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Mature study and retraining

Talk to other Mumsnetters who are considering a career change or are mature students.

Original poster

Has anyone gone back to uni/college as a mature student?

27 replies

Laurenjessicax · 27/08/2023 17:19

I'm 28 in October and I'm going back to college to do a foundation course in health care at college to then hopefully either go on to University or an apprenticeship type thing the course is an adults learners course but I'm worried I'll be around 19/20 year olds and feel very out of place has anyone has any experiences going back into education?

OP posts:
lotusflower77 · 27/08/2023 17:40

I'm going to college in September aged 40. I had children young so now they are older I'm doing something for myself. I wouldn't worry about what anyone thinks and just enjoy it, good luck xx

DisforDarkChocolate · 27/08/2023 17:48

I went to Durham University when I was 37(?, Obviously not studying maths). Had four children, my only regret was not having more fun/social life. I generally did it all 9 -5 and I think I missed out that way. All my fellow students were fine but pretty surprised by how many children I had when it came up.

DisforDarkChocolate · 27/08/2023 17:48

I went to Durham University when I was 37(?, Obviously not studying maths). Had four children, my only regret was not having more fun/social life. I generally did it all 9 -5 and I think I missed out that way. All my fellow students were fine but pretty surprised by how many children I had when it came up.

Dwrcegin · 27/08/2023 17:52

I went back into education at 33, ended up at Uni. Never regretted it.

There were plenty of older students on most courses at Uni, some in their late 40s and 50s.

Original poster
Laurenjessicax · 27/08/2023 18:15

I have one primary school aged. Did you find it hard to balance uni/being a mum? I'll be working my current job at weekends then study through the week

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Whosaidthattt · 27/08/2023 18:26

Just completed my full time two year masters aged 54! Quit my job after 25 years! Loved academic writing again. Yes, there were lots of youngsters and I felt old, but I am old and that's just the reality of it, but they were lovely. We got on well for groupwork assignments, they helped me with tech and I helped them with grammar! I didn't socialise with them and won't keep in touch with them but so glad I did the course! Go for it!

Knittingflapjack · 27/08/2023 18:28

I’ve finished an access course in health along side working part time and now off to uni soon. At times it’s been difficult to balance everything but some of that it because I do have a few kids. You definitely need to be able to make time for studying around classes but it’s very doable, especially if you have support around you.

eta, I’m now in the thirties and was one of the youngest students in my access group

Original poster
Laurenjessicax · 27/08/2023 18:31

Is your course full time? Do you live near the uni or commuting? My problem is the 2 closest unis are an hour away so if I'm there Mon-Fri say from 9-5 will be hard to manage with a young child

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NeverAloneNeverAgain · 27/08/2023 18:35

I did and access course and went to uni in mid 20s. There was a mix of ages some older some younger. I went back to do an MA at 32 with 3 chikdren to re train in a different field (Social Work) and most students were around my age. I actually enjoyed being a mature student. I was more focused and more organised than when I was younger and definitely more committed.

Knittingflapjack · 27/08/2023 18:36

My uni is about an hour away from me. I specifically choose a uni that only has one full day and two afternoons or mornings actually in the university so I could sort childcare fairly easily. The classes stay the same throughout the year so I can book the kids into breakfast club or after school club only on the days I need to save a bit of money.

Edmontine · 27/08/2023 18:37

Going back to education as a mature person is the whole essence of this board, @Laurenjessicax!

And you’ll find the majority of people doing it are probably considerably older than you.

(Speaking as another who studied for an MA in extreme middle age … )

alongtimeagoandfaraway · 27/08/2023 18:37

I’m going back to Uni in September to do a masters, 38 years after I graduated first time. You are unlikely to be the oldest student there!

Suddenlyverynervous · 27/08/2023 18:39

Yes me! I am 39 and just qualified as a Physiotherapist. I felt ancient as genuinely nearly all my cohort were soooooo young, but I'm so glad I did it.
Definitely won't stay in touch with any of them and they all called me their 'physio mum' lol but so excited for my new career and new job starting next week

Sudename · 27/08/2023 18:39

I did an access course aged 51 and have just completed 4 years. Without a doubt I was the oldest in my year and the oldest of the matures but found everyone lovely and interested in my life and journey.
Thinking about a masters now. .

Go for it!

Saveourholiday9 · 27/08/2023 18:41

I did it at 29. I found the access course quite full on, uni felt easier and less intense, but I didn’t have work placement etc on my degree so that could be why. Even though the access was quite hard work, I thoroughly enjoyed going back to learning and would recommend it to anyone considering it. The college course has a wider range of ages- a couple of early 20s but more between 25-40. At uni us oldies tended to stick together and they’re far more 18-21 year olds of course but it was fine!

girljulian · 27/08/2023 18:43

I am a lecturer for the Open University. I am 35. I have students who are 19 and students who are 80!

2chocolateoranges · 27/08/2023 18:57

I went back to college at 43, did a one year course giving me the qualification to change jobs. I wasn’t the oldest in the class and there was a real of ages in the class. Some like me wanting to change jobs and others straight out of school,

I hated the essay writing but glad I did it as I now have a new job which I Love!

been asked to do the BA but for now , it’s not for me.

OrlandointheWilderness · 27/08/2023 19:21

I'm just starting year 3 of adult nursing, I'm 39. Yes I am older, but there are loads of mature students and tbh it doesn't matter anyway, we all get along!

OrlandointheWilderness · 27/08/2023 19:22

What course are you wanting to do? I have a 12 year old DD and while it has been tricky at times it is doable. A good support network helps of course.

Suddenlyverynervous · 27/08/2023 19:28

Suddenlyverynervous · 27/08/2023 18:39

Yes me! I am 39 and just qualified as a Physiotherapist. I felt ancient as genuinely nearly all my cohort were soooooo young, but I'm so glad I did it.
Definitely won't stay in touch with any of them and they all called me their 'physio mum' lol but so excited for my new career and new job starting next week

Should have added - I have 4 children

Sortmylifeout52 · 27/08/2023 21:40

52 here and really want to do a uni course ( particularly as DD is disappearing off to uni in 4 weeks!)

Not sure what doing.

I did a crappy humanities degree in the early 1990's.

HellHound · 27/08/2023 21:54

I'm 50 in October and have 3 in primary school. One of the major benefits is not having to find childcare for the holidays! Yes it's hard sometimes but hugely rewarding, I've done 2 years now and it's flown by.

Hawkins0090 · 27/08/2023 22:01

If I could afford the ££ i d love to do another degree.
That said for our classes there was a mix of ages and everyone had mixed friendship groups.

Original poster
Laurenjessicax · 27/08/2023 22:36

Thanks for the replies! Feel a bit more at ease I'm wanting to do midwifery so I'm expecting placements and full time classes. Torn between do the access course then wait till sons older to go to uni because it would be much easier financially and childcare wise to work at my local job then it would be to go back to study however long term wise I'd be so much better off in say 20 years time if I just go for it. Feel a bit guilty as maybe I wouldn't be around as much as I am now for my son but at the same time in 10 years time when I'll be working full time we'd be better off financially if I can secure a career and be able to have a better lifestyle than what we would if I stay at my minimum wage job. If I'm even able to get on the uni course that is I've not studied in years.

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