starting uni - any tips and advice please

aurora_14

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Lokolo

Where are you going to university?

Oldernotwiser

How mature a mature student are you and what will you be studying?

In general, accept that being a student is totally unlike having a full time job and you need to adjust in many ways. Financially, you need to realise that things which you might have thought to be essentials when you were working will probably now be luxuries. On the other hand, you may well find your life more interesting and more fulfilling when a student, particularly if you use your time wisely and get fully involved in all that university has to offer.

Good luck.

The_One_Who

What are you studying and how 'mature' are you? These can make a difference to the advice offered.

University is different from having a job, you really need to be able to motivate yourself. No one is going to chase you up for anything.

Finances will probably be much tighter being a student than having a full-time job, but that's something that can be easy to adjust to. Just make sure you try to budget and live within your means.

Study skills are different for everyone. You'll know what works best for you.

When you start everyone will be in the same boat as you, no one will know anyone and everyone will be a bit nervous. Just start talking to people and see where it gets you.

Oldernotwiser

aurora_14 wrote: »

I am in my thirties :-) and I'll be doing business/management degree full time whilst working part time. I know it'll take some adjustments but for some reason I am a bit anxious and also scared a little bit.

Most people are scared about starting university. The teenagers may seem cocky but most of them are more scared than you are!

Lokolo

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Most people are scared about starting university. The teenagers may seem cocky but most of them are more scared than you are!

I wasn't, I couldn't wait to get out of my own house!

But then again I do spend most of my uni life on here talking to adults

gunsandbanjos

I started my degree in sept as a mature student and i'm loving it!
My big bit of advice is organise yourself properly - i need to write lists of what needs done and when and work methodically through it.
For textbooks - ebay and amazon etc are fab, i have been getting mine at at least half price usually. They are so expensive it can really put a dent in your budget.
Lastly, enjoy yourself, i'm so glad i went back as a mature student - hope you enjoy it as much as i am.

mellymeep

Just accept that you're never going to have enough money!!

Rikki

Lokolo wrote: »

I wasn't, I couldn't wait to get out of my own house!

But then again I do spend most of my uni life on here talking to adults

You know we make sense.

lrr_2

Im in the same boat as you

Mid thirties starting uni hopefully in september as long as I pass my HNC

I have the added fun of being a female doing Engineering which will probably be full of guys!

I will probably end up being like their surrogate mum!

Wont have a part-time job as I am a single parent and that is enough work on its own.

The joy of having no money!!!!!!!!

But worth it!!! (I hope!)

squirrelchops

Hi there,

I am in my 30s and a second year student.

Our class of 40 has a real mix of ages from mid 50s to 18! Everyone rubs along together. We often find the younger students ask the mature students things like relating to their previous work....for example my friend was a nurse so is forever getting 'can you have a look at this' queries! Think this is because those students who are living away from home need a bit of reassurance...as we all do!

However, us 'older' students can usually be found asking the younger ones about technology or how to do x, y,z with the computer or about student services etc.

We all support each other and all bring different expereinces to the course.