partner/wife status eea citizen

Hello,
Hope someone will be able to clarify few issues for me.
My partner and I are both EEA citizens. We applied both for PR, which was granted only to my partner. My application was refused as not being married to my partner I only classify as an extended family member and I was issued a RC instead and advised that being his dependent I can apply for PR in 5 years time.
I cannot apply as qualified person myself as I do not have full 5 years of continuous work,and after having a child I studied part time at university and I didn't have a CSI.
The question is: would getting married and changing my status to close family member and reapplying for PR makes sense? Or my application is deemed to be refused again, as we will not be married for 5 years?
We are both 10+ years together (and in UK), have a child and a mortgage together.
As brexit looming we are thinking that my partner should apply for citizenship but as soon he will become British, he won't be able to support my PR rights.

Anything? Anyone?

Whether you are issued with a Residence Card or you get married, your status as the family member of an EEA citizen is only prospective, not retrospective.

If your own PR clock stopped and started because of studies, you will only be able to acquire PR in five years. And that is assuming that your partner does not acquire British citizenship.