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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

An up to date mature students thread?

50 replies

Kuponut · 28/01/2020 19:25

Thought we might benefit from a new one - I'm first year doing Speech and Language Therapy along with having two kids. Not new to university study as I did a degree and PGCE a depressing number of years ago but still find the mature student thing quite lonely at times.

Anyone else out there?

OP posts:
Hairwizard · 05/02/2020 21:35

Am 39 next month and seriously considering a degree. Though would need to do the access course first as i never took a levels after finishing gcses.
Obvs cant start anything til sept. Really wish id thought this through before now. I have 4 dc incl 7mth old twins. Am i wise??Grin

Flowersmakemyday · 05/02/2020 21:59

I'm 56 and in my final year of studying Textiles. It's been 2 years at 6th Form and this is my 4th year at uni as I took a placement year. I'm finding it really hard to settle this year, missing my husband and home so much more.

random9876 · 09/02/2020 17:12

I am 43 and doing my second MSc (in Occupational Psychology, first was pure psychology conversion MSc). I'm enjoying it but I am quite worn out as my kids are still young and I have a ton of work to do. @Hairwizard, my attitude is that if study matters to you, then it is worth it

Original poster
Kuponut · 10/02/2020 12:45

I'm still here - chugging along but think I've lost most of this week as I'm off sick and don't think it'll clear up by tomorrow, plus then I've got placement I'll have to neck half of Boots the Chemist to get through and then one of my kids has a medical appointment!

Going to be spending most of the week on catch up replaying lectures! Thankfully so far I think I've missed two fire alarms and a room change from the course chat.

OP posts:
SaskiaRembrandt · 10/02/2020 12:53

I'm in the final year of a history degree. Like Kuponut this isn't my first experience of higher education, I also did a degree a depressing number of years ago.

It is different this time round, but in a good way I think. I'm a lot more enthusiastic about the subject at least.

Draculahhh · 10/02/2020 13:07

Hi may I join too? I'm 37 and in my first year of a Social Work BA, I am finding it all a bit heavy going, but enjoyable.

quiteathome · 10/02/2020 16:04

I am 40 and in my first year of a healthcare related degree. I love it. Going back to university is the best thing for me. Not sure how I am going to manage placements however will cross that bridge when I come to it. I have two junior school age children.

It is hard, and I have to be super organised to fit everything in.

WhatALearningCurve · 10/02/2020 16:29

32 and just started a law degree with Open University. Not sure how i'm going to find the distance learning thing as I feel like I need some sort of enforced structure, but we've only had one introductory lecture so far. Hoping something clicks once I have some actual work to do for it

Original poster
Kuponut · 11/02/2020 09:49

WhatALearningCurve I found the limbo period where they were just doing introductory stuff before they got into actual content the absolute worst part of things - I cope much better with things to focus on that I can DO and control!

Phonetics is frying my brain at the moment! I'm getting bonkers high marks in all my modules but this one just makes me feel like I've sat and had my head flipped open, brains scooped out and scrambled after every lecture right now!

OP posts:
Greende · 11/02/2020 09:57

38 & I am starting a p/t Masters in English in September. I did my UG in my mid-20s. My oldest is going to uni this year to do English, so that feels a bit odd. Luckily not the same uni, as that be a bit too weird.

00deed1988 · 12/02/2020 11:21

I am no longer a mature student as I graduated at the end of last year.

I went to uni to study midwifery and am now 3 months into my 1st midwife job!

I was very lucky as around half my cohort were mature students with kids.

I was 27 when I started but been working since 16. Married with 2 kids.

Was the best thing I ever did even if it was hard to juggle everything and my social life was non existent. I haven't really seen my pre-uni friends since I started as they struggled to understand the pressure of running a home/raising 2 children/uni/placement ect. as most were single/no children.

But I wouldn't change it for the world.

You've got this! I found some facebook groups for midwifery really helpful, maybe have a look if there are any for your course? Good luck!

coefficientquery · 19/02/2020 06:51

Hi there, nice to see a mature student thread again, they are so rare on MN!

