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Original poster

First week at uni as an older student- Do I complain?

63 replies

killedtheplant · 26/02/2025 02:43

Hi All, I am overseas studying nursing and being in my 30's the class is a mixed bag of all ages, genders and backgrounds as expected. We are in week one and although naturally its going to be a lot to take in, I have been struggling the most with the teens who have just finished a 1 year pre-nursing course to gain them access to the university study from finishing school. The problems I am having are that some of us are not fresh off the back of a pre nursing course and are learning a lot of this stuff for the first time and im finding that during class a group of the pre nursing students are constantly shouting out the answers and theories to the tutor while she is explaining. This leads to the tutor to move on and almost expects that we all are up to scratch. A lot of us arent! I am by no means shaming the other students for their knowledge but I feel its bad show of the tutor to have such an 'ok you guys got this! well lets move on then' attitude when many of us are still not informed about the topic we just whizzed over. I know a few of you may suggest calling the tutor out next time and explaining that I haven't indeed 'got it' and would like to be informed. Do I send the tutor an email and explain my thoughts or do I just stick it out and hope that the tutorials become more in-depth?

OP posts:
Middlepiepush · 26/02/2025 02:47

You definitely need to speak to the tutor about this. Not to complain but just to explain that you are struggling to keep up. Good luck

Ilovelifeverymuch · 26/02/2025 03:09

You shouldn't definitely bring it up if not your studies will suffer.

You can email if you're not comfortable speaking to him/her in person but it may be easier and more effective to go speak to the lecturer after class. If that doesn't work you can email to have a record and then take it to the next level by escalating to the department but hopefully it shouldn't get to that stage.

Fraaances · 26/02/2025 03:10

I’m 53 and have just started 1st year nursing also. I think you should email the lecturer and let him/her know that the you feel that those who have not completed the pre-nursing course have a distinct advantage and are taking over the class and their constant shouting out is distracting you from learning. If you get nowhere with this, then message again cc’ing the Head of Faculty.

KrisAkabusi · 26/02/2025 04:20

I feel its bad show of the tutor to have such an 'ok you guys got this! well lets move on then' attitude when many of us are still not informed about the topic we just whizzed over.

It's not a bad show of the tutor if she doesn't know there's a problem. Next time she wants to move on, just say "sorry can you go through that again." If you're not comfortable doing that, talk to her afterwards. In person should be easier than emails.

Hyperfish808 · 26/02/2025 04:30

Tell the lecturer. It’s not a complaint. You just have to say. Wait til after class or e mail. Or you must have a course rep. Go via them!

sashh · 26/02/2025 05:09

E mail or talk to the tutor. I've taught on nursing Access courses and I would want to know.

I also recomend a particular book for further reading, your tutor might be able to recommend something.

Good luck with the course.

Ohshutupdavidyoutwat · 26/02/2025 06:13

Can you not just put your hand up and say actually please can you explain as I don't know that?

EliflurtleAndTheInfiniteMadness · 26/02/2025 06:25

You don't need to complain, just let them know what's happening. If they don't work to manage the group better, reduce the interruptions and not rush through the material then I'd speak with the lecturer about the situation, see what they think and what they advise. Then complain if that doesn't work.

Rocknrollstar · 26/02/2025 06:25

The important thing to remember is that if you feel like that then so do other people in the class. You are there to learn and you need to either a) put your hand up and ask her to clarify and explain or b) speak to her after the class and tell her what you have told us.

HelmholtzWatson · 26/02/2025 06:25

Lecturer here - just speak to the tutor at the end of one of the sessions to explain the issue. I'm sure they will understand, appreciate the feedback and be more mindful in the future.

FWIW don't email. It's impersonal and risks being overlooked (even as faculty, I can struggle to get a response from some colleagues during the semester...).

Zanatdy · 26/02/2025 06:34

I agree in asking them for a word at the end and explain. Once he knows, i’m sure that he will go over it properly.

Northerngirl821 · 26/02/2025 06:38

Another one who thinks you should speak to the tutor after a session and ask if they can slow the pace down a bit as not everyone is understanding. The tutor may be able to suggest some resources/reading to you as well to help you catch up.

ItShouldntHappenToMeYet · 26/02/2025 06:47

killedtheplant · 26/02/2025 02:43

Hi All, I am overseas studying nursing and being in my 30's the class is a mixed bag of all ages, genders and backgrounds as expected. We are in week one and although naturally its going to be a lot to take in, I have been struggling the most with the teens who have just finished a 1 year pre-nursing course to gain them access to the university study from finishing school. The problems I am having are that some of us are not fresh off the back of a pre nursing course and are learning a lot of this stuff for the first time and im finding that during class a group of the pre nursing students are constantly shouting out the answers and theories to the tutor while she is explaining. This leads to the tutor to move on and almost expects that we all are up to scratch. A lot of us arent! I am by no means shaming the other students for their knowledge but I feel its bad show of the tutor to have such an 'ok you guys got this! well lets move on then' attitude when many of us are still not informed about the topic we just whizzed over. I know a few of you may suggest calling the tutor out next time and explaining that I haven't indeed 'got it' and would like to be informed. Do I send the tutor an email and explain my thoughts or do I just stick it out and hope that the tutorials become more in-depth?

