This is something I have thought of over and over. The idea of going back to university is appealing.

Have you thought of returning to post secondary? What would you desire to take?

I would seek out a degree in women's studies and the philosophy of religion

[Sunflower123]

I went to school for a long time to get my CPA and MBA. I realized I really wanted a degree and masters in social work so I could help others. I called my university to research it and they laughed at me. Smh.

something to do with history

only subject I really showed any interest in

I would change my major to cultural anthropology or sociology.

[Dan208]

Probably some kind of lab work, mostly along the lines of forensics. I've always been interested in crime scene analysis and things of that nature.

English degree of some sort. No definite goal in mind. Time would define the outcome I suppose. Or art education...I'd give that some consideration. Teaching seems a stable career.

I'm a little too old for it now but being asked 'what if'...well, that's the answer.

[Eclecticist]

I'm thinking of going to a community college to learn a computer programming language. Seems to be the way of the future.

[LiteraryLark]

Technically, I AM going back to school...I am in the process of enrolling to Beauty College after never getting much achieved in traditional college.

[Yoda]

I would like to pursue my doctorate in nurse anesthesia but the tuition for the three year program is $90,000. Even with grants and loans I can't come up with that much money.

[Entity06]

I wish I could study either history or acting/something theatre related. Those were always the hobbies I wanted to pursue but social anxiety makes me a zero at acting and everyone told me it's pointless to study history, which from an economic point of view and as someone from the country I'm from...it would have been extra frustrating(I actually know a couple of people who finished history and...they didn't manage to work in the field).

I'm enjoying everyone's answers. The education I regret not taking was fine arts. My parents wouldn't allow me. Given even a small amount of money I would love to take some art and pottery classes.

[divine1966]

I have masters degree in my field and have no desire to go to school anymore. At least not full time. I take college classes for renewal of my license every few years but it's not for a degree. I also periodically take art classes just to keep my art skills up to date and if I would go to school it would be for art degree.

I am 50 this year and did medicine then changed to biochemistry, got a doctorate and worked in a lab for many years, until going into healthcare management, which I still do now, but as an independent.

If I had my time again, I'd have done different A levels (biology, geography and history), gone to a more local university and done a law degree, then gone into banking. I wouldn't have moved around so much and planned more carefully.

And instead of sports as hobbies, I'd have done more crafty things, like pottery and cookery.

[Unrigged64072835]

I'm planning to go back to college for an AA in Creative Writing. If I succeed with that then I might go for my BA in the same thing.

What would I do with it? I'm over 50 now so it isn't going to get me a job. Just get better at something I enjoy doing. Plus see if I can handle large groups of people.

[Nammu]

I would love to go back to school but wouldn't want to be held to one degree. I'd love to take a variety of courses, anthropology, art and philosophy. I took a lot of literature classes that I loved so more of those too particularly ancient literature like the Eptic of Gilamesh.

I might go to a training program for office tech so I can get a job, seriously.

I think about going back to school all the time. I would study science and math, counseling, psychology, art.

[BlueEyedMama]

If I could do my college years over again I would study nursing and eventually become a NP.

[Fresia]

I went for something practical with job security and benefits in medicine, laboratory science. However, my passion that if could have a do over to go back to school would be marine life science and oceanography. I like what I do ok for the most part but underestimated the importance of loving what you do when I picked the first time out.

I think that is a common thread here - the wish that we had chosen something we would have loved to do. I note in some of the responses a bit of regret.

What prevented me from choosing that route to begin with? At 17 when I left home for university, my education just wasn't something for my choosing. Frankly I resented being thrust into academia. None of my education has figured into my life at all - especially not my work history. I am 50 years old and have yet to use the Quadratic Equation or Trigonometry. I have yet to draw out and map a molecule or count how many electrons revolve around an atom. Yet to differentiate an equation to determine the rate of flow of water out of a cone into a cylinder. Yet to calculate the acceleration of an object thrown in the air on a windy day.....

Wow, the similarities I see in myself w. you Justafriend. When I got my BA right after high school, if felt pushed and pressured by parents. Mom, in particular. I didn't want to be there for the most part. Now, I am glad to say I have the degree, but it was rough at the time.

[The_little_didgee]

No one pressured me into a career path. When I was younger I was interested in medicine, so I decided to go into biology. I found it boring and ended up leaving after second year. Shortly after that I started working as an apprentice clockmaker. This introduced me to machining and mechanical engineering. I discovered that this work fits my strengths and personality, and it is fun. I've decided to return to school to study manufacturing engineering. I'm 39 and will be a full-time student in the fall.

Originally Posted by justafriend306

None of my education has figured into my life at all - especially not my work history. I am 50 years old and have yet to use the Quadratic Equation or Trigonometry.

Math like that is used in engineering and some of the skilled trades. The only time I have ever used trigonometry outside of the classroom was in the machine shop and in designing parts and tools.

[Baker#88]

I have a BA in Auto Mechanics and an AD, whatever it is, Associate degree in business. The Auto Mechanics degree served me until I was forced into retirement at age 47. I may not have been working on the autos but always made parts and fixed my own machinery. This, I don`t think would have been possible without my degree. I wouldn`t even let the maintenance men touch my machines!!

[eskielover]

Got my BS degree in Accounting Information Systems / Computer Science way back in 1978. I got an AA in Music in 1973.

I was the one that pushed myself as I could NEVER see myself as a housewife like my mom. Actually my dad discouraged my going to college. I was DETERMINED to have a professional career & totally enjoyed my computer design engineering career for 15 years & enjoyed playing in chamber groups on the side for fun.

Actually my not being good at calculus limited my career in the long run as I didnt feel knowledgable enough to program bolistics programs. Having had an aerospace computer engineering career for so ling limited my ability to go back into the business world of programming even though capable....sort of frustrating end of a career.

Would love to go back & get a MA in Theology. I have a specific focus Im interested in....at 64 it would be a useless degree except just for my own self at this point in my life. Who knows what the future holds.

[Sensor]

I miss my university sometimes but never the school... My school years were unhappy because it's was really boring to study there, many stupid rules like wearing the school uniform which I hated and besides I had almost no friends there So no, I would never repeat my school years again

[Rizzar]

Perhaps auditing classes dealing with all facets of communicating would serve a good purpose for me.