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[Hurdity]

I think it's amazing that you are contemplating this now Dulciana, especially as from what you say you are going through menopause, with unpleasant symptoms?!

I know what you mean about exams though - it is always worrying doing them at any age but especially when we are older. When I was in my late forties I did an Open University Music Diploma and that involved one ( maybe two?) exams (as well as ongoing assignments) and that was very strange to be sitting in an exam room with other silent people having to think and remember. The exam was a combination of technical stuff ( can't remember much of it now  ) and essays and I was very worried - but remember everyone else is probably feeling the same too!

I don't know how you revise or what the exam involves but if it's essays or remembering stuff,  I write notes of notes and condense it all down and then try to find something that will help me remember the main points/features of whatever it is. If it is technical then heaps of practice is the main thing. I don't expect I'm telling you anything you don't already know, but if you're well prepared and have done lots of practice/revision - then you are in the best place to do well 

Hurdity x

[Dulciana]

Well, it was my organ teacher who suggested I go for it, Hurdity.  And if he thinks I'm up to it, then why not?  I sometimes think I'm mad to be even thinking about it, but you only live once!  Why can't meno-woman be upsides all these (mainly) male-20-30-something organists??   And if I got this qualification (the UK gold standard for organists), I would be walking as high as the Eiffel Tower!      It'll take about 2 or 3 years, if I'm successful with this written part in January and then the playing exam about a year and a half after that.

Ju Ju - thanks for suggesting making a timetable - I've done one and it should really help my meno-cluttered brain; and Hurdity, thanks for your study suggestions, which I'm going to take on board.   
 

I have to say I don't feel quite so overwhelmed now!
D.
x

[Ju Ju]

Motivation is the key. My son is a good example. He's severely dyslexic and gave up at school. At 19, we had to have him assessed in order for him to join the retained firefighters ( having achieved a distinction on a Popular Music BTEC course ). I was told he scored at the 3rd centile level relating to spelling, while scoring at the 88th centile in other areas. Yet 11 years later he has a paramedic degree, which involved learning to spell complicated medical and medication spellings. He has had to overcome short term memory difficulties and some health issues. He had to work much, much harder than other people and we hardly saw or spoke to him, except when he took a breather. He even failed an important exam by 0.1% and had to defer for a year. If he can do it, you can as long as you really want it and won't let the difficulties put you off. The most successful people fail on the way. My son is walking on top of the world, as you will too. Obviously, you need the support of those around you as my son did. How do they feel?

[Dulciana]

Goodness, that's impressive, Ju Ju.  It just shows what can be done.   Thanks so much for telling me about your son's success and I wish him all the best.  Support of those around me - well, my twin sister (who's doing a piano diploma, later this year - she's a really good pianist and could have done one decades ago!), my Dad, my brother and my friend in Malaysia (who's preparing for a doctorate) all definitely support me.  Hubby and daughter are the wary types and are consequently wary about me doing this (the stress factor  )  They're not actually against the idea, though, and in fact they make me all the more determined.   But the person who really drives my determination is my organ teacher who suggested I do this on the strength of hearing my recital last September.   He doesn't know I'm menopausal and so has no preconceptions about how symptoms might get in the way!    Onwards and upwards and I hope people here don't mind if I sound off about it from time to time!  Thanks!   

[Limpy]

Hubby and daughter are the wary types and are consequently wary about me doing this (the stress factor  )  They're not actually against the idea, though, and in fact they make me all the more determined.   

But the person who really drives my determination is my organ teacher who suggested I do this on the strength of hearing my recital last September. 

Ok - your OH and daughter aren't actually against the idea, that's nice of them, they aren't exactly encouraging though are they?

Dulciana - Your organ teacher thinks you should do it - he knows about playing the organ, trust him,
he's heard you play!

[CLKD]

From me it would be an immediate 'no' ……….. 

"I have confidence in sunshine ……. " 

[Dulciana]

"I have confidence in sunshine ……. " 

Absolutely! 
D.

[CLKD]

FabULus 

[Dulciana]

Ok - your OH and daughter aren't actually against the idea, that's nice of them, they aren't exactly encouraging though are they?

No, Limpy, but I know they want what's best for poor little meno-me.  As I say, they are just both very wary, as people.   I've lived with this for years and have learned how to handle it.    As soon as I do achieve something, they're always really pleased and then say they always knew I could do it!  I did get quite stressed over the exam I did a year ago, because I knew it would give me professional status and so I couldn't contemplate failing.    (The night before the playing part of that previous exam, I was so nervous that I only managed four hours' sleep, and I went through the motions of the exam the next day, half asleep!)  This one would be the icing on the cake, and while it would be brilliant to have, it's not going to keep me awake at night - and this is what I remind Hubby and daughter of, whenever they get all wary again!   

[CLKD]

Remember that little ant who pushed over the dam and the little train 'who could'!

[Ju Ju]

Maybe your DH and daughter find your stress difficult to deal with and want to protect you and themselves. I had those feelings about my son, but didn't voice them. Your family want what's best for you, but don't know WHAT is best for you. You do, so you will have to be lovingly firm. Think of what you have already achieved. How does that make you feel? If it was that easy, it wouldn't mean so much, plus this sounds like girl power! Do it for us meno ladies!

[Dulciana]

A resounding "yes!" , Ju Ju!  (i.e. I will try my best!!    )

 

[CLKD]

Sit them down and explain that you don't want any negativity from them you have enough of your own ………. when I'm anxious DH keeps making eating suggestions 

[Dulciana]

If I do that, CLKD, they will just get me feeling all overwhelmed all over again.  What works best with them is to carry on regardless, as the song goes.