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?!

Thanks, guys! Yes, I did registration last week, this is the real deal. Two lectures tomorrow - Packaging and sustainability in the food industry, and research methods. Last Friday we did a tour of a local craft brewery, (the advantage of studying food and drink!) so I’ve met some of the group already. Early night tonight!

Gosh you start early! I don't register until the 24th, lectures start October 1st. So I've got another two weeks.

Good luck Nyman!

I got in touch with a mature student support person at Uni to ask about the possibility of early leaving regularly, and she 'subtly' tried to find out... but the answer was 'we accept sometimes people have to leave early for unforeseen circumstances'. This, I take to mean 'no you can't leave early regularly'. Individual timetables should be available this week though, so it may not be as bad as I am fearing with tutor groups taken into account (she says grasping at straws!).

I have made alternative arrangements now anyway as I can't leave it to chance if Uni are not flexible enough (leaning heavily on family though).

I had a real wobble last week, and ended up chatting to someone who confirmed there were more than 7 people around my age on the course, so I feel loads better about going now.

I have even done a couple of practice runs and parked and walked to the campus to calm my nerves about the commute. All fine when not rush hour.

Got a 2 day introductory course on Weds/Thurs this week for adult learners, so not long now.

Good luck blackspaniel1! My first day was fun, I met new friends from several European countries, and the lecturers were fun and friendly. We didn’t have to sign a register or anything and recordings of the lectures are going to be online, so I definitely could skip one or two if I need to. (Not that I’m planning to).

Good luck to you all.

Glad your first day went well @NymanPerkins

Am slightly frustrated - we got our timetables last week and I met with my line manager to work out my hours - now they've moved one lecture which has totally changed the dynamic of my week! I'm sure work will be fine, but I hate messing everyone around!

We have to scan our ID cards as we go in to lectures, so it is noticed if you aren't there. Unless of course you give your card to a friend to scan...

Hi SeaGlass the changing timetables sounds very common now. I had a quick meeting with one of my course tutors this week and she confirmed our timetables won't be set until we start next week.

I think it is particularly hard for mature students as we are so used to being in control of everything, planning and organising things in advance so nothing goes wrong. Then to put us in a uni situation where it seems we have little control over upcoming events is harder for us to deal with. The advice to me was 'don't expect things to run smoothly to start with and try and be more laid back about things for now'. Easier said than done when you are working around children, a home and part time work!

On the plus side I have attended a 2 day course for adult learners this week and it was so valuable. I now know my way around a little bit, and have met lots of other mature students, and some from my course, so there will be familiar faces next week. We had some workshops on academic writing, how to handle new workload etc, so all really helpful.

Good luck for anyone starting next week. My first day is Monday, and I am very excited now. I even got a chance to look at the uni bookshop and see which books I need to get.

I'm just going into my final year - at 44! I'm slightly envious of those starting out on this big adventure. I'm more focused on finding a job now - potentially full time which will be the first time I've worked full time since I had children.
Our course is unusual in having a high proportion of mature students - there were only 2 school leavers and I'm not the eldest.

We're pretty much all living at home which is an hour away for many of us so we mainly socialise with our own friends. The uni also doesn't have much in the way of a union or societies. It doesn't even have a bar! I think this is probably the extreme end of the student experience and it feels more like going to work. But it's fine. I'm there to learn rather than have a social-life changing experience!
The learning, however, is tremendous and I've really enjoyed being there.

Just had to inform work that I can't let them know my availability yet because all my modules haven't been confirmed. While I could make an educated guess, it doesn't help that one of the core modules is split into 2 groups for lab sessions and they haven't told anyone which group they're in yet! I'm also still waiting to hear which language I will be taking as my second optional. Hopefully I will have all this information before I start back.

After reading this thread, I contacted the NUS Women’s Officer and received a pleasant and positive reply. I have asked for permission to copy the response to this thread, but in the meantime, I was referred to a study called Bairn Necessities which was carried out in Scotland (where I am studying), which you may find interesting.

Hi everyone. I'm 41 and I start my p/t MSc later this month after graduating with my first degree almost twenty years ago. It's exciting but I'm nervous at the same time as it's so long since I did any academic writing. I've bought this book to help me

The uni has a lot of mature students. There's some societies I'm interested in joining but feel I'm too old for them as I suspect most will be attended by much younger people. Just checked and unfortunately and there isn't one for mature students.