You have a tongue in your head. Use it.
You are going to have to learn to challenge people and situations in your nursing career. Some may be hard, will make you unpopular and make you wonder what the hell.
If you cannot challenge younger people or your peers at your age, you may need to reconsider this course.

Poppins2016 · 26/02/2025 06:52

Not to complain but just to explain that you are struggling to keep up

ask if they can slow the pace down a bit as not everyone is understanding

OP, when you speak to the tutor, I wouldn't use terminology like "struggling" or "slow it down" when the reality is that you're simply not able to learn effectively as course content is being skipped because the tutor is moving on due to some students demonstrating the required knowledge.

I'd ask for a face to face chat and say that not everyone has attended a pre nursing course, so there are knowledge gaps and you (plus fellow students?) would appreciate it if all of the required course content could be covered accordingly please.

LindorDoubleChoc · 26/02/2025 06:52

Don't make it a complaint. Just speak out then and there as it is happening. This will help the "shouting teenagers" to be more mindful of appropriate behaviour in a group learning setting also.

Superhotpoet · 26/02/2025 06:54

When I was a mature student they offered a ‘remedial maths’ series of tutorials for anyone who wanted to come. The students who had just finished their A levels openly laughed at this announcement . The first week there were 4 of us, all mature students; the next week 7, not all mature students; by the end of the first term the remedial maths class had to move to a bigger room. Talk to the lecturer privately at the end of your next lecture, you will definitely not be the only one in this position.

Rewis · 26/02/2025 06:57

Does the tutor have office hours?

MayaPinion · 26/02/2025 07:05

You can also help yourself here. Make sure you do the reading in advance of the lectures, and if the slides are on your VLE (online) then read through them and make some notes. That way when you do go to the lecture you have a better chance of being able to follow everything.

Sunglow1921 · 26/02/2025 07:06

If you don’t want it to come across as a complaint, when the tutor says we’re moving on during class, say ‘I didn’t quite get that, could you please explain it again?’. If you do that a few times, a decent tutor should get the idea. Or, if you don’t want to say it in front of other students, ask the tutor to explain again after class. But I think the first option is better as others will benefit from the teaching too.

Annio82 · 26/02/2025 07:07

You need to say something at the time. If the tutor goes to move on you need to say, could you just clarify, or could you go over that bit again, I’m not quite sure about …

if you don’t feel able to do that then speak to your tutor and say that the pace is too fast, but I don’t think there’s something to complain about in this situation. University education is very much about taking responsibility for your own learning and if the only people in the class engaging are those who are picking things up faster/have pre existing knowledge then that is the pace the tutor will move at.

monkeysox · 26/02/2025 07:09

killedtheplant · 26/02/2025 02:43

Hi All, I am overseas studying nursing and being in my 30's the class is a mixed bag of all ages, genders and backgrounds as expected. We are in week one and although naturally its going to be a lot to take in, I have been struggling the most with the teens who have just finished a 1 year pre-nursing course to gain them access to the university study from finishing school. The problems I am having are that some of us are not fresh off the back of a pre nursing course and are learning a lot of this stuff for the first time and im finding that during class a group of the pre nursing students are constantly shouting out the answers and theories to the tutor while she is explaining. This leads to the tutor to move on and almost expects that we all are up to scratch. A lot of us arent! I am by no means shaming the other students for their knowledge but I feel its bad show of the tutor to have such an 'ok you guys got this! well lets move on then' attitude when many of us are still not informed about the topic we just whizzed over. I know a few of you may suggest calling the tutor out next time and explaining that I haven't indeed 'got it' and would like to be informed. Do I send the tutor an email and explain my thoughts or do I just stick it out and hope that the tutorials become more in-depth?

Not a complaint but a conversation

Diningtableornot · 26/02/2025 07:13

Ohshutupdavidyoutwat · 26/02/2025 06:13

Can you not just put your hand up and say actually please can you explain as I don't know that?

Yes, why not do that? The tutor is interactive with students and would adjust her speed. Fact is you haven’t all done the pre nursing course and the tutor needs to take account of that.

AgnesX · 26/02/2025 07:13

F2F if you can rather than an email. Start building relationships.

Have you got anyone in the same position who can support you too?

CaptainMyCaptain · 26/02/2025 07:15

Middlepiepush · 26/02/2025 02:47

You definitely need to speak to the tutor about this. Not to complain but just to explain that you are struggling to keep up. Good luck

This. The younger students can't help being the way they are. If you're not keeping up ask for help for yourself.

Cunningfungus · 26/02/2025 07:17

As PPs have said, speak to the tutor - after class one day would be good as it’s still fresh and you can give an example of what happened.

Also - it’s the first week and they are probably just over enthusiastic and wanting to show they have understanding of what’s going on. If they’ve done pre-nursing, it’s likely a big deal getting in the degree course, and they’re just excited! Things will settle down. (I’ve also been in a job supporting nursing students so have some experience of this).,