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Original poster

First week at uni as an older student- Do I complain?

63 replies

killedtheplant · 26/02/2025 02:43

Hi All, I am overseas studying nursing and being in my 30's the class is a mixed bag of all ages, genders and backgrounds as expected. We are in week one and although naturally its going to be a lot to take in, I have been struggling the most with the teens who have just finished a 1 year pre-nursing course to gain them access to the university study from finishing school. The problems I am having are that some of us are not fresh off the back of a pre nursing course and are learning a lot of this stuff for the first time and im finding that during class a group of the pre nursing students are constantly shouting out the answers and theories to the tutor while she is explaining. This leads to the tutor to move on and almost expects that we all are up to scratch. A lot of us arent! I am by no means shaming the other students for their knowledge but I feel its bad show of the tutor to have such an 'ok you guys got this! well lets move on then' attitude when many of us are still not informed about the topic we just whizzed over. I know a few of you may suggest calling the tutor out next time and explaining that I haven't indeed 'got it' and would like to be informed. Do I send the tutor an email and explain my thoughts or do I just stick it out and hope that the tutorials become more in-depth?

OP posts:
ItShouldntHappenToMeYet · 26/02/2025 06:47

killedtheplant · 26/02/2025 02:43

Hi All, I am overseas studying nursing and being in my 30's the class is a mixed bag of all ages, genders and backgrounds as expected. We are in week one and although naturally its going to be a lot to take in, I have been struggling the most with the teens who have just finished a 1 year pre-nursing course to gain them access to the university study from finishing school. The problems I am having are that some of us are not fresh off the back of a pre nursing course and are learning a lot of this stuff for the first time and im finding that during class a group of the pre nursing students are constantly shouting out the answers and theories to the tutor while she is explaining. This leads to the tutor to move on and almost expects that we all are up to scratch. A lot of us arent! I am by no means shaming the other students for their knowledge but I feel its bad show of the tutor to have such an 'ok you guys got this! well lets move on then' attitude when many of us are still not informed about the topic we just whizzed over. I know a few of you may suggest calling the tutor out next time and explaining that I haven't indeed 'got it' and would like to be informed. Do I send the tutor an email and explain my thoughts or do I just stick it out and hope that the tutorials become more in-depth?

You have a tongue in your head. Use it.
You are going to have to learn to challenge people and situations in your nursing career. Some may be hard, will make you unpopular and make you wonder what the hell.
If you cannot challenge younger people or your peers at your age, you may need to reconsider this course.

Northerngirl821 · 26/02/2025 06:38

Another one who thinks you should speak to the tutor after a session and ask if they can slow the pace down a bit as not everyone is understanding. The tutor may be able to suggest some resources/reading to you as well to help you catch up.

Zanatdy · 26/02/2025 06:34

I agree in asking them for a word at the end and explain. Once he knows, i’m sure that he will go over it properly.

HelmholtzWatson · 26/02/2025 06:25

Lecturer here - just speak to the tutor at the end of one of the sessions to explain the issue. I'm sure they will understand, appreciate the feedback and be more mindful in the future.

FWIW don't email. It's impersonal and risks being overlooked (even as faculty, I can struggle to get a response from some colleagues during the semester...).

Rocknrollstar · 26/02/2025 06:25

The important thing to remember is that if you feel like that then so do other people in the class. You are there to learn and you need to either a) put your hand up and ask her to clarify and explain or b) speak to her after the class and tell her what you have told us.

EliflurtleAndTheInfiniteMadness · 26/02/2025 06:25

You don't need to complain, just let them know what's happening. If they don't work to manage the group better, reduce the interruptions and not rush through the material then I'd speak with the lecturer about the situation, see what they think and what they advise. Then complain if that doesn't work.

Ohshutupdavidyoutwat · 26/02/2025 06:13

Can you not just put your hand up and say actually please can you explain as I don't know that?

sashh · 26/02/2025 05:09

E mail or talk to the tutor. I've taught on nursing Access courses and I would want to know.

I also recomend a particular book for further reading, your tutor might be able to recommend something.

Good luck with the course.

Hyperfish808 · 26/02/2025 04:30

Tell the lecturer. It’s not a complaint. You just have to say. Wait til after class or e mail. Or you must have a course rep. Go via them!

KrisAkabusi · 26/02/2025 04:20

I feel its bad show of the tutor to have such an 'ok you guys got this! well lets move on then' attitude when many of us are still not informed about the topic we just whizzed over.

It's not a bad show of the tutor if she doesn't know there's a problem. Next time she wants to move on, just say "sorry can you go through that again." If you're not comfortable doing that, talk to her afterwards. In person should be easier than emails.

Fraaances · 26/02/2025 03:10

I’m 53 and have just started 1st year nursing also. I think you should email the lecturer and let him/her know that the you feel that those who have not completed the pre-nursing course have a distinct advantage and are taking over the class and their constant shouting out is distracting you from learning. If you get nowhere with this, then message again cc’ing the Head of Faculty.

Ilovelifeverymuch · 26/02/2025 03:09

You shouldn't definitely bring it up if not your studies will suffer.

You can email if you're not comfortable speaking to him/her in person but it may be easier and more effective to go speak to the lecturer after class. If that doesn't work you can email to have a record and then take it to the next level by escalating to the department but hopefully it shouldn't get to that stage.

Middlepiepush · 26/02/2025 02:47

You definitely need to speak to the tutor about this. Not to complain but just to explain that you are struggling to keep up. Good luck