Work or back to Uni at 30?

[jeanette1976]

I'm in a dilemma as to whether or not I should return to uni for a second degree in Creative Advertising as opposed to my boring, non-challenging job in a tiny office.

This is a huge life turner and I'm pretty excited about it, but I'm worried that I will make the wrong choice, or not like the course, not get on with the young'uns (I'll be 31 when i start).... and my worst nightmare..., SKINT for another 3 years!!!!! (Not that I'm comfortably off now...)

My first degree was in Fine Art, which is a great thing to have for Creative Advertising, so thats a good start and to be honest, I haven't got anywhere with a Fine Art degree but realize that I should be doing something creative with my life and not working in an office environment.

I'll have to pay for it this time as its my 2nd degree and my mate is 30 and he made the same decision and works 37 hours a wk and 30hrs on his course! I don't thnk i could handle that for 3 years.

Plus, I'm so scared that i'll waste another 3 years of my life and not get anywhere at the end.

[Rubyrose]

Better to do it now than to not do it and regret it when you are 40! Thats another 10years to worry about when doing the course! Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today. Just do it... at least if its that bad you can quit.. but if you never attempt it.. you will never know.

[joannie10]

yes agree with rubyrose - of course you need to know you can pretty much afford to do it but I feel if you dont you will only regret it later. Good Luck

[pussnboots]

One of my daughters is 38 and has 3 children. She is in her 2nd year doing a law degree. She says its tough but it will be worth the effort in the end. Go for it, you dont want to say"if only" years down the line.

[Hellyon]

Only do it if you really, really want to. The fact you're asking suggests your not totally convinced. Rather than do another degree have you looked to see if there any jobs within the field of fine art or creative advertising which would enable you to train 'on the job' as it were. There are jobs out there that allow studying this way through NVQ's, which are more practical based and go right up to degree level. You get paid while your doing them too.

[Reverandfunk]

I worked full time and did my degree, it was hard work but if you put your mind to it you can do it. I would advise against doing a full time course because you will be in with 18-20 year olds and trust me they will do your head in! On a part time course you will find my people your own age and will all be there for the same reason i.e. to get on with it, whereas the full timers regarded it as a bit of a doss. Also no money would be tough and there's no point running up massive fees if you won't be earning brilliant money at the end. Anyway good luck ;-)

[alijangra]

I am just coming to the end of year one of my second degree. It is a four year degree and I get no financial help at all as it is my second degree. I have recently taken the decision to leave university and start a family. This was due to an incident where I could have been really badly hurt/killed and it made me look a little closer at what is important to me. Maybe I will go back and finish the degree in the future. I guess what Im saying is go for it if you really want to, and you can always quit if you change your mind.

[Scylax]

Reverandfunk (above) has the definitive answer.

Avoid the full-time courses and enrol as an external
student, while continuing to work in order to keep
yourself and pay the fees.

After my 1st. degree I gained 3 more degrees at
Masters level, and worked full-time throughout. Great
fun. Studying became a hobby and I'm still at it.

Suggestion : try an MA in Fine Arts, followed by an
MBA, followed by an MSc in..... whatever.

See you in college, and by the way I'm old enough
to be your father, or even granddaddy. Heigh-ho.