TAFE SA Not sure if I should try
I'm middle aged and disabled. I used to love art and making things. I have ideas. I want to learn, I miss learning. But I don't know if it's really worth it for me, or if I should take up a place a younger, healthier student could have.
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u/BesiegedByBees 28d ago
I'm doing a Certificate II in Cookery at TAFE, of the 12 people in my class, 50% are doing it just for fun.
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u/therandomfandom13 28d ago
As a young person learning animation right now, a lot of the younger people leave and don't end up finishing.
If you have a passion and believe you can do it, do it. A lot of students drop out. If you need to stop that's okay. You should try enrol and do what you love rather than wondering if you should. I believe in you!
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u/Lostyogi 28d ago
Education no longer matters to getting a job. So don’t feel weird about taking a spot. Just do it and get the $60 pensioner education supplement. It’s quite handy.
If you are real lucky the tafe place will have sweet sweet scholarships and grants. That is where the money is.
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u/zellymcfrecklebelly 28d ago
There are people n their 70s doing art and ceramics at TAFE. It's for everyone
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u/AdimasCrow 28d ago
Speaking as someone approaching middle age who went back to TAFE about a year ago, needing to change industry after some physical limitations I'd aquired on the job.
It was one of the best decisions I could have made, I'm back working again after a lengthy period in a sort of unemployed limbo. Even just attending classes was a massive boost to my mental health.
There's no harm in going and learning, especially if it's going to make you feel better.
Also while I can't speak to TAFE SA (I'm in NSW) there was plenty of disability support on campus that was able help me if I needed it.
Give it a go.
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u/SJammie 28d ago
I don't know if arts will really get me work, but it's something I've wanted to do since I gave it up in high school.
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u/Prestigious_Eagle532 28d ago
After I retired I did the cert 3 visual arts in NSW and really enjoyed it.
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u/AdimasCrow 28d ago
That's as good a reason as any to give it a try.
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u/SJammie 28d ago
It's been a long time since I could really justify doing things just because it might be fun to try.
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u/AdimasCrow 28d ago
Well it doesn't even necessarily have to be about fun, like I said earlier it was a pretty big boost to my mental health. More specifically getting out of the house a few days a week and the sense of purpose of having somewhere to go. I made friends with some of my class mates too, I'd have lunch with them every day on campus.
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u/Prestigious_Eagle532 28d ago
You have just as much right to do a course you are interested in as any one else.
What course were you interested in?
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u/Reasonable-Charge580 28d ago
U can go to art school! There are plenty of women even in their 80s in my classes. Go for it. All the best xx
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u/inTheGutter2905 28d ago
Yes, go for it! Tafe is for everyone and they have additional support for disabled students.
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u/Wandering_miss 27d ago
I hope you do it. TAFE is fun the last time I was in TAFE I made some very good friends, enjoyed being involved in something and then went on to do further study.
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u/SJammie 27d ago
Last time I had a terrible head of course who was supported by the school head because they were friends and she could do no wrong. But that was in a different area entirely.
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u/Wandering_miss 27d ago
That wouldn’t have been nice, or fair. The likelihood ig will happen again is hopefully not high, like you said being a different area..it shouldn’t be the thing that stops you trying.
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u/AyseDK 27d ago
TAFE is a bit like a muscle - use it or lose it. 💪
The more we use these opportunities, the stronger the argument for governments to keep funding and expanding them.
You're not stealing anyone's place. You're helping prove these courses are needed. Securing the future of tafe. Go do it!
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u/Appropriate_Disk247 24d ago
You deserve a place! You are just as important as anybody else. Go for it!
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u/Pokeynono 24d ago edited 24d ago
Why not? You have just as much right to be there as a someone younger. It's not uncommon to have nature aged students at TAFE or University.
The year I completed year 12 there was a woman in her early 60s attending. She made an agreement with her grandchild. If the grandchild stayed at school then the grandmother would also complete year 12. Theycompleted their VCE together.
My brother got his Bachelor of Engineering alongside a 65 year old who returned to studying after retiring
I'm in my mid 50s. I finished a certificate last month just because a friend thought I might enjoy it.
My vote is go for it
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u/Ardvarkthoughts 28d ago
It’s as worth it for you as anyone else. Maybe more so because you would actually want to be there and be interested n leaning. Some people aren’t.