School

 Back in college today 
My last year of three.
There are 18 in my group. And no fallouts, which is unheard of.
All students have made it through academia too, and all are in placements practicing as counsellors around North Wales with support.
If you said that I’d be on a University Course at 62 a few years ago I’d tell you that you were an arsehole !
But I’m still here, plugging away at university jargon, software and protocols with the best of them .

 

74 comments:

  1. It's funny both you and Rachel in Norfolk embarked on Uni again recently. Good luck with your final year (have to agree with Mrs Trellis that Bun is a strange name)

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    1. Hers is much more academic than mine

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  2. Joanne7:09 am

    Well done, you’re an inspiration.

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    1. I’ve needed to have something to;challenge me . And something to stroke my ( at times) fragile self worth
      Needs most people possess joanne

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  3. You are showing to others that this is possible.as well as taking a positive step for yourself.

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    1. Yes my friend . The self reflection has been a fascinating journey and a painful one

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  4. Yorkshire Liz7:44 am

    In all the best possible ways, you know above all that Age Is Just A Number - and you are proving it in real life. Not only that, you are bringing all the richness of your life experience and channelling it down into a new career, a new look at life. And I have to say - because I am older than you - such willingness to embrace a new path and a new way of looking, is courage and inner energy, and wholly admirable. Go for it, John Gray, we are proud of you!

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    1. That’s incredibly kind and uplifting to read. Counselling , joining the choir, doing that zip wire, Madrid …I’m a work in progress , with lots of work to do. Lots

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  5. Are you back to partying all night and doing drugs, too?

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  6. SueJay8:17 am

    Final year! Hang in there, you’re doing really well!

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    1. I paid my fees today , the Welsh government subsidises part of the cost of study , and all of us have been awarded 500 £ this year grants to help with our supervision costs

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  7. As Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel sang...
    Don't give up
    You still have us
    Don't give up now
    We're proud of who you are
    Don't give up
    You know it's never been easy
    Don't give up
    'Cause I believe there's a place
    There's a place where we belong

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  8. That's quite an achievement for (add the hated words) for your age. I guess you were the oldest student?

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  9. Enjoy your third year! You are doing so well in your career makeover!

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    1. My husband always said I was a lazy academic

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    2. Barbara Anne12:12 am

      You were just waiting to head in the right direction after you found which way was the right direction!

      Hugs!

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  10. Hang on there! The end is in sight. I am proud of you. I don't think I'd have the fortitude to stick with it. We'll all be here to celebrate with you when you graduate. πŸŽ“πŸŽ‰ xx

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    1. Next week Tuesdays are going to be very full
      With my personal counselling at 4 pm and a return to choir at 6

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  11. I hope you have a wonderful career as a counsellor. You deserve it

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    1. Who knows if that’s where I’m going , I’m not sure yet , let’s see

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  12. Good on you, John!

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  13. I think you're very brave, John! I am 63, and not sure I could withstand the rigors of college life. I'd love to audit some college courses, to learn some new things, but to seek a degree, eh, I am not sure I have it in me. Well done, John! You will be the kind of counselor so many need, with your life experiences, your nursing experiences, dealing with death and dying - you're the whole package.

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    1. My goal is a cert and not degree.
      But I can top up

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  14. Anonymous11:13 am

    Way to go John, almost there, every journey starts with one step and you are well on your way. I think you have made a great choice of a new career.. nursing is a very hard job as you get on in age. Best wishes on this last year. You will make a great difference to so many clients. Gigi

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    1. I feel myself starting to distance myself from the more negative parts of nursing. Detaching

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    2. Anonymous12:23 pm

      The whole "detaching" thing is interesting; as I think back to a big life change of my own (retirement) I suddenly see that was going on for me too. Thanks for the insight!

      Ceci

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    3. The process of detaching is so interesting. I did a "slow walk" to retirement by going part-time, then quarter-time. I could feel each stage of detachment (some of which are quite subtle).

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  15. Go John Go! So nice to see that you have that confidence. So many people won't attempt something and never know the possibilities. I had a total.career change at age 50 in a group of mostly recent college grads and I excelled. I had never imagined myself in that position.

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    1. I still suffer from imposter syndrome. I shared that today

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    2. I do too, as do many. I wonder why.

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  16. Bravo! We knew you could do it.

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  17. Congrats, John. Great job!

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  18. You have worked hard, John. You are going to be a fabulous counselor.

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  19. Anonymous2:03 pm

    You are a natural for this type if work. I admire your ability to forge ahead. I was rather proud of myself for finally going to college in my thirties - now that seems so young! - Jackie

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  20. Anonymous2:03 pm

    Good luck for your final year.
    However you may find counselling a lonely occupation once you've finished your course and stop nursing.. No colleagues in close contact, it's a one to one occupation and you definitely can't date a client! As you already suffer from being lonely now could be the time to try to rectify that ready for the future.

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    1. I guess, every job has its downsides , nothing is simple and easy

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  21. Anonymous2:08 pm

    Well done you ! You should be very proud of yourself. Best wishes !

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  22. It's absolutely brilliant that you have done with this and are now in your final year. Julie Walters and Educating Rita spring to mind, only I think she was a bit younger and a real fish out of water. But I loved the part of it where she gradually got 'in' with all the youngsters and became a real version of herself, helping them with all her life experiences as they helped her with all the in-things she needed to know.

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    1. I’m full of such tales I’m sure some on the course are sick of them

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  23. A life of learning is a very good thing.

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    1. Next time it’s back to film studies

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  24. I'm so impressed Jonno! This next career will see you through to retirement and provide a much needed service to your communities. Good on you, and good for keeping up with the youngsters!

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    1. Let’s hope it will help, who knows

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  25. You are a remarkable man - so happy to know you from a distance.

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  26. Congratulations to you and all in your group!!!
    May this last year be interesting, challenging, and enjoyable!
    Be kind to yourself.

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    1. Mindfullness is big on this years sybyllus

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  27. Barbara Anne5:47 pm

    What a marvelous accomplishment for you and the other successful members of your class!!! Hope the year ahead is a joy for each of you.
    If you hadn't started this course, you'd still be 62, so aren't you glad you bravely changed the direction of your life? Applause!

    Hugs!

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    1. My knees are playing up . Another nail in the coffin

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  28. it's a brilliant achievement, good for you xx

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  29. Anonymous6:41 pm

    No guts, no glory! Way to go. I did the same at sixty and have never looked back.
    Katie

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  30. Jo in Auckland6:52 pm

    How quickly time flies; is it really the last year!! Having a brand new career, and your third life changing one to boot. I don't know where you get the stamina from to just keep going. I'm impressed; you are close to the finish line and you are going to be a fabulous counsellor. I'm all up for counselling and if I needed some right now you'd definitely be the person I would pick. Good luck for the last year!

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    1. Our group had some space to talk today and everything feels more attainable , less stressed than last September

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    2. Anonymous7:28 pm

      I. Know you are not searching for validation, your group is sharing that emotion. But to add skills and knowledge and experience to your stockpile can only be positive even if you decide not work in the field

      Lee

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    3. Yes it’s been a nice day Lee catching up

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  31. Your accomplishments at University are impressive. Working, running a household and community volunteer projects keep you very busy. Well done John.

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  32. Both you and Weaver have/are been good for me to keep on working/studying. Not just saying this is what I want/should been doing.

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  33. You have such courage and perseverance. And you're "still standing", even after the worst of times. Proud of you and happy for you too.

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  34. I think that what you are achieving is amazing. Xx

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  35. You are a better man than I am Gunga Din.

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  36. Why, you college boy!

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  37. You will do well .... no doubt about it

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes