Anyone had experience of being a mature student?

[4fromsuffolk]

My youngest DS has just started Year 6 and I’m starting to think about my career again. To date I’ve just been working evenings and weekends to fit with school. Anyone returned to University when they were middle aged? If so how did you find it please?

[claireyfairy8]

I didn't return when I was middle aged, but I did start a part time degree. I totally underestimated the time I would need to put in. I am not an academic, I learn by doing things. So while working 50-70 hours a week at unsocialable times, I found it hard. I only had to go in one Saturday a month, so I think have more regular classes would have helped. I take my hat off to those who do it with kids, I struggled with a job and 2 cats!

[Mallky555]

I’ve just completed my mental health nursing degree at 41 😊 I loved every second of it 😀
Of course nursing courses are full of people of all ages I noticed the younger ones would moan about he lack of social side of it due to the demands of the course and being in university 4 full days a week and then going out on placements.

[Guest]

Yes I returned at age 48. I am still on my course, studying for a masters.

How have I found it? Well the study itself has been fine, I have completed half my modules now and am on track for a merit. I currently am working on my project / dissertation during the summer holidays and will start my next set of modules in September. I was a January starter so my academic year is a bit unusual.

I found the other people on my course very nice and friendly to me, but I did not become part of their various friendship groups (which was fine with me). I was always welcome in any group activities or group assignments. A couple of my lectures were in the evenings and some people were working and studying part time, I found I could relate to these people a bit more than the full timers that started with me.

I always thought of myself as just another student but a couple of times I realised some people thought I was a lecturer. For example some of the students wee saying how unpleasant the staff in campus coffee shop were, I was surprised and said they couldn’t be nicer, then I realised why. Another time, I walked into my lecture room at lunch time about ten minutes early, there were groups of people in there having lunch, they asked if I was in there next, I said yes, they all packed up and walked out. Again it was only afterwards I realised they thought I was a lecturer.

[PoohBears#1fan]

Yes, I did my British Wheel of Yoga diploma in my 40's (level 4) and my Return to Professional Practice in nursing course (level 6) 2 years ago, next September I'll begin a masters in fertility scanning. go for it, I've had nothing but good experiences, my RTP course was questionable in relation to practice but no issues with the uni experience. I'm 48 next month.

[4fromsuffolk]

Thank you for all your replies, they are appreciated.

[Tinkerbell]

I did my nursing degree at the age of 45... never to old to learn. Go for it. Now I’m retired I would love to do an OU degree in humanities or some other subject but it’s sooo expensive

[ch1ps]

Go for it!

I started my BA with Open University at 40 - whilst working full time.
Then started my MA at 46 with Birkbeck (evening classes) again still working full time.

I got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes whilst in the middle of my BA and my 1st grand child arrived too. So I've had a few ups and downs and have managed to complete so far.

My dissertation for my MA is due at end of Sept this year, and I hope to pass

[Guest]

I went back to college last September (I’m 32) to study Animal management (level 3). I am in a few weeks beginning a foundation degree in Animal management and Zoology. Last year I worked 3 days, was in college for 3 days, volunteered at a farm 1 day and parent my 2 kids aged 10&4. It’s was hard going fitting all those in so I’ve been lucky enough to quit my work to concentrate on my uni course.

[Disneyphile]

I’m 39 and I am working on a psychology degree through the OU. The OU is really flexible so is great for those with children and other responsibilities. I can highly recommend it.