They've changed my timetable again... This change is actually for the better this time though so I'm crossing my fingers it is the final one!

I'm thinking about joining societies, I definitely remember mature students being quite active in things like Women's Soc when I was last at university. I'm definitely not going to be on pub crawls until 4am, but there are a few that interest me. I'm planning on going round the stalls in Freshers Fair to get a feel for how friendly they are!

There is a meeting for mature students in my department during induction so that we can get to know each other, as well as a meet and greet in the Students Union for mature students from all departments. There is also a reception at the Students Union for postgrads.

Another Mature Student here (31). Starting Molecular Biology in 3 weeks time and very excited about it!

I am heading to Birkbeck, which specialise in Mature Students and lectures reflect that in the form of evening classes and various part time options. Commuting 2 hours for the opportunity and it really is my last chance to get a degree.

@RoryGilmoresEvilTwin I actually live in Norwich, but can't commit to the lecture times for Biomedicine so this was the next best option for me. I am in a position where I can work Uni around my ExDH having the children.

I just have to remind myself that when the commute is shit in the middle of winter that it will all be worth it

I'm 35 and meant to start in a couple of weeks. I'm really jealous of everyone who has timetables!

I'm beginning to think i've made a big mistake with my choice of Uni, their admin is dreadful.

Living rurally means my commute is about 1 1/2 hours each way and they're driving me insane with lack of communication regarding timetabling!

Freshers week bump!

I am doing a blended MSc so part taught, part online. Turned 40 last week

Meeting course director next week, induction webinar on Tuesday and then first module starts on 1 October.

Have been through and blocked out dates in work diary for days on campus and deadlines for assignments.

Excited and apprehensive in equal measure!

Well I think apart from the staff I was the eldest person on campus today!
Hopefully meeting mature students at a gathering later this week.
@Belletower you're very lucky to have part time as an option, I would have loved to study part-time.

I have found the GradSoc (society for postgrads students) group on Facebook and joined. Lots of events coming up with them - things like lunchtime walks once a week, study sessions where everyone goes to the PG study suite together to work, and a weekly wind down drink in the bar. By definition, as a lot are PhD students, they aren't all really young.

Reality is kicking in now and I am getting quite anxious. I'll be fine once I start, I just hate the waiting.

At least I'm lucky in that the campus is 15 mins drive from home and a 5 min walk from my office. I don't think I could cope with the commutes some of you are doing!

Just looked at the guide to freshers' week - lots of night clubs, foam parties and DJs. Not sure they'll be much on offer for someone in late 40S who likes a quiet night in and listening to The Archers! There is a mature student meet up next week, plus a compulsory subject induction, then lectures start on 1st Oct. I'm terrified!

I think I'm going to give the Freshers Week clubbing a miss... I am going to go along to the Freshers Fair though to look at societies (from the Students Union website they aren't all about pub crawls) and there are some less alcohol fueled freshers events, e.g. a cinema night with cheap tickets. Also free access to the gym, pool and all classes in the sports centre for the first week.

Timetable has changed again

Just picked up my university ID card - it's official, I'm a student.

Still feeling petrified!

Slowly coming together. Finally had language module confirmed, though blackboard refuses to acknowledge this. Sat through my 4th lab talk (went to it twice last year for fun). And then sat through a compulsory talk on placements. Upshot is I want to do one, but I can't afford to.

I'm 36 and just started at uni (again) 2 weeks ago. This is my third time, as my MA was very vocational and I want to change career.

I'm not even the oldest on the course, only second! Most people are recent graduates, so lots aged 21-23. But they're all very nice. I do find myself hanging out with those closer to my age range, partly because we have things in common such as kids and mortgage.

Really felt the difference today though when the young 'uns came in from a night out on the lash. One actually fell asleep in class this afternoon, which appalled me.

I'm thoroughly enjoying the course though, it's definitely been the right choice for me. Good luck to everyone else going back to school this year!

I’m nearly 23 years old and recently started at college after a few years off from education. I eventually decided to do a travel and tourism course and go into the travel industry as a holiday childcare provider. Or a financial advisor. I love traveling and providing information and advice to people.

To be organised and ensure I didn't leave anything at home, I had a tote shopping bag for each module. On the day just grab and go, each bag contained sets of post it notes, pencil case, notebook, highlighters etc