38 and going to Uni!

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

DiseasedBunny said:

Look at Rocketbook for note taking, I’m doing my MSc through the ou and it’s a godsend rather than going through reams of paper

Ah i actually already have a Bambook (Exactly the same, just a Norway company) - its fab isnt it! Thanks for the advice though! 

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Thank you again for all the advice. 

My course was paid for yesterday - The start date is next week 

I'm a little scared but I think I'll be fine! 

Its a good idea about the wipeboard for shopping! I'm definitely going to introduce that in my house! I often over cook so I can freeze meals (I've been doing a bit of a health kick so having something healthy in the freezer is always welcome on the days I cannot be bothered to cook!) so I plan just to do an extra plate. I've also been supervising my 14 year old and allowing her to cook her own dinner so that she can fend for her self when she's older, but also so that she can make me something every now and again when I am pushed for time (again, I'll be supervising!) 

scandimore

My OH did a degree part time from home then a masters, both in addition to full time work /family life etc. I can't see that you've described much of your home set up but I know he found a dedicated study space useful, not the bedroom, in addition to a wall planner /decent sized calendar (which he sometimes colour coded with highlighters to plan work, which module to work on on which day etc) and a big whiteboard for him to brainstorm or leave priority notes / to do lists. Binders for each module if you're doing several at once (and if its paper based). And a bluetooth speaker and an aeropress which can make decent coffee quite swiftly. Everyone different though obviously. Good luck!

Voyager2002

becky_rtw said:

Zotero is amazing free software that collates all of your sources into folders and then when you write up essays adds the correct format to the notes and the bibliography (and you can chose Harvard or Cardiff-Harvard). 

Zotero is indeed very useful, but I do prefer the (rather expensive) paid equivalent package called Endnote. See if your university has a site-license for it (or for Procite, a rival product) and spend a bit of time learning how to use it. You will not believe how much time and effort it will save you.

MalMonroe

I went to uni at the age of 50 to do a full time undergraduate course. Graduated at age 53 with a 2.1 BA Hons. It's a wonderful thing to do!

What I would say is if you can find out exactly which books you need you can sometimes get them through the uni or online. Best to get paper versions - and if they are second hand, with no writing in - as you may want to write in them yourself. At first I thought that was sacrilege but it turned out to be a boon.

Also - when it comes to printing things out - you may find you don't need to. Most unis now have portals where you send your essays and assignments electronically. The portal is also where you find reading lists and any instructions from your lecturers. 

My daughter is currently half way through an MA with one of the prestigious unis in the UK and it's all online. She's loving it because even though it's online she's made friends with others on the course and they have skype sessions and zoom sessions and do presentations for class, just like the olden days only electronically.

When we both went to uni we had sessions with library staff at the beginning of our courses about how to reference and how our own universities did referencing and what to do and how. So you shouldn't worry unnecessarily about stuff like that. Or indeed, about anything. When you finally start, you'll find that many students don't even know what day it is, never mind about how to reference!

(One student in my English class asked me what 'halcyon' meant. And mispronounced it. In an English class! I was a bit gobsmacked to be honest.)

Don't worry - you'll be told lots of things and you will not be expected to know most things. Just enjoy the whole experience. It's absolutely fabulous! Best thing of all for you, you're not paying!  Good luck (but you won't need it.)   

Mrs_Ryan

If you’re buying books, Amazon Marketplace is useful. However check the specific editions needed- and check they’re correct before you press buy. 

I would second UNiDAYs- I’ve had some great deals from there. I have an NUS card but I can count on the fingers of one hand how many times I’ve actually used it. 

Oh and don’t forget cake. Cake is the answer to everything 😉

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

So I had a look at the module and there's only really 1 book - I've ordered this from Amazon as its cheaper (correct edition) . Its a CIM course so they also let you view certain books for free online

We don't have uni days - they have TOTUM so I have this 

Start date is tomorrow! Wish me luck! 

(Thanks everyone again for the advice) 

SadieO

Hope your first day went well! OH and I both went back to uni in our 30s and it was amazing. We both got better jobs as a result of it (his directly, mine indirectly) and found it really valuable personally too. We both found that, although it's hard doing uni work around "real life" (I still worked full time while doing my masters) we were actually a lot more motivated than when we did our first degrees at 18. Then, frankly, it was a case of what was the bare minimum we could do around pub visits 

Make sure you are using your uni's resources to their full extent! Library and online journals, software subscriptions etc - don't pay for anything until you have found out if you can get it through them! And should you ever need it they may have things like financial and legal advice, counselling services, disability support etc. Good luck!

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

First day went well! The first lesson in the module is something i do regularly at work currently so it was a nice easy session. 

Thanks again everyone for the advice, i feel much better having done the first session but no doubt ill be back when it comes to essay writing!! 

MoonChild91

If you're doing over 15 hours a week you can also still get a 16-25 railcard as a mature student.