to be shitting myself about starting full -time University next week at the age of 42?

[TerribleTeenTweenTwinsTantrumm]

Am bricking it.

I am a fat, old boring mother of 4 who has extreme anxiety issues (panic attacks and OCD). I see myself running out of the lecture theatre in panic .

I am going to be a laughing stock aren't I? No one will want to sit with me at lunch. What the hell have I done???

You're being daft. I think going to university at that age, with your family commitments, is nothing but bloody admirable and I'd have nothing but respect for you.

Stop being so hard on yourself. Good luck!

You are a go getter with exciting life experience. Go for it!

I completed my second degree a couple of years ago (I'm in my forties) and I was the oldest one in the classroom, but it gave me the advantage because I had so much more general knowledge and common sense experience.

Everyone will be thinking about themselves rather than you. Just enjoy this exciting new challenge!

Ooh you lucky thing! I'm just about to turn 42 and would love to be contemplating starting a new study course. Sadly I'm still to tied up with pre-schoolers to attempt even thinking about it.

Don't worry about the age thing, when I was actually at university there were many mature students and we just treated them the same. Think of it like a clean blank slate - you can be whoever you want to be, not necessarily that boring old mother.

Good luck!

There are lots of mature university students at uni, you'll be fine.

Did you also know you can also access specialist help at most universities who will put a plan in place for you (e.g. help with study skills, a plan of what to do to catch up if you do run out of a class, extensions if you have a relapse of illness) to help you get onto a level playing field- you shouldn't be disadvantaged because of your issues- contact your personal tutor and ask about how to access these services (at our uni, a centralised disability centre does all of these, and there are also study support services, counselling services and so on. Don't be afraid to speak up and access these, they are all there to help students who have additional needs because (to put it bluntly) the university wants you to succeed and doesn't want you to drop out.

Lots of the students on my course were overweight (some extremely), and a lot of students were shy.

One of them occasionally had to leave the room because of panic attacks (no one noticed - I only knew because she told me).

Many of them will have issues of their ownto deal with and some will probably have a child or two. Try not to stereotype people - it's not High School Musical! Just go do your thing - you rock.

my SIL did it at that age and now she is fully qualified and working in her chosen field. It was very tough though on her and the whole family. I imagine it could be an amazing experience and open up a whole new chapter of your life. Good luck and hope you enjoy the experience.

I went at 40, classes were a mixture of ages. One of the best things I have ever done. Loved studying (wish I was still doing it!), had a great time socially. It will be brilliant; as previous MNs say, if you start to feel out of your depth academically or socially, take the assistance that will be on offer. They will have heard it all before and will want to help. Uni today is not all cool l8 year olds (and even l8 year olds have their own confidence issues I seem to remember!).

OP, there is nothing in what you say that would come across as at all unusual or unheard of to your university.

Plenty of mature students, plenty of students with health issues of various kinds, it's what we're set up to deal with and (if I may say so) do rather well. And the students themselves are adults (even the young ones straight from school); it's not liking being back in secondary school where they might laugh at your glasses or something.

Just make sure you let student services know about your anxiety issues so that they can offer you the support you need, and so that there is a paper trail should your problems ever interfere with your studies (e.g. if you have to rush out of an exam). Keep your personal tutor in the loop and make him/her work for you when it comes to finding out about support.

Hope you really enjoy your course!

Best wishes on your new experience. I hope you'll enjoy it.

I went to uni at 30 and had a fab time. Admittedly I was childless and single but there were older people in the department doing degrees and post grad. Everyone got on well. I am now just finishing an MA.

Don't be anxious. Just have a friendly smile and you will get on brilliantly.

Hello OP, I'm 42 and about to start year 2 of my degree. I love it.

I've made friends, mostly among other 'mature' students (some are in their early 20's). It took me a few weeks to settle in, but it has been brilliant.

Best of luck with your studies :)

It might take a couple of weeks to 'settle in' but it will be fine and you're going to have a brilliant time, good luck!

