Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Flip

Original poster

Hoping to become a mature student but terrified!

19 replies

McBear · 07/09/2014 17:55

I'm not sure where to post this but primarily it's about going back to education so here may be best. I'm 27.

Has anyone ever taken a big step and given up work to go back to education?

I have a degree, I got a third. It's useless. I wasn't motivated. I have a job that I hate.

My plan is to quit, get my 6 months experience in care and go on a nursing degree.

I have a very almost three year old and a quite supportive partner. (Historically, he hasn't been but is becoming so and promises he would be about this)

My issues...

I'm terrified I won't have the intelligence or capability to get the degree.

I'm terrified to quit my horrible but reasonably stable/reasonably well paid job.

I'm struggling to even write my cv for the care job.

How will I live financially when I'm struggling on a 20k income as it is.

DD may have a huge gap before any siblings come along. She may not get as much time with me as is necessary. I'm doing this to give us a better future but I think she may lose out initially.

Has anyone else taken this or a similar big step? Can you hand me a grip/words of encouragement?

OP posts:

AtiaoftheJulii · 07/09/2014 18:23

Starting a two year post grad diploma in adult nursing tomorrow ....

I don't really have any relevant experience (a few days voluntary work by the time I had my interviews), just talked a lot about what I had done and what I wanted to do!

Are you going to apply this autumn, or do you want to have some experience first? You will be able to do the degree, I'm sure. And the writing (what feels like bullshit to me!) about yourself gets easier, I promise.

Money side - well, no fees to pay back. You get a grand non-means-tested bursary, plus possibly more, have a look at the Award estimate calculator www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students/3941.aspx ), plus you can borrow a maintenance loan from Student Finance England. So it might not be too awful. And you might be able to continue part time care work.

Go for it

Original poster

McBear · 07/09/2014 18:31

Eeeek, how are you feeling? Good luck!!!!

I'm planning on saying I'm working to get the experience as I apply. I don't know when the deadline is so it depends on that as to whether it's sept/oct or march.

I can only really go to my local UNi, practically speaking so I'm very nervous I will be applying for years until they say ok. Kind of like where he writes about library books in shawshank redemption

OP posts:

WestEast · 07/09/2014 18:37

I went to Uni at 25 to study nursing, I'm now 29 and been qualified for a year. I worked in a call centre previously to that. I gained care experience by caring for a relative for several years.
Go for it if it's what you want. The course will change you.
If you google 'student nurse forum' you'll find lots of info and advice.

smokepole · 07/09/2014 20:30

Mcbear. well you have got two things more than me , for a start you are 13 years younger and you have studied to degree level (even a third class) is better than D grades GCSEs .

Mcbear like you, I am just about to become a Mature Student with the Open University, the thing I like to say though I am sure you are capable of becoming a successful student. Best of luck with your studies...

NCIS · 07/09/2014 20:39

I have just become a mature student doing a degree in Paramedic Science at the grand old age of 49 so you're a mere baby compared to me

I do have my fees paid by my NHS trust and I did get A levels but they were 30 years ago so am concerned that I haven't the brains to get through the next year (fast tracked) but on my enrollment day I was surprised to see the much younger students struggling with things that I found quite easy. Conversely I was making heavy weather of things they found simple so I'm hoping we will support each other.

Yes it will be tough but I would always say go for it, my DC's are proud of me and I'm sure your DD will be proud of you and what a brilliant example you are setting her.

OrangeyTulips · 07/09/2014 20:40

McBear 'a ship is safe in harbour but that's not what she is built for'. Go for it - you aren't meant to know everything at once. As ds's ninky nonk toy tells us at random 'we're going on a learning journey...'! Good luck!

mathsgsceresit · 07/09/2014 20:41

I did my degree as a much older mature student than you I was mid-40's when I graduated and I am now doing a masters.

PHD is definitely on the cards if I can manage to afford it

Go for it!

