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Ask HN: How did you start higher education after 40?

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Re: Ask HN: How did you start higher education after 40?

#31

Post by account-5 »

I'm finishing up a Comp Science degree, distance learning. Didn't do well at school, due to severe undiagnosed dyslexia, so went into the military as a boy soldier.

After being diagnosed (32) I was told I could have gone to university had it been diagnosed at school. So when I had a secure enough job with enough money to try I did.

My experience of starting this later in life is that you are more focused, patient with yourself, and dedicated. It's been hard working a full time job, with kids, and other commitments but has been worth it for me.

My imposter syndrome has decreased, as my confidence in my abilities has increased.

I will finish it soon but now realise, for me personally, academia is not for me. I like practical useful stuff and with a few exceptions most of these academic courses aren't useful.

Re: Ask HN: How did you start higher education after 40?

#32

Post by ivansavz »

Tangentially related to your question, but I figured it might help if you need to review math at some point. Given it has been a while since you last did math courses, I have a non-free book on CALCULUS[1] and another one on LINEAR ALGEBRA[2] that are written specifically for adults who need a condensed (but complete) review of the material. See PDF previews below.

[1] https://minireference.com/static/excerpts/noBSmathphys_v5_pr... [2] https://minireference.com/static/excerpts/noBSLA_v2_preview....

Re: Ask HN: How did you start higher education after 40?

#33

Post by dev_0 »

monkeycantype wrote: post #13

I'm a software developer, and had got into a rut of working for finance companies, because they have the money. I'm in my early 50's with four kids, three still at home, and I'm working my way slowly through a biomedical science degree, already it's given me the domain knowledge to able switch industries - I'm still a software developer but now in a biomed startup and much happier for it. One of my colleagues just co…

You can do that only if you are FIRE

Re: Ask HN: How did you start higher education after 40?

#34

Post by CoastalCoder »

eric4smith wrote: post #24

Unless you’re teaching don’t waste your time. To me it smells like a vanity play, unless you’re doing it so you can get another 100k per year. And yes, I can hear the people saying education is always a good thing to have. But it reminds me of so many friends who have jobs less than 100k per year in the USA and go to take a masters degree. In almost every case, the higher degree did not change the outcomes they wante…

I think you're over-generalizing from your experience.

I got a PhD in CS around 40. It opened up some job opportunities in software development that greatly improved my career.

Re: Ask HN: How did you start higher education after 40?

#35

Post by inphovore »

letsgo39 wrote: post #12
cdicelico wrote: post #7

I went straight to work and didn't get to college until 41/42. I'm working on my undergrad and plan to continue to my masters. I've found it incredibly rewarding for two main reasons. First, since I have a career already, I'm free of the pressure to go to school for career purposes and can focus on something I enjoy, which also provides immense value to what I'm doing every day (I chose philosophy, much more relevant…

Can you expand on how you found philosophy practical?

I find philosophy is the sauce that goes well on everything.

Sure, you can live on the bland essentials, and you cannot live on toppings alone, yet who doesn’t like a little… sauce with that?

Re: Ask HN: How did you start higher education after 40?

#36

Post by barry-cotter »

specproc wrote: post #18
barry-cotter wrote: post #5

I got a Master’s without ever having a Bachelor’s starting when I was well over 30. Feel free to email me if you want to know anything. If you already have a successful career in a non-credential field it’s unlikely getting a vanity credential like a taught Master’s will do much for you, unless it’s a finishing school proof of class habitus like an MBA. A Ph.D. like an MBA is good for changing fields and perhaps soci…

My partner didn't finish her undergrad, but was accepted onto an MSc program in Manchester in the UK on the basis of her work experience. I think students with experience are great for courses, and applications from these sorts of candidates look great amongst piles of identikit young over achievers.

It’s a taught Master’s. They want the money and some scrap of a justification for admitting you. Don’t overthink it.

Re: Ask HN: How did you start higher education after 40?

