To ask if my son will be able to fit into university

[Takemebackto]

He’s starting late due to mental health problems. He will be 25 when he starts in September and is planning on moving into halls.

Plenty of people on my course and in my halls older than me (at 18) when I went 10 years ago. Was in the minority obviously but certainly not alone.

He will find people similar to him and with shared interests if he explores joining societies (there's literally one for everything you could imagine: ballroom dancing, law, religion, yoga, shooting, beer making/drinking, circus skills, reading, poetry) along with societies for each subject. Id highly recommend him joining a society around something he is already interested in but also trying something completely new and random. My best friends from uni are the people I met in societies rather than halls or on my course. Still close friends 10 years on.

Halls yes traditionally will be filled with partying 18 year olds. But not every one in every flat will be like that and if that's not what he's into he will find people somewhere with shared interests. Even if that's just a quieter flat or group of people to go the cinema or the library with.

The beauty of uni is there is so many people from every walk of life with every type of personality and want all in one place.

My advice is for him to go with an open mind, be friendly and sociable (where he feels able) and push himself to try new things. Even if it's just the once! I met my husband in the society too!

Best of luck to him and hope hen enjoys it.

my friend went to halls at 23, loved it and got on great, I don't think he's too old at all.

Our uni had a student 60+ living in halls!

Is it just the age you worry about?

My dd got to put what age group she wanted to be in a flat with. So he might be able to request to live with people of a similar age.

When I read the title, I thought you were going to say he was 40 stone!!!

I went at 18. My best friend that I met in freshers week was a 24 year old guy. I thought he was sooooo cool and mature. He'll be fine.

For my second degree I lived in halls and the block was reserved for mature and international students. It is fairly standard. He will fit in well and you'll have the peace of mind that there are wardens and plenty of company for him.

When I was at uni 30 years ago the oldest student was 65, others were in their 30s and 40s.
My daughter is at uni now and there are students of all ages.
I think it enriches her learning experience to mix with a wider age range, to hear different perspectives etc.
Also most universities these days have excellent pastoral care / mental health support.
Your son will be fine, encourage him to make the most of it.

I’m sure he’ll be fine, it’s also not all about who you live with so I would encourage him that even if he doesn’t become best friends with his hall mates that’s not the be all and end all. All my closest friends I made through my course or societies etc rather than through who I lived with

Dd went at 18. She was very much the baby on her course.

One of my housemates was slightly older than your son. We called him Grandpa but he was very much one of us. He slotted in perfectly and his age was never an issue. We're still all very close.

My DD is 19 but in her halls it really isn't all mad partying - out of the 10 on her wing, 6 are homebodies, her included. And there are so many societies that your DS will find his tribe, whatever they might be.