Help. Uni interview tomorrow (for me, an old bird).

[AudTheDeepMinded]

I'm hoping to retrain at the age of 45 (46 by the time course starts). I've got an interview tomorrow (over Zoom). Today I'm preparing but I'm just panicking and catastrophising. It does not help that I have a house full of (well 2) Covid children.

Due to caring responsibilities I have only applied to one course at one university, so I mustn't fuck this up.

Please talk me down, offer me some advice or tips. Also, am I nuts for considering doing this at this stage?

You'll be fine most universities are desperate to recruit students at the moment, especially post graduate. Be clear on what you intend to do with the degree when you finish, they like solid career plans. And how it ties in with previous experience / studies. What are you studying?

Bribe the kids with everything you have going. Set them up with drinks, snacks, tablets and a reminder that you don't want to see them unless something is on fire, they are bleeding more than a tissues worth or a volcano erupts.
You'll be great, just remember why you really want to study this and show that enthusiasm. FWIW, I'm 49 and decided that doing an MBA would be a great idea on top of a very FT job. And I'm loving it!

Just wanted to say "good luck"

Thanks all. Hoping to do a BSc in Medical Imaging. Huge change as my previous career was humanities based, but hopefully can demonstrate lots of transferable skills and relevant life experience.
I definitely have career plans, as in I'd very much like one! Seriously, would love to have a community-based role such as at a breast clinic. Or, if I turn out clever enough, would love to get into research and education, but don't know if that sounds a bit big for my boots?
Fully intending to bribe the kids with unfettered youtube access and some chocolate!

After Covid, and BT's incompetence, resulted in the interview being rearranged twice, I was interviewed and have received a conditional offer of a place. Gulp, Better get on and finish the Access Diploma I suppose!

Congratulations! and best of luck with the studying

Congratulations 👏🏽 What a brilliant and confidence building outcome. The ‘conditional’ will be the incentive to achieve well in your access course so you are well prepared for the demands of the course.

Well done enjoy your studies,

Great news, all the best.

Well done you!!

Aw, thank you. Massive imposter syndrome!

WOOOHOOO go you! So pleased for you!!

Come over and join us on our board now. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mature_students

Excellent news, congratulations OP! You'll settle in soon enough and the imposter syndrome goes away when you're more aware of what's expected. Best of luck with it all

[quote pupcakes]WOOOHOOO go you! So pleased for you!!

Come over and join us on our board now. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mature_students[/quote]
Will do, I'm currently trying to get my head around student finance...Shall I max out and spent it all on booze in Fresher's Week?

It can be tempting when you get a big lump in your account 3 times a year!

I put it all in a different account and "paid myself" every month (boring) but it's been harder this year with a Postgraduate Loan

(I took the absolute max I could get and have no regrets, I will never pay off my loans!)

Congratulations!

I echo the suggestion you get this moved over to the Mature Study & Retraining board. (MNHQ will readily move the thread for you.)

Hi, OP. We'll move your thread now. Good luck with the interview!

Congratulations! I'm 41 and starting a BSc in a health related field in September so I'm in the same boat. Two kids to juggle also.
Feeling very old to be doing it all again but also a new chapter.

MASSIVE congratulations!!
Go show them how it's done girl!!!😊😊

Congratulations! It’s such a good feeling. I’ve also got a conditional offer to study a health degree (nursing) for September. And I’m also in my 40s. It’s a good age for a career change.

@ButNotTonight20 @BonBon21 @TildaRae

Thank you! How are you all getting on with applying for finance if that is not an impertinent question? I did a degree in 1997 and I am getting differing opinions about whether I am eligible or not (uni says no, Loans company say yes) I'm applying and seeing what happens. There's a palaver because I have to verify who I am by an actual letter to the Loans Co. to allow them to send me the means to activate the online account as I count as a pre-existing costumer.

I'm assuming that I don't qualify for any finance as I completed a degree in 2002. I was thinking of applying just to see what happens but I'm guessing it will be a lot of paperwork?

Anyone under 60 who has a BA / BSc is eligible for a Government Loan for a postgraduate degree.

www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study

For this reason you’re better off seeking out a Master’s degree you can get on to, rather than embarking on another Bachelor’s degree.

Even if you want to pursue an unrelated subject, after a long period out of academic study, there’s every possibility that you could persuade a university to accept you. They would certainly expect you to provide evidence of engagement with the new subject - but they’re much more flexible with mature students. (Obviously there are exceptions.)

The important thing is to speak to the relevant university staff long before any application deadlines and establish just what they’d need from you. Don’t just fill in a UCAS form without doing this.

@TottersBlankly

Anyone under 60 who has a BA / BSc is eligible for a Government Loan for a postgraduate degree.

www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study

For this reason you’re better off seeking out a Master’s degree you can get on to, rather than embarking on another Bachelor’s degree.

Even if you want to pursue an unrelated subject, after a long period out of academic study, there’s every possibility that you could persuade a university to accept you. They would certainly expect you to provide evidence of engagement with the new subject - but they’re much more flexible with mature students. (Obviously there are exceptions.)

The important thing is to speak to the relevant university staff long before any application deadlines and establish just what they’d need from you. Don’t just fill in a UCAS form without doing this.

Thanks, that ship has sailed as I have an offer of a place.