#37

Post by barry-cotter »

cluelessmaker wrote: post #8
barry-cotter wrote: post #5

I got a Master’s without ever having a Bachelor’s starting when I was well over 30. Feel free to email me if you want to know anything. If you already have a successful career in a non-credential field it’s unlikely getting a vanity credential like a taught Master’s will do much for you, unless it’s a finishing school proof of class habitus like an MBA. A Ph.D. like an MBA is good for changing fields and perhaps soci…

If you don't mind, could you share the university you went? I dropped out my bachelors in final year, and kinda old now. Spending 1 or 2 year for masters is okay for me now, but don't want to spent 4 years for bachelors again. Trying to figure out options.

University of London. There’s more than one Master’s degree that allows you to take individual modules as stand alone qualification and once you hit the limit you transfer to being a Master’s student proper. I did Finance. Last I looked the London School of Tropical Medicine also did this. If they offer a Postgraduate Certificate they’ll probably take your money for an individual module if you have any evidence you can do postgraduate level study. I had a MicroMaster’s from EdX.

https://www.london.ac.uk/courses/international_type_of_study...

Re: Ask HN: How did you start higher education after 40?

#38

Post by pelasaco »

I'm starting now Philosophy, remote. I did study computer sciences when I was 20, then because of Corona, I did a post graduation in game development, and now I applied to a BA in Philosophy, starting in October. I think now I can plan much better my day and be more disciplined. After some life experience under my belt (or belly) I think (I wish) I can grasp better such topic.

EDIT: I'm married and have kids, which add some unavoidable appointment clashes. But I'm able to manage them mostly studying either at 5:00 or after 21:00...

Re: Ask HN: How did you start higher education after 40?

#39

Post by The_Adger »

Depends on the country you're in. I'm in my early 50s and in Germany where attending university is not as costly as elsewhere. Having a degree can help your career but it's no guarantee. The by far most challenging part for me was coming to terms with myself. Do you really want to do it or not? "Maybee" is no sufficient answer. If your answer is "Yes!" ask yourself "Why?" Don't stop short of an answer that satisfies your best and most sceptical friend. This took me a lot of talking and time but it paid off in the long run whenever motivation became an issue (motivation will wear thin at some point.) After that I went to the university of my choice and talked with the office dedicated to "older and long term students". This was tremendeously helpful in many ways. Most importantly during this meeting I learned that I could shave two semesters and various "required" courses from the BA curriculum. And it allowed me to skip the numerus clausus because of previous job experience. I'm currently applying the finishing touches to my MA and am offered (without me asking for) to do my PhD afterward by two different professors, which to my knowledge is a first in my university, so yeah, I certainly have done some things right. Looking back it was quite a ride. I learned tons and became very good friends with amazingly brilliant people. My life has changed in so many ways. Some of the people who used to be part of my life before university have parted ways because I changed on the inside. I spent endless hours reading stuff that still does not interest me. Not even remotely. I've written pages on end about stuff that I couldn't care less about. All of this because others told me I had to do it. In doing so I grew and I really like what I have become: More knowledgable, understanding and critically thinking. Come on in! The water is fine! But don't do it for the merits. Do it because you really want to.

Re: Ask HN: How did you start higher education after 40?

#40

Post by stagger87 »

I started an MS in applied math in my very late 30s only having a BS in CS. I did it one class at a time, and it was relatively easy to juggle with work and family. At the time, I was looking at a lot of jobs that required an MS, which was the original motivation for starting it. I ended up not needing it in that way, but it has still been instrumental in my career and I don't regret it.

I paid out of pocket and it has financially been worth it. A lot of companies will pay for it, but I wasn't in that position. If a company pays for it they might want you to agree to work for them several years after you finish.

If you don't love learning and being in school, it's going to be a long unenjoyable slog. If you're only doing it for money or vanity, that may not be enough to carry you through the hundreds to thousands of hours of study and homework you will have to do.

You will encounter a lot of naysayers, as you have already seen in this thread. This includes family and friends.

You will also get better advice in a different forum. A sub reddit dedicated to your industry for instance?

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