I am an education junkie.
There, I’ve said it. But I KNOW I am not alone. Next Tuesday, I go back to school….
As I write, The Tall One (my nephew: 6’5”, dark, clever, handsome – has lovely girlfriend, sorry potential fans….) is in the process of moving to a new city, to take up his studies in Politics. I will be travelling there by train, twice a week. We will then both be attending the same prestigious Scottish university ! You could not make it up….
Tall nephew, small bag lady….
“Well”, I said to him recently “ if you see a sinister looking old bag lady lurking at the back of your Politics lecture, it will be your aunt, spying on you…..” His reply? “No way! I am having you fitted with a tracking device….” He is my representative for the views of the younger generation and a future contributor to my web magazine. The word is out, Tall One. No escape…..deadline for your first post follows shortly (no pressure of course….)
I am now too old to die young, and have learned throughout my not uncomplicated life never to say “Never.” Just as well. There are various twists and turns I could not possibly have made up, and here is the latest: when I begin my studies next week, I will have been in some form of Higher Education in every decade of my adult life.
Why this time?
I had to give up a busy career(s!) at the end of 2001 following a long family crisis which resulted in severe burn-out. I had to rest from 2001-8 to allow my energy to recover, a difficult but in many ways fruitful time. From 2008 to the spring of 2011 I set up and ran the first phase of what is now a popular Web magazine, ‘Writing from the Twelfth House’ with a substantial article archive for browsing and research.
By the end of 2010, much though I enjoyed being on the Web, and the many virtual contacts and friendships made, I was feeling the need for some new input involving real interaction with people. The part-timeMSc course in Counselling Studies starting next week will, I hope, provide that, as well as a pause point to enable me to reflect on what I would like to do in the next phase of my post-career life. I have an original idea for my third book, and would like to use the 15,000 word Dissertation required for the MSc course to sketch that out. So – we shall see!
Apart from a Degree completed at the end of my teenage years, when the main attraction of Higher Education was escape from home, I have always turned to a postgraduate course of one kind or another to take stock, retrain, and move into a new phase. It appears that this pattern is once again repeating itself.
So – wish this educational junkie good luck! I will be keeping my Vibrant Nation readers posted, and hope to inspire a few of you back to school – as well as providing some support for those of you who, like me, are embarking on an attempt to cudgel a post-WW2 braincell into adapting to 21st century high-tech-expedited education.
i use a combo of shea butter and aloe vera moisturizer. Works great. I use shea butter on my lips, around my eyes and nose (dry areas), My father swears by vasoline.
p.s. I dropped your name on Gina's post, Barb. ;)
Good luck to you…but it sounds as if your hard work and dedication have brought you to this place…not luck. So I wish you happiness and fulfillment!
Hi Vicky1956
thank you so much for your good wishes. The UK is catching the tail of the hurricane which ravaged the USA so it looks as though I will be travelling to university tomorrow through stormy weather. Story of my life!!!
Yes, as “Now or New” Traditionals, we fill a special space in classrooms. It’s great if you think about it, how much better it can be to learn in an environment that better replicates the community. Students of all ages and backgrounds learning together can make for a more informative learning environment. Much success in your real interactions and thesis pursuits.
All the best to you.
Thanks so much, kanmko. I went to the induction meeting yesterday and discovered that out of a class of about 20, the vast majority of students were in their 20s! I was the only representative of the 35 + age group! So I’m afraid that the age spread is distinctly weighted towards one decade……mmmmmm!