In order to choose your course you have almost certainly already asked yourself the first two:
- What are my interests and how do they match the study?
- What is the level of my present and potential ability in this?
Well, ask them again. You may be very lucky in finding a course that is a direct hit on your long-term interest, hobby or obsession. But, normally it is best to look a little beyond the subject matter that immediately appeals to you and to ask a slightly different question: what have I some grounding in, that would give a base, however general, to the knowledge I would need to assimilate?
In making this assessment, do not dismiss old studies and achievements. It will surprise you (pleasantly for once) how much information is recalled when revisited. Sometimes it is the older stuff that sticks. A question for the more mature reader: What books or films can you remember best? Those seen in your late teens and early twenties or those seen or read 15 years ago?
Again, subject to some practicalities mentioned below and within reason, be ambitious. You may be considering a BA or BSc in a new or related subject when you have obtained a degree some time ago. Do not rule out at least looking at the possibility of a Master’s degree.
In any case look at some practical considerations to help choose the course, the level of degree and whether it should be over a shorter or longer period. High on this list will be the questions of cost, travel and your own likely availability. You must think of how other obligations and activities will impact on this. Only you can make the moral or ethical decisions about how the course might affect, for example, relationships. But to make this balance you need to have a very clear idea about what your own level of commitment is and will be over the whole period of the course.
Then see if it matches the demands likely to be made. Check the timetables, to include actual lectures and tutorials and the submission dates for work. You will need to go back to the other side of the question already asked about how much background you already have. What special areas of skill or knowledge might you have to acquire during the course. These might be include languages, technical subjects, analysis and data presentation that are not immediately obvious, but are necessary peripheral or ancillary proficiencies to the main subject matter. It does not follow that you cannot take these on, even perhaps from scratch, but you should make allowances for them in your planning and decisions.
One post-script: if, for example, you will have to make some sacrifices in your social life, remember that there may well be opportunities in that area from taking up the course. Once chosen, this site will, we hope, still be able to provide assistance, along with moral and practical support.