I am in my second year of a radiography degree and mid 40s so left it very late. I do love the course, and flew through my first year both in uni and on placement, but I am finding this last part of yr 2 a massive slog. All assignment based and stupid amounts to do by May, along with weeks of hospital placement too.

I have a secondary school child, now settled in yr7 so have it much easier than some of my uni friends who are single with primary aged children.

Uni is doable as a mature student, but you do have to be super organised, and motivated. I tend to be seen as a bit of a girly swot, but I have to work in that way to get everything done. I work part time, run a home, have a DH and an elderly MIL living next door who I help out.... Can't wait to finish yr 2 just now.

CheesecakeFactory87 · 19/02/2020 16:06

Hey can I jump on this. I'm meant to begin my degree in October and I'm already panicking about how I'm going to fit all the work in!! I work FT with two children and my days feel crammed already.
Any top tips from anyone who's been there?

quiteathome · 19/02/2020 17:06

Just be organised. And keep up with the reading. I don't work full time though. Whst are you going to be studying?

I have a set of exam results coming over the next few days. I am slightly worried.

APurpleSquirrel · 19/02/2020 19:20

Hi, I'm 40 & considering a starting a PGCE in Primary in September. In fact I had an interview today & been offered a place but am in a real quandary about it all.
I have 2 DC (1 at Primary & 1 at nursery), & very supportive DH & great PIL but I'm worried about the workload, the logistics (school/nursery pickups etc,) & whether it's the right move for me & my family as it'll have such a huge impact on everything.

carly2803 · 20/02/2020 19:46

can i join?

im the wrong side of 30, want to do a healthcare related degree (2nd degree)!,but probably need to do an access course first.

just worried about funding if anyone has any advice?!

quiteathome · 21/02/2020 12:48

I am doing a health-care degree as a second degree. We get student loans etc. And from September we will get a bursary.

It will depend on the university as to whether you need to do an access. It is worth emailing. (I had other relevant study within the last 5 years- as well as previous degree)

carly2803 · 21/02/2020 20:11

thanks @quiteathome - with the access courses, as a 2nd degree do you still get funding for that - student loans/fees?,i think they are level 3?

quiteathome · 21/02/2020 20:26

I don't know about access courses. You probably need to ask your college

SardineJam · 23/04/2020 11:49

I've been accepted to do an MSc in HR management come September. In September my eldest is going off to secondary school and my youngest will be in year 4. I am 34.
I am really looking forward to furthering my studies and feel I have the maturity now to focus and get on with what's required.
I am going to be working full time and studying part time over 2 years

EllaAlright · 02/05/2020 10:18

Hi all,

I’ve been accepted to study English and Creative writing at university starting this September. I’m currently undertaking a short 10 cats point course through Oxford University Department of Continuing Education on The Wars of the Roses. Really enjoying it, although some parts, such as reading Middle English are quite tough, but on the whole it’s going well. That finishes in July, so only 2 months after that I will be back in Education.

I last went to University 8 years ago, but that was healthcare related, so a bit different this time round.

How’s everyone getting on?

QuestionableMouse · 05/05/2020 22:02

Last few weeks of an English degree. Currently struggling to finish my dissertation due to a number of factors. I've had a day off today and I'm planning to have a really good push at it tomorrow.

EllaAlright · 06/05/2020 09:40

@QuestionableMouse how have you found the English degree? That’s what I’ll be studying this year so interested in your thoughts.

Inocenia7 · 06/05/2020 09:56

Hi I am looking at going back to uni as a mature student and a mum of one. I have started my application all ready to go the university have stated that they are still accepting applications. But my old department manager has stalled my application as has not completed the reference after stating they would four weeks ago. I have reminded them and they just say they are working on it. I am getting so frustrated. In my last role I was only there for a year as we move locations frequently. So I am struggling who else to ask. As it health care I need two. I have a colleague who is doing the second one.

EllaAlright · 06/05/2020 10:44

My original degree was Mental Health nursing, but at that time you only needed one reference, so my tutor from my access course supplied that.

If you’re already including a reference from your work (colleague) is there anyone that could provide an academic reference? Have you recently done an access course or GCSEs/ ALevels?

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