Just applied to university. Mature student!

[CustardCreamTeaDunker]

I’ve just applied to university, business management with a placement year. I became a mother straight after sixth form, so I haven’t got any work experience or education for the past 8 years! Although I do meet entry requirements, so who knows. It’s for this September, I suppose worst case I can look into courses at the local college for something fresher on my CV.

I’m so nervous. Even if I do get in, I could well be the only mature student. No real point of this post other than a ramble.

My DH started a course as a mature student a couple of years ago. He struggles a bit with being in a completely different life stage from his peers, but he's loving the course and doing very well. Good luck - and how great to be building up your skills again after a break

Ooh, good luck!
Excellent excuse to buy a lot of fancy stationary.

went to uni in my 50's - loved it - so glad I did it!

Brilliant! Well done you! Enjoy!

(I filched my pens from Barclays - been my blinking bank for years at least I got something for free)

Thank you everyone for the good wishes! I hope I get in, a degree and some experience/the placement will do my CV the world of good. Although very nervous - I can’t quite believe I’ve actually put my application in!

@Thelnebriati I’ve always loved pretty stationary, but it may be cheap and cheerful for awhile!
@nervousnelly8 glad to hear your husband is enjoying it. I suspect I’ll be at a very different stage to every other student too.
@mumwon glad to hear you had a good experience in your 50s! Were there many other mature students? With today’s interest rates, the pen value will be more than the interest!

I'm starting in September as a mature student, a pregnant mature student!

Good luck OP xx

Aw that is absolutely brilliant. I am sure you will get in and I’m sure you will not be the only mature student.

@octobersky19 What are you studying? Wishing you the best of luck with both course and baby, you’re braver than me!

there were a few in their 40's some in their 30's & several who were in their early 20's - it was an interesting group

Good luck @octobersky19. I too am starting uni in September as a pregnant mature student. Eek. Have you told your uni yet? I haven't yet as I haven't completely decided where to go!

Well don't to you too OP, it's a scary thing to go to Uni. From what I can gather from my interviews, they have had a lot of 18yo students defer due to the lack of social experience so us mature students may have an easier time getting in.

Well done CustardCream, sometimes the first step is the hardest one to take. Good luck. I'm doing similar-starting a PGCE in September, after a few years of deliberating/putting everyone else first. I'm a 30-something mum to two and so excited to be able to be doing something so big for myself.

I had a bit of a mid life crisis at 30 just after I was diagnosed with a progressive condition and realised I had no identity left but just mum, so decided to study business management (accountancy) with the O.U. Dc were 7, 5 and 1 yo twins at the time. So

I fucking hated the majority of it, but it was for ME and me alone so I did it. Final exams (at home) were last week but with it being the o.I over whatsapp/fb/forum you don't really realise who your course mates are, usually at day schools/exams is when you really see what a diverse age range there was.

Enjoy yourself!

I'm halfway through my Masters degree.

Really enjoying using my brain again, having a sense of achievement and making new friends.

You are going to love it!

@TheCanyon I'm just about to start a business management degree with the OU, what didn't you like?!

Mine is pt as I'm working so lasts 6 years.

@experimentnumber626 best of luck to you! Your post is very relatable, looking forward to do something for me! Both spiritually and in terms of my career. I’m very excited, but very nervous of being turned down!
@Itwasgoodwhileitlasted I’m glad you’re loving it, well done!

Good luck to all mature students starting this year! I did a nursing degree in my mid 20s, oldest person in our year was 48. Now at the age of 40 i'm now planning to return to FT education to train as an OT, have been working as an OT assistant for 8 years and know this is a better career path for me than nursing ever was. I applied late but been told that places may come up for this year as some students are deferring to 2021.

Congratulations it will be great. I started at our local uni last September doing a History degree and I’d say overall about 40% are mature students (I’m the eldest at 47). No school experience for thirty years but absolutely loving it and don’t regret it for one minute even now. Your extra years will prove to be a bonus as you really want to do it and will be more organised to arrange your workload. Have fun and enjoy it

I'm just finishing off my Masters degree, we've a pretty even spread of young people and older people doing it for work.

Good luck! There will be moments when you hate it but you'll be so proud when you finish. (I have a 4 year old and a baby)

Congratulations!!!

I was 30 when I went to university. I was youngest mature student out 5 mature students (total student count for the course was 90). 4 of mature students were 45 - 60 years old

I struggled in the first year as my essay and report writing skills were long forgotten, nevertheless I have persisted. I went to student support groups which helped me with writing (critical thinking) and computer skills I did not feel out of place even if it took me slightly longer to learn things. I spent a lot of time studying and rarely would go out with my friends. I also had part-time job.

2nd and 3rd years were much easier! And had 2 week internship which landed me a part time job while finishing university!

Originally I was rejected by one university (they insisted on foundation year before accepting my application) and other university sent me an unconditional offer after applying!

Good luck!

That’s great OP, good for you!
Really hope you get in.

I also became a mum straight after 6th form, mine are now teenagers!
Would love to go to uni but we can’t afford for me not to be working full time now

Brilliant op! Good luck. I’m also starting this year as a mature student (39!). I’m doing English and creative writing.

I’m also a little worried I’ll be the only mature student, but I’m trying to be positive.

Wow, you're all inspiring me!
I finished education at 18 and did a few different admin jobs, then had kids and ran the family business. Last year we sold up and now I'm a TA. I did a certificate and a diploma as evening courses through UEA 10+ years ago, but I don't think I want to work in that area.

I'd like to retrain for a career of some sort. And need to as DH is retiring in a few years so we'll need more money coming in. I just don't know what to do!

My son is doing a nursing degree course at uni in September
He will be 39

I was 30 when I started my degree course and had the same worries. Which turned out to be groundless. There were a number of other mature students. Personally I got far more out of my course than if I’d done it at 18. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.