future Mature Student - don't know where to start!

Gingernutmeg

Glad I could help The open days at Roehampton are good, although of course you only see the best bits of the uni lol. The mature student events are just the same really, they just speak LOUDER and s-l-o-w-e-r for us oldies ...

I know what you mean about it just being handed to you if you go straight from school - when I think back to the trouble I had just getting a suitable reference, let alone any sensible advice it amazes me that I ever ended up at uni. The internet is great, and don't be afraid to call up universities and ask for advice, although be prepared to have to be persistent, no uni has admin as a strong point! Visiting universities is a good idea too, it helps to get a feel for a place and sometimes you just know that a place isn't right for you, even if it is academically notable. Also don't just go off the league tables - try to find out about the reputations of the individual departments. Sometimes individual departments in 'lower ranked' universities can be world class, it really depends on the staff and their interests and links. Look at the modules on offer too, whether they fit with what you're after, or whether you can tailor the course to meet your own interests and requirements.

Wiggynut

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

Glad I could help The open days at Roehampton are good, although of course you only see the best bits of the uni lol. The mature student events are just the same really, they just speak LOUDER and s-l-o-w-e-r for us oldies ... :rotfl:

I know what you mean about it just being handed to you if you go straight from school - when I think back to the trouble I had just getting a suitable reference, let alone any sensible advice it amazes me that I ever ended up at quote]

Reference????
Could get work references... do you need any others?

League tables... didn't even think of that. Obviously don't want the worst but I do think it's up to me to teach myself and the Uni hopefully supports and has the tutors to help point the way! If that makes sense.

I left school at 15 with one O Level so I took some extra classes a few years later to bring it up to 5 O Levels - didn't realise I could have taken A levels then! and the kids who went straight from school did nothing... didn't join in - just the occassional grunt! They didn't turn up for the assignments - one was a photographic story line - only two mature students turned up (one being me!) and the whole class got graded on it which is wrong!

I actually want to go to learn something for me!

I've not decided with OU taster course to do yet (open day soon with the OU so might go to that one and ask) but will make sure I have the money on payday! Oooh... finally taking steps in a direction and not faffing about going brain dead :eek: :j

Gingernutmeg

Wiggynut wrote: »

Reference????
Could get work references... do you need any others?

You'll need a reference for the UCAS form. A work reference from an employer will be absolutely fine, I believe that you can get guidelines for your referee on the kinds of things universities like to see in references. I had trouble because I'd left school a number of years before I applied to uni, and had been working in the family business for quite some time. I was the one who wrote references for other people lol, so I couldn't write my own! I eventually managed to get one from our business mentor, but it was such a hassle!

However, it's not something to worry about. Universities are much more flexible when it comes to mature students and they understand that you're not going to have the same kind of application as the average 18 yr old.

princesslizzie

I vote Roe cos I'm a student there

PasturesNew

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

'

it's impossible to find the info unless you 'know' the system and of course you don't if you've been out of education!!

Hear hear.

This is the problem... finding ANYTHING out unless you know a system. Or even know a system/it exists!

I, for example, am reading this thread as I would like to go do a degree at Uni - and I have NO idea whatsoever how one would even find out where to go, what can be done etc to even start choosing what to do.

And, later in life, there's the whole "if I do this, is there any point if I am doing it to get a better job/more money because .... what are the best subjects to achieve this at my age in my location". No point doing it if you've chosen the wrong subject to start with.

There's no careers advice available. I've never had any. Never had a career either. Yet.

pulliptears

Just wanted to say, go for it!

I went back last year at 32 and did A Level fine art, my plan was to do my Fine Art degree, but it soon became apparent I was much more suited to Graphics. I passed the A Level and was offered a place on a Graphic Design Degree.

Started 3 weeks ago and Im loving it. Its hard work, 2 kids age 10 and 14, a husband and Im my Dad's carer as well. But to be honest I dont know what I did before I had this in my life.

Ive made lots of new friends, my life is just so different. Im lucky in the fact OH supports me in this, I dont have time for a part time job with everything else going on.

I got sick of jobs and needed a career

crazyjeyesy

I'm a mature student (34) at the University of Hertfordshire (doing an honours degree in Humanities...subjects: Journalism/English Language/Creative Writing/Philosophy....just starting my 3rd and final year). I actually discovered moneysavingexpert.com through a link on the university website!

I would say definately go for it - best thing I ever did. And I'd recommend doing the full experience (live in halls etc.) It's not just about the degree - it's a life experience and will make you a better, more rounded person.

Being around younger people helps keep you young too. I'm living with 3 trainee nurses aged 20, 21 and 26. It's great! Well apart from one of them (the 21 year old) was my girlfriend and we split up a month ago which makes things a little awkward!

Anyway, go for it. You'll regret it if you don't!

Wiggynut

cool... thanks for the feedback!

I'm glad that I've made a decision even though I'm worried I'll back out... such a wuss! :rolleyes: but it's about time I take myself seriously and dreams are not just for kids (wasn't brought up with dreams or with the concept that I was good at anything! yet why were people jealous and got asked to train up graduates if I was so rubbish - yet got paid so little compared!!!!???? :mad:)

Don't have kids or family (or support!?!?!) so no excuse and can't face working for another 20 years and not taken seriously... want to experience something new and learn for the first time in my life... with people who share my interests ie: someone teaching me rather than trying to figure out everything myself and wondering if I've got it wrong!

