Never too late to learn

Dr Margaret Fidler is an inspiration and proof that it is never too late to learn. Her interest in what different generations think about the environment led her to do a Ph.D. aged 78.

She makes some interesting findings in her article 'Moving with the times: Grandparents' attitudes to the environment'.

You can download her article from the top right corner of this screen.

Margaret says: "I am a great advocate of older people having access to universities - the years I spent there were among the most rewarding of my life.

Once I got into it‚ I did not find age itself to be a major handicap. There is a lot of satisfaction in studying in later life.

After retirement‚ you can study for a first degree‚ a second degree in a different subject or do post-graduate work. The best thing is you have no career limitations‚ and more time to study. I feel this must be the way forward - after all‚ the Government says it is committed to 'life-long learning'!

I applied to the University of Southampton to do research in a topic I had become fascinated with - the changes in our attitude to animals and the environment.

There are many assumptions about old age that are unfounded and I hope my study might help to dispel some of them."

Have your say

What do YOU think about the environment? Have your say on our discussion boards.

Find out more

If you've been inspired by Margaret's story and are interested in studying you could get in touch with these organisations:

You can link into the University of the Third Age (U3A) where groups around the UK encourage lifelong learning for those no longer in full time employment. They can be contacted on Tel: 020 8466 61239 .
There is also an organisation called NIACE - National Institute of Adult Continuing Education‚ which can be contacted on Tel: 0116 204 4200.