Going to Uni aged 33...

[PinkSnowAndStars]

I don’t know what my AIBU is to be honest. Aibu to feel so nervous and want to run in the other direction....

I’m due to go to uni in 5 weeks to start my studying of ODP. Never been to uni before... I’m 33, two kids but always wanted a career and I knew as soon as I started working in the NHS that I wanted to do something clinical.

Applied for the uni course in January, got on to the course and signed the forms yesterday for my trust to salary support me while I do the training.

I’ve been in my current workplace for over 7 years. Now the thought of leaving everyone I know and going off to do something else is terrifying me to the point of not sleeping well. I’m hopeful once I start I’ll love it and this is just a wobble.

Has anyone got any encouraging stories having felt like this? Is it normal to be this wobbly? Arghhhh

Good on you @PinkSnowAndStars
I'm 31,2 kids and would love to do a Paramedic course but I've missed it this year, defo going to apply for next year in September when it reopens! I know change is scary but think where you'll be when you complete!
Goodluck with everything!

Hi OP. I'm currently at uni (going into 3rd year) studying criminology with forensics and I'm
37 in a few months. I know lots of students around my age, a close friend being 10 years older. There's other a few 60+ on the same course as me. I did my access course before this and everyone on the course were mature students heading to uni and a majority of those were doing nursing/midwifery/ODP courses! You definitely won't be the only mature student. I found it daunting at first but settled in pretty quickly. Good luck 😊 for sept x

Congratulations on getting your place.

It's completely normal to feel apprehensive. I went to Uni in my 40s to do a clinical degree so don't worry about your age if that's what's worrying you. My cohort were a real mix from early 20s to 50s. In terms of missing your colleagues, why not book some bank shifts where you are now to keep your current connections? However this might get tricky to keep up once you are on placement and the academic workload increases.

Good luck.

You'll be fine! I went to university when I was 30 and I was expecting to be surrounded by highly intelligent and articulate 18 year old school leavers. But nope, they were just the normal monosyllabic 18 year olds that I remembered from my school days. Fortunately there were enough 'mature' students to gel with and once I started I didn't look back.

On that type of health course, presumably the students will be grown-ups already in the workplace? So you won't be out of place.

Op you'll be just fine, My aunt went back to study to be an ODP when she was mid 40's after her kids all had started school - she's now been working full time for many years and still says she only regrets not doing it sooner but timing wasn't right.

My dp also returned to uni at the age of 38 and just graduated last week with a first in fine arts. You are the perfect age to attend uni and do this course - you know what you want to do and youre focused on it.

I swear uni education is wasted on the young as many choose something they regret later in life. I do think its better to take time out and get to learn what you like and dont like so you can hone in and focus on that.

Good luck.

I think part of the wobble is a lot of it will be online. At the moment I work in a busy department, lots of people around... if my week is virtual study blocks then I won’t see anyone.

I’m sure it’ll be ok. It’s just this feeling of dread I’m hating. and worried I’ll hate it!

It’s lovely though to hear some of you have gone to uni and loved it!

It's understandable that you feel like that if the academic side is mostly online. When's your first placement block?

You may well hate it, but if you don't try you'll never know!

Its natural to feel nervous, but you will be fine! You will bring so much more maturity and life experience to your learning. My husband went to university at 33. He was the proud possessor of 1 CSE in technical drawing and that was it, no other qualifications. He not only got his degree but is now a university lecturer himself!

Hi OP,
Im 28 with DD4 and DS2. Im about to go into my final year of ODP training.

It is honestly fantastic. Your bound to be nervous. With everything going on with covid its a completely different experience but i guarantee there will be people in your situation and more mature students too. Might be worth setting up a whatsapp group when you all virtually meet for the 1st time to get to know each other. Ive met some people that i know ill stay in touch with after and i was so anxious and suffered from PND when i first started. Honestly you will be fine.

It is totally worth it. ODP is a very niche area of healthcare and not well known so the only advice i can give is make sure you know the role inside out! Good luck! Its a brilliant job!

Hand hold offered here. I'm starting a degree in September doing social work I'm more excited than nervous I have 4 kids and I'm 36. I can't wait for my new life

I’m a lecturer and we have lots of mature students - you definitely won’t be out of place and in some cases you may even be one of the younger ones! You’re in a fortunate position too - you’re mature enough to know what you want, you’re having your fees paid, and you have a definite job at the end of it. I went back to uni and did my masters at 31 and it changed my life. You’ll learn something new, and you’ll be spending your days in the company of people who all have the same interest as you, some of whom will likely become great friends. Totally go for it!

I went at 25 and the oldest on the course was 73! Did my teaching PG at 41 and half the course were around my age. Certain courses have more mature students than others - any healthcare degrees being one of them.

I think that universities are very aware that the virtual study blocks might be isolating and have plans in place to mitigate that. I teach on a uni preparation course and we've been preparing as much to ensure students don't feel isolated or disconnected as we have for the virtual studying part.

I went to uni age 20, with 1 child, when completed, I had 2 kids, a Mortgage amd working ft...( Sounds bragging, Im Not promise) But I felt nervous for a good few months at the start of each year..., I was the youngest on my course , Majority were late 30s- late 40s starting.
It was great to he amongst others with exsisting experience in the job and to get to know such personalities.
It was hard overall with a family and other comitments but very worth it.

Congratulations OP, I'm certain you will be fine, Enjoy it

I went at 26 for a 6 year course. I’m totally burnt out. Not sure if I would recommend it. I am finished now and have no kids. My anxiety is through the roof now, I just feel in your early twenties you are more worry free and don’t overthink - much more of a risk taker.

I'm starting uni this September at 37,and as I'm part time I won't finish until 43. I understand how you feel, but you are doing this to gain a specific qualification, it doesn't really matter if you're older than other students. We'll done on getting funded, your job prospects are already higher than any 18 year old on your course!

I went to university at 26 having dropped out of teacher training college at 18. It was one of the best times of my life and I appreciated it much more than when I had just left school. There were a few others of a similar age but I got on with the younger students as well.

I went at 30. It was wonderful. You appreciate it so much more a little later in life. I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did.