In praise of your nearest and dearest

[Rhythm Thief]

I honestly think educaton is for the young.

ok i recognise her achievement's (at that age) are great. But let's be honest here she is not going to use it is she!

You don't have to "use" a degree. I don't use mine, and never have. Education is not (despite the best efforts of this government) merely a commodity to be bought and sold.

 

[tdr1nka]

An active mind can counter the effects of dementia in later life and having mature students on a course is known to bring benefits of life experience to younger students.
How many people leave Uni and then go into a completely different profession than the one they've studied? That could be seen as a waste of an education too?

I never went to University or Collage but reserve the right to return to education when and if I'm ready.
The sad truth is even if I were to go back into education now I wouldn't be qualified until I hit 47 years old, which is considered 'getting a bit too old' to find work with a diploma but no work experience.

This, of course shouldn't stop me wanting to expand my knowledge or what alternative do I really have, whist drives, go to Bingo twice a week, buy a wheeled shopping trolly and talk to the pictures of cats on tins of food in the supermarket?

Lets face it, active, defiant and inquisitive people will be learning until the day they drop and should be seen as good examples for all.
This goes for everyone who has been praised on this thread.

 

[badkitty]

You don't have to "use" a degree. I don't use mine, and never have. Education is not (despite the best efforts of this government) merely a commodity to be bought and sold.

What he said.....

 

[Crackle]

What he said.....

Lazy. Expand on what he said. You're spending too much time on that Chaise Longue.

 

[Night Train]

I honestly think educaton is for the young.

ok i recognise her achievement's (at that age) are great. But let's be honest here she is not going to use it is she!

There are plenty of young people who get degrees and don't use them. All that study, tuition and effort and the knowledge gained isn't used to do anything, never mind anything of use.

I have been studying all my life. Whenever I can afford the fees and the time I take a course. I am currently thesis writing for a MSc and studying a Cert Ed. After I have finished those I will probably find another course. My mother is 76 and still collects and studies medical books. She will never be a nurse or a doctor but she is keeping her brain active and knows more about anatomy and allergies then I ever will. It probably means that she will not 'lose her marbles' and become a burden to me and the NHS.

The advantage of maturity is that one has a reason for doing the study (even if only personal development sometimes), and that study is useful. At degree level and above research is carried out and papers written that can be used in the development of new ideas and technology. Doing a degree out of genuine interest and producing useful original research is a lot more useful then drinking in the student bar for three and a half years and then bluffing a second rate thesis just to up the chances of getting a job in an unrelated subject.

I applaud all those who never stop learning. 25% of my college students are well beyond retirement but they are learning to design and make fine furniture so that they can make things in their sheds at home or maintain their dexterity and intellect.

 

[jay clock]

my family make me very proud - they ALL think Moyles is a twat and don't listen to his show EVER

now that's something to be proud of!

 

[badkitty]

Lazy. Expand on what he said. You're spending too much time on that Chaise Longue.

Oh Crackle *languidly refills glass*, I would love to... but really am just too busy right now dahling.....

Pass the Sobranie cocktails over, would you dear?......

 

[Night Train]

My Mum rocks! 76 and still looks 50. She can walk miles with heavy shopping and up until a couple of years ago would scramble up the milestone buttress at Tryfan in Snowdonia every year.

 

[DJ]

I'm studying again at the moment (at the grand old age of 37, and entirely self-funded) and I have to say that I think it's worthwhile (obviously, else I wouldn't do it). It keeps the brain from atrophying, enables me to get experience in something new, is a chance to meet some new people and remind myself of how incredibly young everyone is at 19!

I think that if a pensioner studying stopped a 19 year old from getting a chance of further education then that would be a bad thing; however I'm sure that isn't the case, Essex Uni was glad to have me as a fee-paying student who is likely to be low maintenance, and perhaps to give a slightly wider life experience to the other students.

Well done, Arch's mum, for getting her degree. It was probably for her own personal enjoyment and satisfaction but I don't think there's anything wrong with that, and I think it's easier to appreciate education when you're older and have chosen it, rather than just ending up there by default.

I know, I wish that I had one, I am actualy very badly educated, and wish I had sorted it out by now! But don't worry I will.

 

[badkitty]

I know, I wish that I had one, I am actualy very badly educated, and wish I had sorted it out by now! But don't worry I will.

Thats more like it, Dj!
Now stop being such a spanner and winding folk up...this thread is most unlike you.

 

[Crackle]

I know, I wish that I had one, I am actualy very badly educated, and wish I had sorted it out by now! But don't worry I will.

Good man. It might take you to 73 to do it though

 

[Priscilla Parsley]

My Dad was a helicoper pilot who then became epileptic so couldn't fly again. So instead of falling apart, he learned to sail and has done the atlantic twice.

The thing that most impressed me most was when he whacked his thumb nail with a hammer, he drilled a tiny hole into the nail himself to relieve the pressure. Now THAT'S tough!

that is like soooo tough, i wish i was that hard. what a lovely thread in general though. interesting debate on higher ed but i'd like to hear more of peoples stories about their families - i hope they tell them how proud they are and not just on a forum!

I too am proud of my mum getting a 2:1 in social work, which she studied part time while already social working full time to a high standard round Manchester, on top of this instead of revelling in empty nest syndrome she had to cope with the fall out of mental illness in one of her sons, which she did to a high degree as she does everything in her life.

 

[Night Train]

I know, I wish that I had one, I am actualy very badly educated, and wish I had sorted it out by now! But don't worry I will.

Keep thinking like that and then do something about it. I did.

My oldest furniture student was 78 years old. Sadly he died shortly after he finished the course but he was happy and active right up to his last day.

 

[Piemaster]

You don't have to be so tough to do the drilling a hole in your nail thing. I've done it a couple of times and am a complete wimp, just remember to have a pillow handy when you do it.
The secret is you don't actually have to put the drill bit in a power tool - twizzling it in your fingers is quite sufficient. Use smallest drill you can find and stop when the blood starts to flow.
I generally stop at that point anyway which is where the pillow comes in. Stops head injuries from fainting.

Back OT, Mrs Pm is a trooper. I work away 6 months a year and she copes with everything when I'm not there and deals with the two kids. Thinking about it her life is probably harder when I am there as she then has 3 kids to deal with

 

[Aperitif]

I honestly think educaton is for the young.

ok i recognise her achievement's (at that age) are great. But let's be honest here she is not going to use it is she!

I bet she will.
Everyday.
It will give value and self-respect in abundance, along with a sense of achievement and maybe contentment.(Unless it gives 'Mummy Arch' a taste for a PhD or something like that! )
If anyone else benefits - well that's a bonus too.