What's it like goin to university as a mature student?

Question

My mate is 24.

Another name for university is melegchoruscoffee - anyone know why?

My mate is 24, but he is thinking of either going next year or the year after.

Another name for university is melegchoruscoffee - anyone know why?

Answer 1

Its okay. I went to university the first time at 18 and now I'm there again as a mature student. You do notice how young everyone else but tutors seem to trust you more and there are other mature students. Its good cause you get to work with a wide variety of people and I have never had any problems.

Answer 2

It's just as hard as a young person goin to uni. Local Education Authorities all go by the same DFES regulations. If your mate is 24 then s/he will have to prove that s/he's supported him/herself for 3 years+ in order to be classed as a mature student if under the age of 25. Otherwise an assesment on parental income will have to be made. Other exceptions are:

1) If both parents have died
2) If the student is estranged from parents
3) If the student has children
4) Student is married, in which case the assement is made on spouse's income. By the way due to the Civil Partnership law, this now includes same sex couples aswell.

Is you mate going this year? If so, then I hope an application for funding has been made. It should have been done ages ago! If it's not until next year then you don't have to apply until the April before you start.

All in all students get the same funding regardless of age (unless the student is over 55) as it is based purely on household income.

Get your mate to contact he/her LEA for more info.
Good Luck

Answer 3

When I went to university in 1991, I was 37 nearly 38. I enjoyed the course somewhat, although it wasn't exactly what I was looking for but there was one other mature student around my age too and we became good friends. Difficult with some of the other students as far as socialising outside classes was concerned though as most were young (18 or so) just out of school/college after A levels and most presumed I wouldn't be interested in parties, socialising etc as I was older than them. By the time it had been discussed and we'd established I would have been had I been asked, it wasn't worth worrying about. :)

Answer 4

i am a mature student of 36 yrs studying architectural technology.there is 32 in the class and 10 of thoose are mature students.There is one guy there and he is in his 50 s.he told me he was interviewd at a different college and he knew after a few minutes that they were not going to give him a place because of his age.we have just completed our first week on friday.We done our first group work during the week which was good just to meet the others in the class.As far as i can see the 10 mature students are very dedicated to their course.Even though the first week was quiet with minimum classes when they were finished the younger ones went home.We all stayed (mature) to practice our sketching.I was quite nervious at first about starting but they are all great and we will all be still here at graduation day !! I have spoken to 2 young students and they are both on their 3 rd attempt of completing a course.So enjoy the course, work hard and make friends.it is the best decision i have made for a long time

Answer 5

I dont know yet. I start my course on the 25th Sept. but i could let you know then if you like. Or your friend should visit his chosen University and have a tour- this way he can speak with other mature students. erm, he could go to th Uni's website and ask questions to mature students. and lastly, when he joins the uni. he could join different socities/clubs. it is most likely there will be a society for mature students. he will be fine...

Answer 6

speaking as a mature student myself, its not that bad. you'll be with people of other ages, races, with different interests and career aspirations. yes we all have different career options but with the students on my course we all study the same subject. the students are very friendly and helpful, well its nothing like school where the kids pick on you and all that.

at first, i expect university to be a different kettle of fish to school and university, but in fact its not that different from being at college. students have their reasons for going to university: for me i decided to go because i wanted to gain a degree and study a subject i have a passion and interest towards. back when i was a teenager, i hated school and alas i lost interest in studying but when i went to college and university boy was i surprised! and yet, i really enjoy my time being a student and studying media.

depending on how you look at it, i left school at 16 with no qualifcations and by then everyone was telling me that there was no way i'd end up at university. my parents were and are so narrow-minded: as to them they see studying and education as a young persons thing. young as in teenagers and not people 25 and over. do i feel hurt by that? of course i am but i knew for sure that going to university was my only chance of obtaining not just a degree but a well paid job. even if it was going to cost me a lot of money, it would still be worth it. next year, i'll be graduating at the age of 26. alas it will ten years since i left school at 16 with no GCSEs, no nothing- and yet at 26 i'd be hopefully smiling and attending the graduation ceremony by the summer of next july.

therefore, all i can say to you is don't worry about it. if there is hope for me, then there will be hope for you as well. just believe in yourself and your ability, do well and focus on your studies and you'll be fine.

Answer 7

Its the same as going to college as an imature student, just less parties and stupidity.

Answer 8

i went back aged 34, to do photography and fine art, it was great except for the fact i knew as much as the tutor, and i ended up babysitting the classes...

of course i passed, but i didnt appreciate the way i was treated...

Answer 9

i dont know, im starting next week. doing a degree in nursing as a mature student so i'll let you know! wish me luck.

Answer 10

Do it only if you are serious about learning. But if you were you would not be asking. You would go.