Mature student experience

[Asia722]

I’m thinking of applying for uni next year. I’ll be 22 at the time of starting. I know this isn’t super old compared to other mature students, but I’m a mum to a 1 year old and live alone just us 2 so feel like my lifestyle will be very different to your typical 18 year old who has just left home.
I’d love to hear anyones experience on being a mature student and what was it like. I know it will vary a lot depending on where you live (I’m in London and applying to only London unis) but I’m feeling a bit apprehensive about it because I don’t know if there will be many people like me or will I feel like an outsider the whole time?

I did my undergrad at 28. I wasn’t the oldest on my course by a long way. I’d guess this depends on the course and the uni you’re at. I had a fab time at the start but Covid ruined it all a bit for me. I imagine you’ll do just fine and would definitely recommend you go for it!

My first degree I started at 21 and thought I'd be the oldest student and the others wouldn't bother with me, of course I wasn't and I had a great time but I was young free and single at that point.

My 2nd degree I was a single mum of 31 and had the fear again I'd be the eldest student and nobody would talk to me outside of class.

Of course again this was nonsense. The eldest student on the course? 82!

I couldn't socialise as much as the other's money, time and babysitters being the issue but I managed a night out sometimes and became friendly with students of all ages and backgrounds, my uni "bestie" was one of the "young uns" and we did a lot together - mainly study of course - but also coffees, lunches etc

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and got along with the lecturers too. One of the best experiences of my life.

My dd also benefited as she was totally spoiled by my uni friends and had some very high brow bedtime stories read to her (my course was English lit & linguistics) she is now at uni studying - guess what!? She also didn't go to uni at 18 as she had some health issues that needed to be resolved first. She's almost 22 btw.

Please don't worry. If you'd like to pm me feel free to do so I'd be very happy to discuss your concerns in more detail if you'd like.

Also you wouldn't actually be a mature student as that's officially at 25 years old. Lots of younger people take "gap year" breaks of 1-5 years