Oh, thank you all .

I have been out of the workplace and very isolated for 4 years since DC4 and before that had another big enforced gap (5 years with twins!), so I have not been able to find a job for love or money and I am determined that I am not delegating myself to the scrapheap just yet so I decided that getting a degree would help my prospects and, perhaps help with me getting a temp job during the long holidays that I can also put on my CV. I feel like this is my last stab at attaining a decent career.

I have been working in Senior secretary/PA roles and I am taking a Business Degree. Not really my dream but hopefully enough for me to get my foot back in the door in the City (used to work in Banking in London).

I would rather have done an English Literature degree but the nearest Uni was too far away for me to get to with DC school drop offs etc.

I am terrified and excited about committing to something so big (with student loans) that I may not be able see through. DH has reassured me that he will kick my butt of the door whether I want to go or not and the Uni is literally 15 mins walk away so no excuses!

I am painfully shy due to my anxiety issues but will talk non-stop if someone talks to me first so hopefully it will help with my social phobia!

Gahh, the DCs will reminding me to do my homework instead of the other way round.

Sorry to hear you're feeling that way.

I had mature students in a couple of my seminars at uni and I would say that they enriched the group and people really valued them. It was nice to have some variation- even students get tired of students!

I also suffered from severe panic attacks at uni and sometimes had to leave the room so I fully understand how you feel- you're not alone! But the University and other students were very supportive of me and I graduated with a good degree.

Please enjoy yourself and if you do ever have to leave the room for example, don't feel bad for a moment.

You will be absolutely fine. This is a great opportunity, you will never look back. Mature students are a great asset to any course as they have lots of life experience to offer. Enjoy.

Well done, it's admirable that you still have the drive in you to achieve your goals. It will be a bit overwhelming at first but being a mum of 4 you've had the best practice! All the best

YABVFU

You will fucking love it!

I am so jealous of you! You will not be the only mature student, you'll be able to hang out with them. After all, they'll probably feel exactly the same way.

Good luck and enjoy

You are going to be fine. There will be more than one mature student on your course. When I was at Uni there were nurses who'd do a night shift then come straight in for a seminar and then home to pick the kids up. I don't know how they did that, must have been made of steel. I also studied with postmen who also came in after they'd done their rounds and a retired woman who was doing one degree after another for the fun of it.

There is a lot of support for any student who finds the pressure and anxiety a strain so make sure you know all about he support services.

You may also find that even if you are doing business studies you can bring your love of literature into it, for example by studying the cultural business sectors. Also there might be social opportunities that you can take up that cater for all your interests.

You are definitely not boring!

Fair dues to you. Go in there with your head held high. I envy you, tbh. Remember everyone no matter what age they are, are battling their own issues. Best of luck, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Good luck OP. I am starting full time uni next week too and am 31. So I will be a mature student. First of all - I think it will be the best thing you ever do! No one will be looking at you - they will all be worried about themselves. Your age and weight are irrelevant (I am sure you look lovely). If the younger students do look at you they will be thinking she has more experience than us - and may look up to you! It has taken me years and years to realise education is a gift and to truly appreciate it. Don't concentrate on the end goal or making friends or being shy/ anxious - just concentrate on going in every single day and embracing this new experience! And I am SURE there will be other people there in the same situation. I find it helps my confidence to force myself to put my hand up first or answer the teacher's questions first - fake it till you make it.
Get some new Stationery!!
good luck - remember you are in an enviable position.

Oh - and you have given birth four times?
You can do ANYTHING!!

Don't be daft OP. You won't be the only mature student there. I work in a uni library and there are loads of mature students. Mumsyblouse gave some really good advice there too.

I really hope you love it.

As a lecturer, I really appreciate older students and the insight and experience they can bring to a class. You won't be the only one, and you know what you're there for. It's going to be great!

you will be fine I am in my third year at 41 :)