Why do you study?

[Glutton4...]

Yes, why?

I like to learn, and I read loads, but I was glad to leave School all those ears ago. I love the internet as a tool, and, I actually think I'm addicted to it, in a strange way, but I'm curious as to why many of you spend hours of your day studying for Diplomas, Certificates and even Degrees. Is it to further your careers? Or, just to learn more about your chosen subject?

Having time on my hands at the moment, it is one of the things I've been considering, and so I thought I'd ask.

[BrokenOphelia]

Well I started studying for the dumbest of reasons. Partly it was because everyone else was applying in sixth form so I did too, I actually never dreamed of getting in because I thought I was stupid but in the end I got in on a scholarship as I took an exam. It was also partly because I am the youngest of five sibilings all of whom have been to university and I felt I had to or I would always be considdered less.

When I got to uni though I actually changed subjects because I started one of my forced elective modules and I enjoyed it so much I switched at the end of first year. I started with drama and ended up doing film and television. I truly find the subject fascinating. I love equally the academic side of analysing the films and also things like semiotics and audience reception studies as well as the practical side of things. I could have quit uni if I didnt enjoy it and many people did but I just really loved studying what I was studying, it incorporated a bit of many subjects in many ways.

I know my OH let me encourage him into his degree as he was on jobseekers at the time and he was fed up of being told everyweek by the advisors that he was stupid and worthless and couldn't do anything and he wanted to prove them wrong. They even went as far as saying if he got into uni he would fail after first year because he was so worthless so he studied because he had a point to prove but like me he fell in love with the subject too and now he wants to be a scriptwriter.

[Two_Sheds]

I used to go to evening classes because
- they were free or cheap
- I hate blobbing out in front of the TV
- to meet people
- to learn more (psychology, yoga)
- to get more certificates

Then I changed careers, so I took evening classes in typing and shorthand. Then I went to art college so I did a 2 year foundation course in the evenings, which led to a 3 year BA, full time (but no job!)

Then I changed career again, and took evening classes in being a Teaching Assistant, got a level 3 certificate. Wanted to do teacher training, but my health isn't up to it, so I'm happily TA-ing.

Every autumn I get the itch to do another class, but there aren't any locally, not even in the city (in art). I don't have the motivation to paint & draw by myself, I need the extra bit of oomph you get from being in a class. I spend my evenings sewing (self-taught): I still can't bring myself to watch the goggle box

[zazen999]

I'm on career change number 3 - I started studying seriously because I didn't want to end up doing what I started off doing [civil engineering] as it was hard work and the company/industry was full of complete [a word I'm not allowed to say but it rhymes with tankers].

And what do you know.....most of the 'tankers' that I was working with are still there; according to faceache.

I am taking a year off this year - from any evening study. For the first time in about 13 years.

[Paulottie]

Similar reasoning to Two Sheds...also in that I found my way back into studying through evening classes.

I broke my leg once and ended up going to design and make metalwork classes...candlesticks and jewellery and the like. A year or two later and I found myself unemployed while my friends were collecting degrees; so I put a portfolio together and hawked it round....ended up with a furniture degree. While initially I spent a lot of time clubbing and in the bar...I was taught to research subjects in a library(no internet back then!)...spent hours in the V&A library...its quite fascinating and addictive....the more you do it the more obsessed you become.

A few years later I started a MA with OU...Film/ pop culture ....did a couple of years, then they wanted another £800 ...just for the dissertation...First daughter on the way I brought a house and didn't have the money or time.

The Web is a joy and brings so much information to your fingertips...useful for us old time research junkies to keep our hands in.

They say the brain is a muscle... and research is just it going to the gym really. The process of learning is the important thing to me. It is a skill that you have to continue to use...bit like going for a jog.

Don't think I've ever shown a certificate to anyone! But then in my line of work you can either do it or you can't...portfolios are more important.

[OverWyreGrower]

I would do it because it's interesting and I love to learn!

I've been considering doing a part time MA (cos I still have to wokr full time). It wouldn't enhance my career (as I'm a Director's PA), I would just want to do it anyway. It's the cost that puts me off though!

Besides, as Mr OWG pointed out, it's not like I don't have enough to do anyway, with 30+ birds, 2 dogs and a veg patch as well as a full time job!

[SarzWix]

I'm studying for loads of reasons!
(getting a bit personal here, so feel free to skip on past...)

Firstly, because my big sis was a bit of a rebellious type, and my dad was mega-strict due to the crack-pot religion we were brought up in, after she went off to college he cracked down really hard on me to keep me 'in line'. I couldn't live with it, and left school, got a job, and left home & the church at the age of 16. He realised he'd been a git, and was a lot more lenient with my younger 2 sisters, who stayed on at school and then went to Uni.
So, out of the 4 of us, I was the only one who didn't get further/higher education, and I've resented it for the better part of my adult life. (Particularly as I'm the only one out of the 4 of us who is perpetually skint, very rarely get to take holidays, wear charity shop clothes etc. etc.)

