Am I too old to become a Postgrad?
What do you think?
I graduated in 1982. Half a lifetime ago. And now I have time on my hands, I’m thinking of throwing myself back into the fray - after all, what’s forty-two years between friends?!
What? Why? Where? and When? These are the questions that might be occurring to you as they have to me - and the first two of these are the troublesome ones…
Where and when?
Let’s start with the easy ones. The ‘where’ is Lincoln University in the UK. We live sixteen miles away and I can get there in 15 minutes on the train or 25 minutes in the car. Easy-peasy. I hold an Associate Readers card for their library remember. And ‘when’ is really as soon as possible; probably in the autumn of this year. Certainly before I start losing my marbles…
What?
For a few years I’ve been hankering after another degree. Not sure entirely why, but I think I’ve still got one in me - though I think that second marathon has is long gone..! I’ve toyed with a new subject - like Art History via the Open University - but know I’m really only passionate about one thing: creative writing. And being so close to Lincoln, the lure of regular human interaction is appealing.
That being the case, then the options are essentially a Masters or a Ph.D.
I had a meeting today with two postgraduate supervisors from the Creative Writing programme and they laid out the process for starting on a Ph.D. (or the first stage of it at least, the M.Litt.). It was, by degrees, both exciting and terrifying - the fear being driven by the realisation of how much research would be needed, and how credible and original that research had to be.
The creative writing part is the easy bit!
I haven’t been ‘academic’ since the early 80s and, even in the brief chat today, felt out of my depth. Yet if that’s merely an issue of familiarisation rather than capability (which I hope it is!), then easing myself in with a Masters (part-time over two years) might prove an option. Indeed, an MA might prove enough. Itch scratched. A mix of ‘taught’ and creative could be the exact thing I need, even if my experience (all those books and words!) renders some of the topics less relevant. Hmmm…
And Why?
Because I can? Partly. But there are other reasons.
Lots of people parade their Create Writing qualifications (BAs mainly) like a badge of honour, as if it gains them entrance to an exclusive club. [It doesn’t.] So I wouldn’t be doing it for kudos in that sense; but there is an element of validation in the prospect, to prove to myself - via external ‘judgement’ - that my writing’s not too shabby.
So self-esteem then.
And also the desire to carry on learning. The prospect of mixing with like-minded people who are still striving for something in their work. I’m not ready to ‘settle’ for what I’ve done; I’m not giving in just yet.
And I’d be doing it to try and make the most of my time, that most precious commodity of all.
A ‘badge’; self-esteem; being busy; learning; doing something new. Is that enough?
What do you think?
I’ll probably decide over the next two or three weeks - but what do you think?
Binary choice. [You may need to subscribe to vote…. Either way, please do.]
I really appreciate it if you have chosen to vote; thank you! And doubly thank you if you’ve shared the post so that I can garner an even wider view…
Ian, Yes, the motivation to do a postgrad degree needs sorting out. From your post your urge to do this sounds a little vague and needs some further work, I think. A badge of self-esteem? The letters after your name will matter to you for about a week and just occasionally when you want to comfort yourself. Meeting others, yes, but there are plenty of other ways to do that. And the cost in money is substantial and in time, huge. Above all, a postgrad course/project will take you away from your writing and require a lot of jumping through hoops, not of your own making and not all congenial. As someone with three degrees to my name, one of which I completed in my fifties I don't find it in me to recommend you do this. If your motivation is 'hot', a burning desire to do a specific project then the idea my have some legs. You will need that urge to sustain you in the rigours ahead if you decide to enroll. Have you thought about how such an undertaking will impact on your existing and future plans? Having 'free time' on 'retirement', there's always the temptation, even fear, to want to fill up that time. In one of your posts you mentioned 'freedom' as one the pleasures of a writing life. Another degree will certainly erode that freedom, not necessarily enhance it. Give yourself time to identify how you are feeling about this. What else might you want to do?
How exciting Ian! Yeah! Do it.