To think I’ve had my chance now

[graceeellixo]

Hiii I have a chequered background with further education and dropped out of uni twice due to reasons I couldn’t control, my father got poorly and sadly passed away, then when I went back to complete my degree I ended up embroiled in domestic violence to which I fled this year.

I have a 10 month old and am looking to a career in nursing starting next year, I’d hope to go back to uni or do via the open university. I’m 24 now and for the first time in years things are looking really positive and I can see a bright future ahead

I feel optimistic but have I had my chance to do something I want to do, I feel like I’m too old or Id be branded as a p taker.

Too old? I didn't complete my degree until I was 27!

Threads like this make me feel really really old.

24 is a baby.

Too old at 24? Not at all, you wouldn't be too old at 44, I worked on the wards and met student nurses well into their 40s and some even in their 50s. You must have the potential to have been accepted. My own dd has just qualified as a teacher at the age of 30. Go for it!

My husband completed his undergrad degree in his early thirties, and a masters in the year he turned 40, making a complete career change in the process. You’re never too old. The traditional route of university immediately after school has changed significantly since the advent of tuition fees and high living costs, and the age profile of any given year is no longer the 18 & 19 year olds of my university days, but a much broader range. You’ll not stand out at all, and even if you did, it’ll be clear that you’re there because you’ve thought clearly about what you want to do and are making an active choice to pursue your studies, which will be likely to give you greater commitment and stickability, which will be appreciated when you apply. It’s very easy at 18 just to drift along doing what’s expected of you, and end up in something which isn’t right for you.

A LOT of nursing students are much older. My DD completed her training a few years ago and there was a huge age range of students from school leavers to those whose children had finally grown up and left the nest, or people making complete career changes.

As a slightly older starter you will also have the benefit of life experience behind you plus you've already had a taste of uni, both of which will stand you in good stead.

I've just turned 32, I'm still studying for my degree, with the OU, you're never too old to start a new career. I've drifted from job to job, and have 2 kids, a 9 year old and a 6 month old. I failed my a levels, twice, and I'm not academic, but I love studying with the OU, I'm on my level 3s now. Go for it!!

TOO OLD!!!! Don't be ridiculous. I had my son at 21 years old and did my podiatry degree at 45. I'm currently enjoying a fine career in the NHS aged 58 having been promoted several times.

I finished my first degree at 26, my masters at 36, and now have a director level position in a field I love. I did the masters course when my second child was a baby and while working full time. Yes, everyone was younger than me on both courses and in a different place in life, but that was never really that much of a problem.

I think a much bigger question is whether you have the support to do it; as long as you have that in place, of course you can do this.

In nursing it's very common for students to be a bit older and have some life experience. 24 is not too old.

Not entirely sure about funding eligibility as you don't say how many years you've already had, but you should be able to find out on the funding body website.

I’m currently half way through an honours degree in Social Work, started at 34. I wish I’d have done it about 10 years ago but I’m doing it now, that’s the main thing. My class age ranges from 18 to 50’s. You’re never too old to learn, go for it.

I wrote YABU to mean YABVU to think at 24 you're too old to start a new career. For a career such as nursing a few more years life experience under your belt might be a great thing.

Oh, and to add, it know of people that are studying with the OU that are in their 60s and 70s, 24 is not too old, in fact I think you'd be some of the youngest studying tbh.

24

I started teaching training at 27, my friend at 36 (and many others I know in their 30s, 40s and even 50s). My friend has just retrained as a nurse and she's 30.

I think you will find yourself one of the youngest.

I meant old as in that i should’ve done it already I’ve already had 3 years of funding so I’m not sure how I will get it done

And no one is old, promise :)

@graceeellixo you've basically had one false start. Not at all unusual you also had very good reasons why it didn't work. Much better that you're safe and free of violence than have a degree.

Obviously you should plan it all carefully. Prepare a budget for the entire course, plan childcare when you're doing odd hours on placements, work out a plan for when DD is sick and you're meant to be on placement, figure out when you'll be doing assignments etc.

However it would be absolute madness not to start a career (at only 24) just because your first degree didn't work out. For very good reasons by the sounds of it.

Even if you finish your degree at 30 and retire at 50, you've still got two whole decades of working ahead of you. Make sure you spend those years doing something you love. It's not too late!

Bare in mind you don't get a maintenance loan if you do open uni as you're considered a part time student even if it's a full-time course, but you could get tuition fee loan. You can apply for extra funding from SFE if you had mitigating circumstances which meant you couldn't complete your degree, so you should still be able to get funding for another degree if you explain what happened. I'm 22 and in my final year at uni with a 6yo DS, there are people of all different ages at my uni. Don't worry - nobody will think you're too old!

Thank you everyone, I’m going to start applying properly in December. Pooing myself abit but I’m prepared lol

Not sure if it's classed as STEM, but if it is you may be able to get another student loan if it is. Also, maintenance loans, you can get one of there is a genuine medical reason that you can't attend brick uni. But if you're on universal credit it will count as income, but a tution fee loan does not. Join the Open University group on Facebook, there's loads of people that can help answer any questions you may have, past and present students.

Oooh no, I am 39 and doing a Masters! Go for it.

And I'm 2 yrs in and still crapping myself! Lol

And have a full-time job and a nearly 4yr old!

You are never to old to learn. Whether its a new career,instrument, household maintained. I'm 50 and have started Uni for my second bachelor degree for history