at 47. He's now 48 and doing his full-time master's degree. He may or may not do a PhD after that, he hasn't quite decided yet.
You should absolutely go for it. If that's what you want, just do it.
I returned to part-time studying when I was 37. I'm now 41 and graduating this year (looking likely I'll be awarded First Class Honours). I'm also starting a part-time master's degree in September so I'll be 43 when I graduate from that.
After that I fully intend to go for a part-time PhD. I'll be 49 with a doctorate.
My hubby started full-time uni at 44 and graduated at 47. He's now 48 and doing his full-time master's degree. He may or may not do a PhD after that, he hasn't quite decided yet.
You should absolutely go for it. If that's what you want, just do it.
(edited 8 months ago)
Reply 6
Original post
by mathpersonSome years ago I was at university studying for a degree, when the storm of depression hit.
It pushed my life off course for 15 years until I was eventually diagnosed bipolar and stabilised.
My life is OK now and I'm returning to finish my degree.
Previously, my ambition was to go on to do a master's and then a PhD.
But I'm now 35 and, had I not been wiped out by depression, I would have most likely achieved those things by now.
So my question is; has my time passed?
Do I still gun for a master's and PhD, which I still have the drive for, or not?
Thanks in advance for your input.
It pushed my life off course for 15 years until I was eventually diagnosed bipolar and stabilised.
My life is OK now and I'm returning to finish my degree.
Previously, my ambition was to go on to do a master's and then a PhD.
But I'm now 35 and, had I not been wiped out by depression, I would have most likely achieved those things by now.
So my question is; has my time passed?
Do I still gun for a master's and PhD, which I still have the drive for, or not?
Thanks in advance for your input.
There's no reason why not, except a million. Are you just perversely sticking to an 'old you' ambition, or does this course of action still make sense? You will be 15 years or so older than the people around you - and starting a career from the bottom - can you live off a post-doc salary and terms when you are 40? Is that what you want to do, or would you rather take a path that might lead in new, positive directions, like the undergrad, a few year's work, and MBA and acceleration that way?
It's not a bad idea, just don't take it because it was what you wanted 15 years ago. Do what's best for you now, don't make plan based on the old you, make a plan based on the current, recovered you.
Original post
by hippieglitterOnly if you want it to be. Your life is your own and you can choose to continue to pursue those dreams or not. As we get older and go on through life, some dreams come true, some do not and some change, you get new dreams, but they are yours and no one can tell you what to do with them. I'm 38, none of my dreams were educational, i achieved the owning a house and marriage, unfortunately my dream of having kids was cruelly ripped away but i have had to find new dreams to fill that gap, i'm still working on that but i must remain positive.
Reply 8
Original post
by mathpersonSome years ago I was at university studying for a degree, when the storm of depression hit.
It pushed my life off course for 15 years until I was eventually diagnosed bipolar and stabilised.
My life is OK now and I'm returning to finish my degree.
Previously, my ambition was to go on to do a master's and then a PhD.
But I'm now 35 and, had I not been wiped out by depression, I would have most likely achieved those things by now.
So my question is; has my time passed?
Do I still gun for a master's and PhD, which I still have the drive for, or not?
Thanks in advance for your input.
It pushed my life off course for 15 years until I was eventually diagnosed bipolar and stabilised.
My life is OK now and I'm returning to finish my degree.
Previously, my ambition was to go on to do a master's and then a PhD.
But I'm now 35 and, had I not been wiped out by depression, I would have most likely achieved those things by now.
So my question is; has my time passed?
Do I still gun for a master's and PhD, which I still have the drive for, or not?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Hi!
Time/age should never be a factor to consider when pursuing the masters and PhD that you wish to complete!
There are plenty of mature students only beginning their undergraduate degree, it is never a factor that should hold you back.
Degree courses nowadays are definitely a lot more versatile, with a wide range of people of all ages taking part, and everyone brings something different to the table.
You’ve clearly been through a lot and come out the other side with the motivation still intact, which says a lot!!
Age really isn’t a barrier, especially when you’ve got the drive and a clear goal in mind. If a masters and PhD are still what you want, then there’s no reason not to go for it. Your path’s just been a bit different, and that’s completely okay.
Best of luck with everything—sounds like you’re more than capable of getting there 🙂
Gemma
Official LJMU Student Rep
Reply 9
20
A good way to get back into studying is either Open University - or something like one of these courses at Bristol
CertHE Foundation Years | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol:
Its never too late. Get your mojo back and its all very much still possible.
CertHE Foundation Years | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol:
Its never too late. Get your mojo back and its all very much still possible.
Reply 10
20
Thanks for all of your responses, I really do appreciate it.
It sounds as though going ahead with this now that I've recovered is very much still a possibility and won't be viewed as odd. Some people have told me that the age range of students who do postgraduate study is much wider than at undergraduate level.
Although I must admit that @threeportdrift does make a good point: am I pursuing a dream I once had, but is no longer relevant?
I'm going to press on and see how I feel in a couple of years time when I have to make the decision.
It sounds as though going ahead with this now that I've recovered is very much still a possibility and won't be viewed as odd. Some people have told me that the age range of students who do postgraduate study is much wider than at undergraduate level.
Although I must admit that @threeportdrift does make a good point: am I pursuing a dream I once had, but is no longer relevant?
I'm going to press on and see how I feel in a couple of years time when I have to make the decision.
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