Going back to university in your 40s: Why it’s never too late to learn (again)
I went back to university after 40. I enjoyed studying again, but the real learning took place beyond the textbooks.
For as long as I can remember, I've wondered about the many things that could have been. The different versions of life that might have unfolded due to different decisions and circumstances. An alternate reality I occasionally glimpse when it bubbles into consciousness (usually around midnight when I'm lying in bed with eyes wide open) is a version of myself involved in neuropsychology.
In my early 20s, I got an undergraduate degree in psychology and was toying with the idea of doing an honors year in neuropsychology. But, the allure of seeing the world and the desire to write creatively led me to journalism.
With a subsequent master's degree in journalism, plenty of writing about environmental issues and sustainable development, and a pivot into running a science communication business, I'm fortunate to have a career that keeps me learning. But, now and then, the thought arises: What about psychology?
I’m interested in how we make sense of the world, especially in these divisive times, so I decided to revisit psychology. In 2023, I enrolled for an honors degree in applied psychology at the University of South Africa (UNISA), a distance-learning institution. I completed it in 2024.
Returning to study mid-life and mid-career was an intriguing journey. I learned as much about myself as I did about the study material. Final exams are behind me, but the lessons remain. I hope that what I learned may inspire others who are considering studying again later in life to pick up the books and go for it.
Writing is faster and straight to the point
I remember taking too many hours with my essays as an undergrad. I'd love to go back and edit them now because I imagine they were sprawling. This time around, I researched quicker, wrote tighter, and generally got things done in less time. Writing felt easier.
More confident in work and self
In hindsight, I can see how my self-doubt as a young person led to procrastination. During my early studies, I often left essays until the last minute and worked red-eyed through the night to complete them. This time, with more confidence, I enjoyed researching and writing more.
Less pressure to succeed; more room for enjoyment
My second foray into psychology came from a place of curiosity. The aim was to learn more about a domain that interests me and potentially incorporate my newfound knowledge into my work as a communications specialist. Studying with an already established career takes the pressure off, creating space to learn for learning's sake.
Doors open to unexpected new interests
I went into this degree focused on cognitive neuropsychology and grudgingly selected other modules, like sport psychology, to make up my course requirements. (Those who know how hard it is to get me in front of a rugby game will understand why sport psychology seems particularly incongruent). Despite my reservations, I found a lot of value in sport psychology, particularly around self-talk and goal-setting, which have applications for personal and professional life. I even took a fancy to statistics (something I struggled with as an undergrad) and completed a quantitative research study in my final year.
Life experience makes theory relevant
Having ridden the highs and lows of the human endeavor for more than four decades now, much of the psychological literature I read felt closer to home. I found myself nodding in agreement when reading about the importance of clear communication in the workplace and recognized my inner critic when learning about how negative self-talk derails performance.
There is no place to end up. Rather, a continual sequence of arrivals and departures
As a young student, I had questions about who I would become, what I would contribute, and how I would make a living. It felt like there was someplace to arrive, a line to cross, after which I'd be something. And I wasn't sure about how to get there. But now I understand that we're continually arriving. And, as soon as we do, we move off again, pursuing new interests and relationships. The beauty of life is that it’s fluid.
Studying again in mid-life helped me answer a long-held question about my career path, rekindled my love for research, and made me seriously consider further postgraduate study. It made me realize that learning is a gift — one that feels like a privilege at this stage of life.
Brendon Bosworth is the founder & principal consultant at Human Element Communications. He provides science communication training to universities and international development organisations. He is a lifelong learner.