Anyway, about 13 months ago, I had a 'road to Damascus' moment, and realised that instead of sitting around feeling inferior, I really ought to challenge myself to do something about it. Part of the reason for it was The Vine, because I have gained an immense amount of confidence from being here, and found out I can do research and pass on information etc.

To cut a long story short then (and yeah, that WAS the short version!), I decided to do my degree course a) to prove that I can, b) because I LOVE knowledge, c) because I LOVE the subjects I'm studying, d) because one day it might mean we can have a better lifestyle with less worry.

[vixfinn]

Similar to Sarzwix really, I left school at 13 and went somewhat off the rails. I haven't a single qualification yet my brother is now Head of English at a secondary school. I've struggled to bring my children up alone for the most part and I thought what sort of example would I be to them. I can hardly demand they do their homework and study hard when I have no experience of it. So basically to prove I can be academic to myself and my girls and to hopefully forge a carreer in a subject I love.

[bobleponge]

I'm on career change number 3 - I started studying seriously because I didn't want to end up doing what I started off doing [civil engineering] as it was hard work and the company/industry was full of complete [a word I'm not allowed to say but it rhymes with tankers].

And what do you know.....most of the 'tankers' that I was working with are still there; according to faceache.

I am taking a year off this year - from any evening study. For the first time in about 13 years.

Yup, those bankers Zazen, dont seem to be loved by anyone.

I started studying for a bet.
I left school with nothing but a cycling proficiency badge, and after my injudicious youthful activities no longer appeared on my sheet, I joined the army.

One night, in a pub (a shock to anyone that knows me) I was having a discussion with my boss, basic premise was that anyone could get a degree if they wanted it badly enough.
He disagreed, so a bet was struck that I would have a degree within 5 years.

5 years almost to the day, I had one, and phoned him to tell him so.
I'm still waiting for the hundred quid however!!

It hasnt helped my career one jot, it is of no real relevance to anything that I want to do in a future life, but I have it nonetheless, point proven.

[kirsty b]

Applied to uni in 6th form...wasn't really sure about it, but everyone else was so went for it after deferring a year to work first. It was a complete disaster, wrong place, wrong time so to my poor old dad's disappointment I dropped out, came home and went out to work for a living.
It was the wrong course and I was way too far from home.

Met OH, had pickle and for 4 years or so worked to pay bills, however 6 years ago things were pretty carp. Hated job, hated life and mum got fed up of me moaning to her on phone and suggested caring/nursing.
Looked into it, got a HCA job and have never looked back I have had so many opportunities to learn new skills, meet many interesting people and the job satisfaction is immense.

Love it so much, that today I finished my HCA job ready to start uni on the 27th to do my Nursing Diploma for the next 3 years

That was the short version!!

[jackie j]

I left school at 15, never took exams as the thought of doing so made me feel so sick, I didnt have the confidence that I would pass. I went to work in shops, tried office work and back to shops. The only thing I have ever passed is my driving test. I married at 19yrs and had my first son at 24 yrs after 4 boys I divorced and met my OH, daughter born a year later.
I have never wanted to take exams, I still dont have the brain capacity to take exams, I panic at the very thought. I forget things so easily.
I always wanted to be a stay at home mum, have always worked part time.
If you think you can then GO GIRL. ( that applies to anyone thinking of studying ) I think you are all brave for doing so especially if you go back to it after a long time.

[Bramble_killer]

I'm a very boring uber geek

school, uni, work (related to what I'm doing), then phd, followed by a job in research. Except now coming to the end of my 3 year contract and I'm contemplating a career change in something I would have never thought of before.

I love learning. I'm curious about the world and how things work, I enjoy looking at people and dissecting them etc etc. It's great!

[Seahorse]

I am very priviliged in that I not only got the support and encouragement to get an MA, plus a professional qualification on top... but also now have enough income to be a stay at home mum. So, for me, it's not at all about furthering a career or earning more cash but I still try and do at least one class a week, just for the love of finding out new things and being with like minded people.

[Hilary B]

I wouldn't really want to do 'real' studying (ie for a certificate of some sort), and I suspect anything I did do would suffer lack of enthusiasm fairly soon, but I do sometimes wish I could find affordable evening-classes near here. I did pottery ages ago when it was cheap (local thing, using the school's pottery room one evening a week, cost not much more than the clay we used), and art (painting) a couple of years later, but somehow, it's got pricey, and always at times I'd rather do something else......

[Glutton4...]

Thanks for all your contributions, you lovely Peeps.

Whether I'll get off my arris and do something remains to be seen, but I have enjoyed reading all your comments. Thank you again.