I am an opsimath – yes, it’s a real thing!
I left school in 1978 with very poor A levels and got married almost immediately. Three children later I started work and progressed happily as a Facilities Manager. Just before a very significant birthday, I was given the opportunity to take early retirement from my senior role in facilities management and decided that a complete change of path was worth considering. So after working in facilities management for many years, in the banking industry and higher education, I decided to go to University with the aim of becoming a counsellor. I’m studying Psychology with Counselling here at Teesside University and the contrast to my ‘old’ life could hardly be greater!
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Was it scary? Oh my, yes! All those young people, with young brains and young energy levels – the thought of throwing myself into that mix was daunting. Would people be prepared to engage with the greying retiree frantically trying to keep up? Would I be able to manage with essays and exams and dreadful deadlines?
Well, yes, I have managed and succeeded! There are more mature students than I expected and everyone, regardless of age or experience, has been wonderfully helpful and supportive.
Is learning to learn challenging? Absolutely – but I have tried to treat the learning as I would a job, and have been fairly ruthless with myself about deadlines. Writing essays is not so far removed from producing management reports – although referencing is hard.
The staff at Teesside Uni have been supportive and patient – and encouraging throughout. I have been delighted with my first year and am looking forward to the second year. I’ve learned more than I could have hoped and enjoyed almost every aspect of the experience.
By Debby Roberts