How to Study Later in Life

When I was 60 years old I began a University qualification in psychology. Four years later, after doing one paper at a time, I graduated with an average of 86.5% and Tess and I had a wee road trip to Massey University for the award ceremony.

It was fun.

This was in great contrast with when I got my science degree and teaching diplomas back in 1982 when I was 21-22 years old. Although I was young, enthusiastic and did okay back then (just), the experience of studying later in life was deeply rewarding and fulfilling.

For one thing, I chose to study psychology in depth because I had always had a fascination with the human mind and behaviour. In fact, that really was what I was observing and coaching on for over 25 years in the corporate world.

Choosing what you want to pursue for no other reason than it’s what you want to pursue is a true sign of purpose and being intentional.

Neither of those things was true of my earlier days. Not the uni study, anyway.

Also, studying later in life was entirely different because I had 60 years of personal, lived experience. That helped me (a) place what I was researching and learning about into a real context, making it more alive, and (b) immediately come up with lots of real examples from years of people, places and experiences I’d had, and (c) find ways of studying, planning and writing assignments that suited me and my daily and weekly rhythms.

When I first went to uni, how I approached lectures, studying and assignments was entirely different-more hours, less focused, more rote learning, feeling anxious etc. This time around, I felt in control. Mind you, these days the methods used for lecture delivery, the types of assignments, and the clarity of marking expectations really helped.

At times during my Graduate Diploma in Psychology there would be online tutorial groups of fellow students. It felt weird but vaguely satisfying being old enough to be some students’ grandfather! But I also noticed many people in their 40s returning to uni to study to either further their qualifications or begin subjects they were interested in to see if they enjoyed them.

One thing I did not see? Anyone my age or older.

There are probably a few reasons older people don’t go to uni to study.

One, maybe they feel they’re past it. That the rigours of university lectures, study and assignments would be too much for them. While I’m not an academic I do read a lot and studying suits me. So, I’m very aware that uni study isn’t for everyone. But past it? No. Reluctant, yes. But not past it. When you decide to study, you can begin slowly and there are lots of resources online to help you get up and running.

Two, maybe older people feel they don’t have the time. But there are ways to make room in your weekly schedule if you really want to. For a start, your home life after 60 is likely to be simpler and quieter. Plus, you can call the shots on how you use your time, and on what. My wife fully supported my decision to go back to uni and we made adjustments to our home life accordingly.

Three, many older people might think they wouldn’t do very well. Let me tell you a secret. In 1979 as part of my science degree, I took a paper called Maths 206. I struggled because I didn’t like the subject nor did I have the interest or skills to approach it very well. I got a D. That’s a fail right there.

The next year, I took the same paper again. I got a D again. That’s another fail. Okay, so maths wasn’t my thing.

But with the tremendous benefit of lived experience, cultivating interests along the way, and knowing myself much better than I did back then, studying psychology In my 60s was entirely different. I got A-, A or A+ on every one of the eight papers involved. And one of them was actually the next level up, a postgraduate paper in Psychology and Culture. So even though I didn’t do particularly well when I was younger, as a mature adult in my second half, I did great.

And, if you’re at all interested in studying, whether it’s at university, teachers’ college, a polytechnic or anywhere else, so can you.

In the end, success will come from:

• Choosing something you’re interested in and enjoy (purpose)

• Doing some preparation on how best to approach it (preparation)

• Being slower, more consistent and methodical (process)

• Having some self-belief (motivation).

So, if you were to study, what might you look at?

And why? What would your next steps be?