Mature student worries

pollypenny

I'm sure you can do it. My two were 4 & 7. I was 31.

Top_Girl

p-pincher wrote: »

It's really interesting reading everyone's replies.

I've always wanted to study for a degree in English but the OU is the only way I would be able to do it. For the last 2 years I've bottled it at the last minute. After leaving school at 16 with no qualifications it just seems to much. Now with 2 kids and a full time job I'm not sure how I'd fit everything in. Good luck Op x

I studied for and got a degree in English literature through the Open University.


I started aged 26 as a co-habiting mother of one and step-mother of two, all under the age of 6, working three days per week.


I finished aged 32, a single mother of one, working five days per week (although not quite full time).


Definitely do-able, particularly in English lit where so much of the focus is on the actual texts and you can read those between courses.


One of the best things I've ever done, met some of my best friends and my OH through doing it too

nimbo

If your university offer sessions through learning support then take them up on them.

I often went to lunch times sessions on reflection - and referencing. They really helped and even if they only earned me a few extra percent in an assignment well worth it.

My uni also offered one to one sessions - find out who the good support workers are they can be a great help.

pinkshoes

I did a full time PGCE when I was 32 and had a 1 year old.

It was insane, the dissertations were a shock to the system, and I had a 1 hour commute to lectures.

What you need is a supportive husband who will make you cups of tea and do the housework when you spend all evening studying once the kids are in bed!!!

(Or at least one that doesn't moan when they hardly see you!!)

I passed though and enjoying the career change.

What do you intend to do with this degree?

beluga

I've just finished a degree with the OU (pending results!), started back in 2011. My life has changed since then. I started out doing a course for personal interest and to see if I could, then decided to go for the degree. When I started I wasn't working, and had a husband with a good income so no issues there. Now I'm on my own, and the last year I've doubled up my modules to get the degree finished, alongside working three days a week.
Now I'm working full time (and a bit extra!) over the summer before I start an MSc at a brick uni in the autumn. I'm going to have to work as much as i can during it, so am a bit worried about fitting everything in, and about being older than everyone (I'm 34), as well as commuting an hour+ each way. i found the last few months hardest, trying to fit in uni work, work and everything else (learning to drive, doing a work -related course, voluntary work, meetings etc) as well as general life stuff. But it's only for a year...

gunsandbanjos

I went to university when my daughter went to school, it was great, came out with a first class degree in mathematics.

I managed to work part time too, it's definitely doable.

Mrs_Ryan

I'm just about to start my final year with the OU (depending on whether I pass my level 2 courses of course!) I'm 35 and studying full time. I won't lie, I've struggled- I have no children/caring responsibilities and I don't work due to disability. In these last few weeks, I've submitted 2 assignments, one examined one- done in lieu of an exam, and I've then had to revise for GCSE Maths and my uni Literature exam. All the while I was battling with fatigue from a chronic illness and I really struggled.
I have massive admiration for those who juggle kids/jobs etc, personally it's been very difficult as I never know when I'm going to get ill- but I've never once regretted it for a single second- and whatever you want to do is possible when you put your mind to it.
Good luck x

gayleygoo

Both OH and I are studying for degrees with the OU. We have 3 young children, he has a full time job, is learning a new language and does jujitsu. I have my own work-at-home sewing business and a few hobbies. Sometimes the pressure gets to us and we're saying "What the heck are we doing??" but we get through the assignments and it's such a relief when the summer break comes!

I often feel guilty about missing out on time with the children because I've got to study, but in the long run I think our family will benefit and I hope our kids one day see the value of lifelong education. We also make time with each of them and have family time together.

One of the great things about OU is that you can take up to 16 years to complete your degree, if you need it. If at some point life gets in the way and you need a year out, that's fine. Whatever you decide to do OP, good luck with it, I'm sure you won't regret it (much :cool:)

ladymarmalade1970

I went back to Uni when i was 30 years old to do a BSc Hons degree.

At the time i was a single parent to 3 on income support living in a housing association house and also claiming housing benefit.

I was given free tuition and i took out student loans for my living costs.

I had an excellent childminder and the kids father had them for me 2 nights a week.

It was very hard and i wondered at times if it would be worth it but it so was.

Within 18 months of me graduating i had given my house back to the housing association and bought my own house (3 bed Victorian terrace).

Within 2 and a half years i met my partner on match.com. We then bought a house together and kept out old houses to rent out.

That was 16 years ago since i started that degree and it was the BEST thing i ever did. I have never been out of work and now have the lifestyle i always wanted as in nice house, family and holidays at least 4 times a year etc.

Of course the kids are older now so in many ways it's easier. I paid my student loads (22k) off years ago.

Never doubt yourself and it will be worth it.

As a side note my best friends are actually the people i met on my degree so there is that bonus too.

Absolute best of luck and only advice i can give is make sure you have lots of help with the kids and get yourself a good childminder or something.

System

Mrshaworth2b wrote: »

Hello

I'm due to start a degree in September and having been out of education for seven years (not a long long time I know) I'm worried about whether I'm doing the right thing. I have two children/husband/house/part time job and after trying to do my personal statement for UCAS I've had my first easy reminder of how hard this is going to be with family life getting in the way.

So I'm on here to ask if there are any fellow mature students who can share their successes with me to help me feel less overwhelmed. I know I want to do this degree and I know it'll help me get to where I want to go but I'm worried I'll struggle to balance everything I guess.

Thanks in advance.

Yes, a relative did a degree while working and bringing up a child. It was tough, money was tight and she needed to rely a lot on friends and family to babysit while she travelled to London for her classes.

In order to succeed you will need to be determined to put your degree first or you will end up with a lot of student debt and nothing to show for it.