Has anyone gone to college or uni as a mature student?

I enrolled at college on Friday to do an access to uni course and have my first lesson on Tuesday and i am sooooooo excited!!! I cannot wait to apply for uni, i want to do either Nursing or Physiotherapy. I've had a **** year, lost 2 grandparents, a dog and a cat, and didnt get a job i really wanted so i am so excited that it's finally starting to look a bit brighter and i just wanted to know if anyone else has done an access to uni course after being in work, i am 23 so feel although i will be 24 by the time i get to uni and a bit older than many i think that this will benefit me and feel really good about it, have you or anyone u know done a similar course, how did u find it?

My cousin did an Access course when she was in her mid to late 40's (so you're just a youngster!), and then went straight on to Uni; she graduated at the age of 50! She found it an amazing experience and enjoyed every minute of it. I returned to college on a one-year full-time course (not Access) at the age of 36; the class was made-up of students from the age of 20 to 42 and although it was very intensive and meant hard work, I loved every minute of it - felt like a teenager again, as we all got on so well! Following successful completion of the course, I obtained a job as a PA straight away. Not only was it enjoyable, the whole experience boosted my confidence and opened new horizons. Good luck for a successful and fulfilled future!

yes i went back to college a few years back, it was cool had so much fun, i think i may go do another course in the near future..

have fun

Got my degree when I was 36 - best thing I ever did.

I started college when I was 24 and i was really scared that I was going to be the oldest in my class. It turned out there were a lot of people my age and older - the oldest was nearly 50 so i was ok!

It helped me gain a lot of confidence and i am now in my final year of college and hope to go on to university!!

I am not going to uni because i feel i am too old for the social scene (i am doing an open uni degree instead) but that doesnt mean that its not right for you!!!

most mature students (all ages from 21 to 80plus) say they had a fantastic time and that they think its the best thing they have ever done

You have no need to worry whatsoever. Loads of mature students even ones double your age and over at attenting uni. I started last Monday September 10th myself and I am in my forties. I was actually surprised at the large number of mature students that do attend uni. I am doing a Business Adminstrative Management Course. So far I am still trying to get into the swing of things. It will take a while but it is going alright so far. Good luck and I hope everything goes well for you.

I did an access to humanities course and it changed my life.

It wasn't that i went off and got a fantastic job or anything like that...it was that i started to think differently when i realised that philosophy is the most important process we ever go through.

Also the essay writing skills are something I still use everyday.

Trust me, you won't be half as old as some. I started a nursing degree at Uni when I was 38 and I wan't the oldest by a long way. Go for it and good luck - it changed my life.

that is not too old,there will be plenty people your age and older!

Yes! I did an Access course and then went to Uni at 24! I enrolled after having a really bad couple of years and feeling I was going nowhere! I am now in a job I love earning more than I ever would have before!

You will find you are probably one of the youngest on the course, especially if it is a health related Access course!

Have fun! You will LOVE University!

I`m 43 and started an Access course when I was 39 and found it very interesting to say the least. As you haven`t been away from an educational setting for as long as myself you will find it all quite familiar. Keep one eye on time management with respect to assignments as it can get quite hectic at times. Access courses are good for giving many individuals the opportunity of entering H.E. and give a taster of uni standards. You will be surprised when you do the rounds of uni open days as you will find out that you most certainly wont feel "older than many". Don`t get pulled in by the "we`ve got 3 assignments due in the next 2 weeks" syndrome, 500 words a night is easily achievable. You`ll make many friends, some will fall by the wayside on the way whilst others will become long term friends. I`m currently due to start my third year at uni studying Maths and Education Studes and the Access course I done was of great help. All I can do is wish you good luck for your Access course and hope you get your place at uni.

Well I started my nurse training back in '93 when I was about 32, so definitely mature. Our group was good mix of ages between young' uns and old uns, and we got on pretty well. I started with an access course and met one of my closest friends during that time and we went on to qualify in '96. I'll admit having been out of school a while it felt a bit scary, the idea of doing course work etc. Particularly for the Access course which was a much needed refresher to academia.

I think at 23 you will find you're by no means the eldest and honestly, you'll probably be one of the youngest. It's a good age as you have gained some life experience already, and your sad losses mean that you will also have strong empathy with the losses of others, which in nursing you will come across.

I hope you enjoy your Uni life, I'm sure you'll do well. I know it's been the best choice I ever made, even now when things are so much more uncertain. In nursing you'll find a wide variety of fields to specialise in once you qualify, and if you opt for physiotherapy then there is more opportunity now to get into private & commercial sectors as well as the NHS. It is a tough life, demanding, stressful, upsetting at times. But it is also hugely rewarding, you will hopefully see many more people benefit from care you and your team provided, than you will ever see "fail." Remember keep up a social life as well as your studies, friends are very important, good luck!

Kuta, xx

congratulations on deciding to go to college. it is a good choice i am sure.

as for being a "mature" student, that is a definate plus.

less than 50% of all freshman who start a university finish it. the greatest attrition comes during the freshman year. kids drop like flies.

why? because most of the kids are 18 years old, aren't prepared academically. and most importantly, are simply too immature to handle living and studying on their own. they are overwhelmed and make really bad choices in time management. they usually don't study everyday and then have to suddenly cram in months worth of material in a few days.

that is a recipe for failue.

also, too many freshman simply are in college because they don't know what else to do after HS, and not because they have a clear idea what they want there.

since you are 23.9, it is likely that you are going to school since you NOW have focus, desire, and direction. that increases your odds of finishing dramatically.

i am hoping also that you know how to manage your time and will place studying at the TOP of your "to do" list pretty often.

finally, nowadays there are many, many, many students who are classified as "non-traditional." and many profs will tell you that in general that group does a lot better than most of the traditional HS-to-university students.

good luck to you. you will do well if you focus and work hard.

I did a bit of an access course. Started in January and only did a few of the classes but I really enjoyed it and it's what the unis all ask for. Now going into my second year at uni with more than ten years on you and despite being a lot older than my classmates I'm really enjoying it. The access course was far better than I ever expected. Go on, feel good, cause it's only gonna get better.

i am just about to start my final year at the age of 35. im doing a nursing degree. most unis will offer support while you do your training and there are many financial benefits like paying no council tax. being computer literate helps and to allow time for that study. im having a ball and think its the best thing i have ever done. wish you luck.