Actually, a friend told me to contact the local education authority which was Southwark (south London) and they told me to talk to my college adviser despite me telling them that I left school at 15.. and now in my 30's!!!?!??!?!? (must stop using exclamation marks before going to Uni!!!!!!!!!!:rolleyes:) they then asked me why I was contacting them... well.. to get advice as to what to do...errrr... they told me to call Learn direct so I will... guess I'll get more sense out of them. The person who I spoke to sounded like they were about 18. She even read my email back to me which explained that I'm not at college and need to know what I should do to got to Uni! hmm... maybe I'm actually not stupid then!

Pasturesnew: I've not really had a career... (as soon as they find out I didn't go to Uni (they assume! sign of intelligence eh!) they then treat me with contempt????) I've tried but I'm not taken seriously as I've done rubbish jobs in between of good 'career' jobs ... why is it 'they' say if you have lots of experience of different jobs = good, but yet in practice they think you are not serious and do a rubbish job???? I work hard in a job because that's why you are there.. what's the point of spending the day doing nothing??? sometimes I can't get work yet I have lots of experience doing admin jobs and graphics jobs (10 years in both & PA level (rather shoot myself now than do that again!) yet they don't want me as I've done both???? doesn't that mean I can do a lot more than someone who has only done one? it means I'm flexible and can help out wherever when needed? which I usually do - I've worked in several departments in different jobs when needed but still get paid less and skipped promotion and pay rises (does that mean I'm rubbish???? yet asked to train others????) It doesn't help the little old ego

I want to go to Uni for the experience and ego boost.. knowing that I can do what others do and I'm not stupid which I was told since I was a small child (family very abusive), I know I can work well (takes some convincing in myself !) but I'm someone who doesn't make (too) many assumptions and likes to question things which isn't allowed anymore in society and makes me sound stupid... but who does knows everything anyway??
If I find out the route to Uni I'lll post it up for us oldies ... I've signed up to the UCAS site so far but need to write up (essay :eek:) as to why I want to study and a detailed CV (I'm so used to not selling myself that I practically back pedal on my skills!)

Excellent tuliptears! so much work... talk about testing yourself!! fine art... I would love to be able to create art! you have a lot work to do and stress yet able to express yourself... that's so cool. I will not have those type of stresses (ie: children and being a carerer... talk about juggling) so should be easy for me! I'm just had a few years feeling rather weak and stupid and need to pick myself up (no support and I've just traced my twin who is soooo successful ... talk about chalk and cheese eh! we were brought up very different but I feel rather embarrassed about myself - it's only been a week and only talked twice so early days). I've worked 20 years and got paid so much less than others for doing more work (I'm really not trying to put myself above others who worked hard and I'm not boasting) I can't face spending my life doing this.. I live in bedsits/studios - with no security (yet cost more than my friends with houses???? landlords sell suddenly and I have to move - no security & no time to think or safety - I've moved more than 65 times - more than 30+ by time I was 15 - guess it affected me more than my twin!?).

I want interest and a point to my life... paying the rent isn't a reason to get up in the morning!

Crazyjeresy: Not sure I want to live in halls... I always seem to be a magnet to spoilt kids who want someone to mother them! (ironic!) I'm hoping that there are house shares with other mature students (I read something on the website of the Uni I'm hoping to go to - apparently they try to fit certain ages together ... yay! Hope they don't' go by physical age over mental age )

I booked a open day at Roehampton, as Gingernutmeg pointed me in that direction.. but they only do Photography.. I've since seen the London Metropolitan Uni that does Digital Media (booked open day on 20th Oct) - I'm a photographic Retoucher (self trained) and want to expand on that and further... graphics... web (ug... I know soooo many people do that but it can be taken further... ie design and work for myself!) I mostly want to study for self esteem (Major area to work on ) confidence (same thing????) gather any missing info that I've not been taught (actually I've never been trained on anything! yet done training jobs???? why wasn't I trained then??? excuse to pay less???) (arrrgggh less punctuations!) also people skills need major work - I'm rubbish at 'networking' and boasting - soon as someone gives me a compliment I want to run in the other direction! I'm such a wuss... like I said... MAJOR work needed on that .

suppose to get paid today but didn't... day job turning into nightmare so will have to find another job... *sigh* but as soon as I do get paid I will pay for the OU course - help focus and kick brain into gear!

I really don't want to back out of this as I always think this is something for other people not me... ??? why? stupid.. I know that doesn't make sense. but the thought of not doing it really depresses me and I feel scared and excited which is new... I've certainly felt scared before and anxious (crappy past!) but the excited bit is weird! feel a bit stupid - if I got someone in front of me saying all this I would tell them to go for it and you can do it.. but is sooo easy to say this to someone rather than yourself!

blimey... one alcoholic drink and I'm off! :rotfl:best to ignore the student bar then!


sorry to ramble but it's nice to be able to say stupid stuff and no one take the Peee out of it! and you don't know who I am (hopefully:o) feel stupid but yet I know (deep down) that I'm not - ignore the gramma and you will get what I mean :rotfl:

Thanks for your comments... does really help :A

x

Wiggynut

Oh my god... I really did ramble... sorry!

kevinbarry

Definitely go for it! Education is not only interesting in its own right but the bits of paper you earn do help you get a more interesting job and one that is often better paid too.

I too left school at 15 - only had 4 O-levels compared with your 5 - and bummed around, working in an office, a farm, a shop, then joined the army, came out and gigged around as a musician (not a good one!) before finally going back into education and getting a degree. I have never regretted it.

Check out "Mature Students - University Certainly Is For You" at:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977018935

which might help you.

Choosing a course that interests you is essential; sounds like it will be photography-related. Also, working on motivation is important - but it sounds like you already have strong motivation, which is good.