Graduates in their 60s say 'it's never too late'

9 hours ago

Ben ParkerSuffolk

Angi Mariani and Angela Moss celebrated their graduations at events on the Ipswich waterfront

University of Suffolk/Gregg Brown Photography and Paul Nixon Photography Angi Mariani on the left and Angela Moss on the right, both are wearing mortarboard hats. — Angi Mariani and Angela Moss celebrated their graduations at events on the Ipswich waterfront

Two new university graduates in their 60s have said it is never late to learn.

Angi Mariani, 60, and Angela Moss, 61, both graduated from the University of Suffolk this week.

Mariani, who studied Biomedical Science part-time over six years, said: "It shows it is never too late to learn – I think people should be thinking about learning throughout their life, whatever they have a passion for."

Moss, who lives near Saxmundham, graduated in Psychology and Sociology, said she had wanted to get back into education as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said she had suffered an illness during the pandemic that dented her confidence and, after returning to work on a hybrid basis, missed face-to-face interaction.

Studying had boosted her confidence, she said.

"I thought 'This is a path and I am going to go down and see where I end up.'

"You sometimes doubt yourself, have impostor syndrome, but I was always thinking all I want to do is get up there on the stage, be there in my gown at the finish line, and here I am."

Both graduates enjoyed studying face-to-face in Ipswich

Martin Giles/BBC The University of Suffolk building. It is a large sloped building covered in windows and blue and white panels. Two people are walking past with others entering one of the doors. A large question mark sculpture is laying down on the right of the image. A blue sky with white clouds is overhead. — Both graduates enjoyed studying face-to-face in Ipswich

Originally from Ipswich, Mariani now lives in Brighton and commuted to study in the town, staying with her 90-year-old mother.

"She would make me amazing breakfasts and packed lunches, so I had the space and time to be able to work and study," Mariani said.

She said people shouldn't feel limited to what they could do based on how old they were.

"Age can't be a barrier. People are going back into the workplace, having to work later in life, so if there is something you want to do to change your work or career path, it just doesn't stop at any age."