Original poster

McBear · 08/09/2014 05:48

West, how did you prove you cared for a relative? I ask because I helped my mum after a hip replacement and helped my dad through alcoholism. Im not sure if they are options to include.

You guys have said everything perfectly. The ship quote is so fitting.

Perhaps we should start a support thread!

I think my age will be ok. I won't look too out of place, I won't be that old but I'm not sure if I will be significantly older than the majority of students. I imagine I'll have a lot more sense but that could be wrong

OP posts:

Vietnammark · 09/09/2014 22:41

I left school with a handful of GCEs then over 25 years later did an Executive MBA. Found the first couple of modules very difficult as I had no idea how to write papers, but after that I got the hang of it and graduated top of the class. Admittedly I had gained a lot of business experience before doing my EMBA, but I was very nervous at the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed being an older student. Go for it!

hockeymama · 11/09/2014 21:41

Started a foundation degree at 51 this week! Go for it and don't be like me wasting time and regretting lost years.

chocicecream5 · 20/09/2014 11:12

I went to uni between the ages of 29 and 33. I moved to a different area of the country and house shared. I didn't have a child and a partner at the time though so I understand you will want your own place. So many people on my course were older, many in their 40's and I thought I would stand out as being old! I look back now 5 years on and 29 seems so young! I had been on a low income prior to starting the degree so did ok on the amount I had during the degree. It's normal to have the fears that you do but you can do it!

badasahatter · 20/09/2014 11:25

I am 49 and am starting a degree in education. I'm having the same fears as you to some degree...will I cope with the work load? Will I be smart enough? What have I done?

My friend just did a midwifery degree and has worked her socks off for years with a family of 3 small children, one of whom arrived with a major heart defect, and she's just graduated and landed her first job. I look at her and think, if she can overcome those kind of obstacles, so can I.

Good luck with it all. You may have moments of regret, but the chance to do a job that you love and to know that you've taken on these skills will be such an achievement.

Original poster

McBear · 20/09/2014 14:49

I've not got any further with this because I have been so extremely busy with work. I have mon-tues off so will work on it then I think.

I need to find the deadline for applications and info on how to write a personal statement. I've seen how much of a bursary I'll get and there's no way I could live off that so I'll have to find something I can do.

I think I need to find a job in care first too and have written a cv but it is on my iPad so I need to format it correctly. The only computer I have access to is at work...!

I'm so glad you've all told me your stories. It shows me I can clearly have a chance at this if I work

OP posts:

Madasabox · 30/09/2014 21:15

I am a mature student in my second year of an undergraduate course. I am much older than you and have 3 children 5 and under. It's very hard work and I hate leaving the kids, but I love the course! Go for it. If you love it you will make it work. You do need your partner to be supportive though - otherwise it will be very difficult.

janet41 · 02/10/2014 21:50

Very mature student here just started masters; the re is very wide age mix on. My course and already we are a fun and lovely group. Fill in the form - if you don't apply, you don't have any chance of going :)

shedgirl · 26/10/2014 14:53

I'm 45 and in my third year of an education degree. I study part time, so it is cheaper and work 34 hours a week. My youngest is 14, so not too bad. However, I did not anticipate the impact of my parents' ill health and the subsequent death of my mother. I do sometimes resent the amount of time that I have to spend studying, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel now. Good luck!

guitarosauras · 26/10/2014 15:00

Final year of nursing here. It is a struggle and scary at times but it is doable and so very worth it.

I had to do an access course as had no recent education.
I get an NHS bursary which although isn't huge really helps.
My family are supportive.
I had no care background but 'transferable life skills' which can be all manner of things.
At 29 you are still a young mature student. I can't remember 29

Good luck!

Elibean · 26/10/2014 18:03

Good for you, McBear!

I'm 54, and have just started a 5 year MSc.

We can be mad together

Elllimam · 26/10/2014 18:20

I'm 33 and have just finished my MSc and am starting my doctorate next year :) crazy here too xx

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread