Congratulations! What a beautiful tribute. It reminds me of a line from Doctor Who ”Do you know, in all my years of travelling, I’ve never met an ordinary human being.”
Oh Sam. First of all please congratulate Jon for me and tell him he has done something for my heart this morning. I barely got out of (American) high school and attended exactly one semester of college. I have to say, there’s very little I enjoy more than watching someone like Jon prove them wrong.
For the record, after being told I was bad at math my entire life I am not. I can calculate odds effortlessly with some mysterious inner calculator.
Anyway!
I also just love this piece. It is a gorgeous love letter devoid of sentimentality. A true and beautiful piece of writing.
You’ve both made me very happy at 4:00 am. I needed a good start today. Thank you.
Love this so much and so needed to hear this right now as I begin again at 43 with 3 kids. I'll be studying for my primary PGCE in September and it's something I've wanted to do for over 10 years or more.
Congratulations and well done to Jon. It's truly an inspiration in itself and so is your article. Thanks for writing it and I'm so happy to have read it!
I love this- I got my PhD from Saint Andrews, I went there when I was 25 and was told that made me a mature student, because most British PhD students were 22 or 23 max.
Growing up in Slovenia/Yugoslavia most people didn't start their PhDs before they were 40, so this ageism was very weird for me.
Congratulations to Jon! I think it is brilliant he chose St Andrews, especially as it is a place that does still somewhat promote elitism that is so flawed and such a waste of time.
Maybe it’s the early hour of day when I read this—probably not; it’s heartening/heartbreaking—but this made me weep. Bravo, Jon, for never saying never, and moreover, for getting a PhD in exactly the thing that reached out a hand through the scrim of time to the boy in the scratchy sweater, who had been sent away. Bravo bravo bravo. I can’t wait to read it. 🙏🏻
Congratulations to Jon! Beautiful tribute. As someone that grew up in the 70 and 80s with undiagnosed ADHD, I know some of the pain and I can appreciate this
Congratulations! What a beautiful tribute. It reminds me of a line from Doctor Who ”Do you know, in all my years of travelling, I’ve never met an ordinary human being.”
I love that
Huge congratulations to Jon! Amazing work. I start mine in October (aged 58) - excited and nervous in equal measure 😃
Ooh congratulations. It’s been fascinating to watch and now I’m definitely tempted.
Oh Sam. First of all please congratulate Jon for me and tell him he has done something for my heart this morning. I barely got out of (American) high school and attended exactly one semester of college. I have to say, there’s very little I enjoy more than watching someone like Jon prove them wrong.
For the record, after being told I was bad at math my entire life I am not. I can calculate odds effortlessly with some mysterious inner calculator.
Anyway!
I also just love this piece. It is a gorgeous love letter devoid of sentimentality. A true and beautiful piece of writing.
You’ve both made me very happy at 4:00 am. I needed a good start today. Thank you.
Xxx
Love this so much and so needed to hear this right now as I begin again at 43 with 3 kids. I'll be studying for my primary PGCE in September and it's something I've wanted to do for over 10 years or more.
Congratulations and well done to Jon. It's truly an inspiration in itself and so is your article. Thanks for writing it and I'm so happy to have read it!
Oh god luck. Crossing everything for you x
Typing through tears - what an amazing achievement and what a way to take back his narrative - inspirational stuff 🤩
Terrific, Sam. So chuffed for JCG - and looking forward to calling him Dr Jon from now on!
I love this- I got my PhD from Saint Andrews, I went there when I was 25 and was told that made me a mature student, because most British PhD students were 22 or 23 max.
Growing up in Slovenia/Yugoslavia most people didn't start their PhDs before they were 40, so this ageism was very weird for me.
Congratulations to Jon! I think it is brilliant he chose St Andrews, especially as it is a place that does still somewhat promote elitism that is so flawed and such a waste of time.
And now I am really keen on reading Jon's memoir.
“Your dreams are just that and not for the likes of you.” 💔 huge congrats to you both
Maybe it’s the early hour of day when I read this—probably not; it’s heartening/heartbreaking—but this made me weep. Bravo, Jon, for never saying never, and moreover, for getting a PhD in exactly the thing that reached out a hand through the scrim of time to the boy in the scratchy sweater, who had been sent away. Bravo bravo bravo. I can’t wait to read it. 🙏🏻
Lovely. Thank you.
I love this. Congrats to Jon along with a “hell yes, you did!”
Congratulations to Jon! Beautiful tribute. As someone that grew up in the 70 and 80s with undiagnosed ADHD, I know some of the pain and I can appreciate this
Congratulations to Jon!!! I finished mine at 44, so basically a baby. 😀 It felt very anticlimactic. I hope Jon feels proud and accomplished!!!
You and JCG are a rare success story Sam x
Very lucky (fluke) I know
Not a fluke. Surely compatibility
Congratulations to Jon for his creativity and courage! Congratulations to Sam for telling Jon's inspiring story of with love.
Congratulations, Jon! Love this piece, Sam x