Mature students - how old were you?

susiesue_2

hi
i was 35 when i graduated from uni. i started out doing an acess course and went on from there, i wasn't one of the old ones either. i regularly meet up with a girl who had left school from a-levels.(23) and she is a good friend now. myself, another older (not old) girl and a 22yr boy old also used to regualry go out on the town. age DOES NOT MATTER!!!
im a podiatrist now and i can't tell you how many old boys and girl (90yrs+) i treat and tell me im only a baby, and to live EVERY DAY. you can't let your age be an excuse for anything. one old dear said to me "the only regrets you should havein life are for the things you never did "

go for it,

Running_Horse

I started at 34 and graduated at 40. I loved the course, but hated it when we were moved out of our initial mature group to mix with younger students. We all overheard remarks moaning about older students spoiling their university, and as a part timer never really benefited from the social side of things. Many dull middle class students just see it as a way of leaving home and partying. Having said that you should go for it if you want, but there is a high dropout rate so you have to be determined.

seven-day-weekend

I started my degree in 1984 when I was 34 and was 37 when I finished; there were many mature students including a man in his 50s.

I did not however go back to work full-time until I was 46 (by choice).

I have been 'retired' for five years but am now at the age of 59 awaiting an interview.

Go for it!

pollypenny

I started my degree at 31. There were a whole group of us, mainly women who had good A-levels, but hadn't gone straight to uni for various reasons.

I would have started earlier if there were children care facilities as there are now.

Go for it! You won't be the oldest or alone in your 30s.

tandraig

my brother did his honours degree in communications starting at age forty and graduating at forty-three. went to the grad ceremony and although a lot of them were youngsters there were a sizeable contingent of mature students. (btw the biggest cheer was reserved for the oldest (at i think around 75) grad whom everyone appeared to know!!!

carolinosourus

My aunt's going back to uni this year and she's in her 50s.

I did a BSc in psychology for my first degree and there was a chap there who was in 60s or 70s. My beautician while I was in Bangor was doing criminology part-time and she must have been in her 40s.

University isn't just for youngsters any more! Though I would recommend that maybe you didn't live in halls if you think that the majority of young students of today don't swear and drink and smoke and won't get smashed and vomit in front of your door then not clean it up... it's just such a wonderful time! In fact, I'm going out tonight and one of my friends texted me and said that it was so much easier organising things when we were at school and uni as we were all close to each other (in terms of distance, emotionally we're still close )

sunday_girl

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I have actually been to uni and got a degree from the first time around (seems a long time ago now) and back then mature students seemed like another species to me! Unfortunately my degree choice in hindsight was a mistake and I've always wished I had done something more vocational but felt it was too late but am just beginning to realise that perhaps it isn't. I def won't be living in halls as i am married with 3 kids so I don't have to worry about people vomiting on my doorstep (I hope!). I'm pretty sure I am going to go for it as long as the course is what I want to do - quite excited actually - can't wait for the open day!

skintstudentnurse

I started my degree at 29 and will qualify next year aged 32, loads of students in my cohort are late twenties,thirties and forties. Don't worry,you'll be fine:beer: