Uni as a mature (40) student. What to expect?

[RoryGillmoresEvilTwin]

I'm starting uni next month as a 40 year old LP and I'm nervous!
I've had the UCAS 'congratulations!' Email for a while but as of today I've started getting emails from the uni and it's now feeling a lot more real!
Stupid things are preoccupying my thoughts such as what should I wear 😂 and what if I don't make any friends because I'm so old 😭.

I'm doing Environmental science and I can't wait but I'm now equally scared and excited.

Are there any mature students out there that can give me some perspective and/or stories of oldies done good?!

So many wonderful and supportive posts. Thank you!
A dictaphone is a genius idea and I'll definitely be investing in one.

As for funding, I'm entitled to the full maintenance loan which works out at around £700 a month and as a lone parent (non lps may get it too but i dont know) I'll also be entitled to child tax credit. On top of that I've applied for a dependants grant through sf and I've been told to speak to student services to find out if I can claim anything as a lp from the uni directly. It's all a bit up in the air right now but I'm not panicking, it's just a process. As I complete one step I move on to the next.

I'm really quite excited now.

Meant to also say that I'm so glad I started this thread. So much helpful information from you all!

Can I join? Extremely mature student here, starting BA in English next month, I'm 51! Bit worried that I'll be the oldest by MANY years but trying not to let myself be bothered by it.

Rory my mature student friend is a LP on an otherwise non-existent income and has found the uni really supoortive and helpful in working out what she's entitled to and helping with all the paperwork. Student Finance are also not as rude as some of their advisors would make you think - just keep calling back until you find someone nice 😂

Thays really good to hear argumentative. I'm planning to make an appointment with them next week and I'm sure they'll point me in the right direction.
It's all a bit of a minefield tbh.

When I had my interview with the course director, she said that one of the things the university doesn't want is for people to fail because of hardship. She came across as understanding and supportive. I liked that, and it has made it the perfect time for me to this. No way could I afford it otherwise!

Hi Put and welcome ☺ congrats too!

My daughter just completed her first year with 6 mature students in her group of 30. The youngsters went out of their way to make these women feel included. My DD tells me she has 6 new Mums!

That's really nice Ma. I hope I'm with nice young'uns like your dd 🙂

That's an awful lot of nice...must learn to proof read 😂

I went to university to do a law degree aged 18. There were a few older students on our course, including two retired police officers who were planning on qualifying as solicitors or barristers and doing criminal defence work, they were very late forties I think. They were very friendly and down to earth and we all got on well with them, no reluctance to join other students for coffee or a drink in the union bar. I think they lived in hall, though not the one I lived in. I think if you are friendly and approachable and adopt the attitude that you are all in it together you will get on fine.

Hell everyone, I’m 55 and off to start a MSc. But my first degree is from the OU so I’ve never been to uni before. Very nervous, but excited too. Glad to meet you all. Good luck!

Hello, even!

I went to UEA too, though not as a mature student. Wasn’t a going out raving type so did make friends with older students there.

In the nicest possible way don’t worry about what to wear, env has a high density of walking boots and fleeces, and my best friend is a lecturer in the department so I know :)

Good luck and have a ball

Gosh how many of us are there! And I am not even the oldest. Reassuring to hear people say the young 'uns are friendly!

I'm loving this thread. Also feeling the love for UEA.
I'm not actually worried about clothes. I think its my way of not worrying about the big stuff 😂
I'm so worried about the big stuff that it's my coping mechanism to focus on the small stuff.
I'm looking forward to wellies and raincoats 🙂

Given there’s quite a few of you what about getting this moved so it doesn’t get deleted or starting a new thread in Higher Education section and keep it going as a support thread?

First Congratulations on getting accepted !
My wife did Biomed Science at APU ( now Anglia Ruskin) when she was 40 - 25 years ago now. Immensely enjoyable, hard work, got a good degree, made lots of friends - some the same age as our children were then ! Added new dimensions to her ( and our lives) and gave her a good career.
Whole family chuffed as could be then and now. Go for it !
PS Can't remember what she wore but she always looked smart.

@postnotinhaste yes please!

Expect to be mistaken for a tutor

I started my science degree at 42 and was pleasantly surprised how many other mature students were on the course. Congratulations and good luck.

Post that's a great idea. I'll really enjoy hearing about how you're all getting on! And when things get tough we can have a moan together 😂

Dragon Nah, I look far too immature to be mistaken for an academic 😂

@Rory I was often ‘told off’ for being in the mature students building and should get back to the GCSE site

@queribus I hope I can put your mind to rest. A friend did biomedical science post 30 and she'd not even done biology or chemistry o-levell. She said she felt totally out of her depth the first month - but came out with a first and is now v high in NHS.

Hello all!!!
Came onto the site for some reassurance on mature students, not expecting to find anything. I've found my group
I'm also starting in October (i think) doing Earth and environmental science, like you Rory. I'm 44, similar to you queribus and will be commuting into a uni with not very many mature students, similar to yours pipe.
I have a confirmed place but been unable to sleep with worry the last month, hence wasnt 100% i was going to take my place, the usual concerns, being the oldest, making friends (or not), the travelling! This thread is a bit of a lifesaver.

I know there are more of you, just going to go back and read everyones experience. Thanks for starting this rory!