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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is anyone embarking on university this year as a mature student?

16 replies

LindsayDenton · 13/05/2019 12:15

Hi all,

I’m going to uni this year to study a BA in English. I’m hoping to either go into teaching after or develop further with professional writing. I’ll be 38 when I start and 41 when I finish so a bit worried I’m too old. Anyone have any experiences?

OP posts:
Mandraki · 13/05/2019 13:19

No experience but I am starting uni in 3 weeks time to study Learning Disability nursing. I'm 29 and have a nearly 2 year old, I say go for it!

Sweetiepie71 · 13/05/2019 13:45

I’m just about to do my third year exams, I started my BA in philosophy and psychology when I was 37, so I’m 40 now and graduating soon! Don’t worry about being too old, you probably won’t go for nights out with your classmates (I certainly don’t want to!!) but it won’t make any difference to your learning experience. I had my doubts before I started, but I realised that i’d be 40 this year with or without my degree, so I might as well be 40 with a degree. Good luck, I won’t lie to you, it is difficult, but you’ll have a great time

Holidaycountdown · 14/05/2019 02:31

BSc sports therapy...2 weeks of first year exams to go, I am 36, so will be 38 when I graduate. I am considering a masters after this, loving it!

Tigger365 · 14/05/2019 02:38

31, halfway through the 1st year of a 6 year degree. You aren’t alone!!!

Graphista · 14/05/2019 03:22

I did the same in my 30's and I made fabulous friends and I went on nights out and all the other fantastic things that are part of uni life.

You will not be the oldest in all likelihood not even close - the oldest person on my course was 83!

We roughly divided age wise into

Youngsters - 18-21 year olds coming to uni pretty much straight from parental home

Mid lifers - 30-50 changing career, pursuing new interests post divorce etc

Late lifers - retirees who were doing the degree purely for pleasure/own satisfaction.

PLEASE don't worry I'm willing to bet you'll have an amazing time! Make the most of all that's on offer. I loved the subject and the challenge and the debates but I also loved the social side - lunching with other students and lecturers, joining clubs and societies, nights out, days out...

I wish it were a job!

Poppins2016 · 14/05/2019 03:38

I'm 31 and thinking about starting my higher education 'journey' this year... I'm attending an open evening for access courses at a local college this week!

I'm currently on maternity leave, but suddenly realised that I'd be wasting my life by returning to the same old 'non-career' later this year, so I'm hoping to get my act together and pursue my dream. I'll be working for a long time so I might as well do something fulfilling (unfortunately for me, what I want to do truly does require the degree/further training, but it'll be worth it).

So... no experience, but I wanted to say good luck! Smile

Writersblock2 · 14/05/2019 07:23

I took a third year equivalent module with the OU. I finish end of this month. I’m then doing another in October and hoping to start my postgrad next year. I love it. It gives me confidence. I’m 37.

ConradKnightSocks · 14/05/2019 07:50

Me too! I already have a degree but made a lot of bad decisions as an 18 year old and wasted the opportunity. Am finally following my passion, changing career and starting my second BA this September. As it's second time round I won't get any funding so have to do it part-time over 6 years. Will be 33 when I start and 39 when I finish. Have been worried about being the oldest one there and sticking out like a sore thumb, reassuring to read some of these comments that that may not be the case!

sashh · 14/05/2019 07:51

I went to uni at 32.

I've since acquired a couple of teaching qualifications and I started an OU degree last year.

FirmlyRooted · 14/05/2019 08:29

I went back last September, part time whilst still working. Doing a 2 year master's and its definitely worth it! And I'm 38...

LeoTimmyandVi · 14/05/2019 08:52

I am just about to graduate as an OT at 42. Go for it!

suziedoozy · 14/05/2019 09:00

Did a masters last year, am currently on maternity leave from a PhD and I’m early 40s!

Do it! It is exciting, daunting and terrifying but so so worth it!

Waiting to see exactly what it will be like with a small baby though🤔

Original poster
LindsayDenton · 16/05/2019 09:26

Thank you everyone for the responses. I’m hoping that there is a diverse range of people on my programme. It’s all a bit nerve wracking!

Pleased that there is other people out there in similar situations.

I feel a little guilty that my 2 year old DS will have to go to nursery for 2 days a week, hoping he will enjoy it.

OP posts:
suziedoozy · 16/05/2019 09:58

Don’t feel guilty about nursery - he would have to go if you worked & I’m sure he will settle quickly and enjoy it.

Mine is starting nursery 3+ days a week from just over 6 months as that is when my paid maternity leave finishes. I am very fortunate that I have a paid studentship.

Good luck 👍

EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 16/05/2019 10:11

I’m 45 and starting a mh nursing degree

Never too late to study many of us shall be working until we are 70!

Rather a job that you enjoy or get some satisfaction from

supercee · 16/05/2019 10:22

Me!

I'm 37 and starting a HNC (1 year) course this year then will hopefully go on to a degree. Really looking forward to it but not looking forward to being skint but I couldn't go on for much longer in a boring admin job. Soul destroying.

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