Betty Khin Mya Wynn, 71, says she will continue to study as long as she is in good health. Pic: Aye Zaw Myo

THE days of a student are usually youthful and exuberant but marred by essays, exams, early morning tutorials, all-nighters and panic attacks when deadlines arrive far too quickly.

Imagine, then, that you could go back in time to those days knowing what you know now. That drinking the night before an exam is not a good idea, that cramming will not help you learn anything and that turning up to lectures is a better way to glean information than promising to read a chapter of that book you lost last week.

For the increasing number of students in Myanmar who are over 60, all of this knowledge certainly comes in handy.

Over-60s can be stiff competition to the average student —not only do they have life experience, they also possess the deter-mination, skills and motivation that a young whipper-snapper fresh out of high school finds hard to muster while testing out their new-found independence.

One of these older students, Betty Khin Mya Wynn, 71, is studying for a diploma in Applied Psychology and expects to graduate next month.

“Years ago I read an article about older people in foreign countries who were studying and getting degrees, and I envied them,” said Betty. “Then I thought, ‘Why can’t I do that?’ So I did.”

Betty also has a diploma in business law and a diploma in international law.
“I’m a bit greedy when it comes to education now. I want to study a wide range of subjects, but I don’t have a lot of time. I read over my son’s class notes and books when I have free time. All of the courses have their uses.”

Betty is completely independent, funding all of her studies herself. “Sometimes I even have to support my family,” she said.

Reflecting on her first days as an older student five years ago, Betty said there was no resentment between her and her younger peers and that they helped each other with their assignments.

“Working so closely with younger people I have been able to study what they do and how they think. I take their fresh ideas and try to apply them my own way.”

Betty said that as long as she is in good health she will continue to study.
U Myint Soe, 61, who has three diplomas — in Law, Psychology and Archaeology — said one of the reasons he continues to study at his age is for relaxation, but he admits it can be physically draining.

He has been jumping from course to course since he left his part-time job as a tourist guide in 2000.

Right now U Myint Soe is halfway to earning his diploma of social work.
“It is strange that most of my teachers are much younger than me,” he said. “But young or old they are my teachers and I respect them. They in turn also treat me with respect.”

But even at his age, U Myint Soe is not exempt from criticism.
“Some people criticise me for being a student in my 60s but I don’t care about that. I think I try harder than most, although it is difficult due to memory loss that comes with old age.”

However, U Myint Soe said his biggest difficulty is relating to his classmates outside of the classroom.

“I understand the nature of youth. They love to go out and most have very happy-go-lucky attitudes, but I am past that. They are not the type of people I would prefer to be around socially,” he said, but added that he tries to create some sort of bond with each of them.

When asked if he will pursue further education after he receives his next diploma, U Myint Soe replied, “I will study until I lose my memory completely.”
It seems he could be a long way from complete memory loss if U Tin Oo’s theory is anything to go by.

The 60-year-old, who passed his Diploma of Oriental Studies exam last year with flying colours, said studying keeps his mind young.

“Compared to my days as a young student it is now harder to study and easier to forget lessons,” he said. “But by repeatedly writing down the definitions of everything it keeps my mind active."

U Tin Oo has always been a great advocate of education and his family encouraged him to start the course when he began researching higher education.

He also has diplomas in applied psychology and international relations.
The overachiever has managed to bridge the generation gap with his fellow students by befriending them.

“When I started the course I didn’t care much for what they wore or how they acted and I thought that I knew much more than them. But in fact they are well-informed and always ready to help others. They respect their elders. I see people young in a different light now.

“I have used this experience to relate to my own children.”
U Tin Oo said he thinks it is important to hold on to a thirst for knowledge at all stages of life.

“We can’t stop aging, but the knowledge and experiences we pick up along the way never grow old and will always be useful.”