Anyone else starting in September?

[PeachyClair]

All systems ready to go here! Student finance confirmation arrived today, passed esams last week, childcare in place... go, go go!!

I will be studying at Newport (Caerleon), Religion and Philosophy.

Actually, I think setting hard targets is the way to get things done, personally I live off adrenaline. I have three kids, a DH with two full time jobs, one of the kids has SN, and live miles from anyone I know! The adrenaline gets me through!

Actually Bristol DOES have an issue with mature students, I know the Mature student co-ordinator and love her sdearly (a tutor of mine last year- do miss Betsy!), but even she admitted Mature students there are rare. May be it is the same at Warwick?

Ex went to York and didnt seem to get much from it except three years asleep and a mediocre degree, 'staus' can't be that important!

Mind you, I have told Dh if I do further study (PGCE or post grad), I'll travel to Cardiff or Bristol!.

I start a nursing diploma on September 12th at Hull.

Hull goes back early so graduates enter the job market early. I did my first degree there and finished it 27th April and I know a lot of my friends benefitted from that

Its not the best uni in the world, but I like the course structures and the support systems.

Support Systems matter, esp to parents! I've already been 'had up' to the Uni on my own to go through the timetables, as I mentioned that would help with Childcare etc, that was worth a thousand top ten ratings to me! Course Director / Tutor even showed me my classroom and gave me an entire tour of the Sports Hall etc.

Wow, that is good PC. I haven't even looked into any support systems that might be in place.. I am so not ready for this am I lol

Anyone going to Leeds or to be a youth worker? HELP!! I am SCARED - am I gonna be the only "mature" student there?

Did an access course last year but my parents were looking after the kids at that time, now I got them back with me - whats the trick to getting organised and motivated to work?

Hi, I did an access course too- I reckon if you survive that you can survive any course going!! Only trick I ever learned was C-Beebies and sweets- sorry but that was my only escape!

I think all Uni's have some mature students don't they these days? A lot have mature student co-ordinators, maybe you could give your student support an e-mail and ask? I have been harrassing mine for months already!

I'm not worried about the mature student quotient (loads of 19 year olds on my access course, they were all brilliant) but with the course I am doing, a bit worried about how many spiritual hippy types there will be! I struggle with 18 year olds who think they know it all coz they travelled to Thailand for a week and got their spitual karma sorted, or whatever!

Fingers crossed though!

i don't think that its a case of the later the start the better the uni i go to thames valley uni in slough and they don't start back unitl oct 20th!! and they were in the bottom five percent probably even bottom. i only go there because it is the closest that did the course i wanted to my home, as at the tiem didn't want to move, but now can't wait for my course to finish to move!

I think what it probably is, is the more marketable their conference facilities the longer breaks they have to allow them to do this? Just a guess! Only being flippant about 'the better the uni the later the start date'- at least I hope so, mine brought mys tart date forward a week tday!

i was joking about the later the start etc, sorry i know now reading it back that it seems pretty humourless!!!! but it was supposed to be flippant too -

I go back to Uni in sept too, after a little break....namely ds!
I'm doing a post grad cert in Public Services Management (I'm a nurse/manager). Started it 2 years ago but gave up when pregnancy nausea never went away and I felt too ill to study. Hoping to enjoy it this time!
Good luck to all you other students too!!

Been down the endless nausea route, not surprised you gave up! Are you looking forwards to it? Coz after I had the hyperemesis, everything vaguely related (eg gold shoes, brown trousers) made me feel nauseous right up to - well now, TBH!

I am looking forwards to it because it's really work related and enjoyable! Plus I get a break from work one day per week to go to Uni/self directed study.
Not looking forwards to sitting down to write assignments though after a 4 year break since I did my degree - it will be a to the system.
Thought about starting again last year but ds used to wake 4 or 5 times over night, including evenings, so no time to study!!
Are you looking forwards to getting started?

I did Access last year so it is a bit like a continuation, in that I'm in the study habit now! But I am really missing it! DS1 wakes three four times a night at the moment (if he settle- LOL!) but I will make myself do most of my study at the Library, I think. I have bookied extra with Childminder

Hi,
I'm doing a second year now in September. Can't wait to get out of the house again!

21st i go in for induction- CANNOT WAIT- I make a useless SAHM, I am afraid!

Im starting Journalism and pubkishing studies in Spet too! Got info in about what date to start on, but im afraid Im a little late to look for financial help.. I wasn't aware i could get hel as my DH works and is self-employed and earned a good amount last year.. I have filled in a form and sent it on, just have to wait and see if i fit all the criteria.. although they take over £1000 per child off his earnings i think (IIRC)
I have sorted a lovely childminder who lives near the playgroup and will mind DS and pick DD up from playgroup
The nerves are beginning to kick in now..I also have a graduation ceremony for my access course in october, so i'm nervy about that too... Uni will HAVE to toughen me up

I wish we had a n aceess grad ceremony, gonna miss the lovely friends I made there, we are already dispersing far and wide (though the majority are going to Bath Spa, lucky to get each other, but Bath Spa wanted me to take a really weird course combi).

Anyone know how the options thing works? I have to do 2 modules from other subjects but that's all I know.

I'm seriously thinking of not going to uni after all now. I've applied 6 years running and something has always cropped up, but this year I think I really have just got no chance of going. DS2 will only be 21m when I start, is that too long for all-day childcare? dd will be 3 in October, so even she might be a little young, not too worried about the cost, but think I might just not fit in with the student life while feeling guilty for leaving the kids... will still study with the OU though. And then do a postgrad/masters or whatever at a 'proper' uni.

steffee - my dd (16 months) will be in childcare from end of Sept and I think she will be ok. It won't be full time but will be at least 2.5 to 4 days. Does worry me but am sure she will cope better than me!

If you think you will be unhappy though don't do it! I think the OU is great.

I'm in 2 minds still tbh. On the one hand, I think it's important for the kids to mix with other children, and if it was say 4-5 half days a week I would be happy to put them in a nursery, but if there are going to be any full days, I'm worried it might be too long. ds1 starts school so I would definitely want to be finished for the day to get over to pick him up from school, which means I would need to finish at 3pm at the latest, and not start until 9.30am-10am at the earliest every day to take him there.

I know I'm talking rubbish, plenty of people's children are in a nursery at my kids ages and younger, and there's nothing wrong with that, but I've just got a bad feeling about going to uni this year, maybe just nerves lol

My son has been at his chilminders 4 days a week since he was 10 months. Shes great and he loves going, it was the only way I was going to get to do my course.
I'm off to uni in september and it'll all continue as before.
Its all about getting the right childcare for everyone.

ps its very nerve wracking preparing for uni