Going to university in your 30s :o

GothicGhost

GothicGhost

GothicGhost

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I feel a bit old starting university in about two weeks being 34.

I suffer from dyslexia and struggle with doing courses, always been put off doing anything like this before but I need a different/better job because of health issues now.

Most probably will be the oldest student on my course lol.
 
GothicGhost said:
I feel a bit old starting university in about two weeks being 34.

I suffer from dyslexia and struggle with doing courses, always been put off doing anything like this before but I need a different/better job because of health issues now.

Most probably will be the oldest student on my course lol.
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You may be but when i did my LPC there was a old lady who was in retirement age, she would fall asleep in every lecture and snores.

It's hard to beat that!
 
If it's any consolation, I started a degree in medicine last year and I'm three years older than you. Also, I'm not the oldest in the class. We have a few people with dyslexia as well. What are you studying?
 
When I was at uni there was a guy older than you in our group of mates who was spot on and you will have a great time. Being more mature is an advantage and good luck with the course. Don't be afraid to visit the library and access all the recommended materials and learn your chosen subject inside out. Best of luck.
 
You might be the oldest person on the course, but so what? You'll probably find that you generally won't fancy doing the same things outside of studying that most of the 18 year olds fancy doing, but that won't be any different to not being on the course.

Students in their 30s aren't so rare as to be downright weird. There will be others at the university. You won't be all that unusual. It would probably be worth asking the uni about anything specific they have for mature students and for students with dyslexia, but neither should be a dealbreaker.
 
You'll probably be one of the oldest if it is an undergrad course, you do sometimes get the odd silver haired undergrad or two though so you might still find yourself being the second or third oldest.

If it is an MSc or PhD then you might be surprised, can often be a much wider age range. Not uncommon at all to say take a year out of work and pursue an MSc to help with career progression or a career change. You might well find several people of a similar age/background to yourself.

You'll probably also find that it doesn't matter too much whether your fellow students are 25 or 35, if they've had a bit of work experience and are doing the MSc/PhD for similar reasons then they're probably going to have a lot more in common with you than with some 18 yr olds straight out of school. (Same probably applies to undergrad too if there are any "mature" students in their 20s)
 
I went to unit at 21 but shared a house with a wicked girl - she was 34 and was the life and soul of parties. Nobody batted an eye lid.

Nothing wrong with it - have a great time and get a good group of friends behind you - they will be as important to you as the lectures.

The great thing for you is that being that bit older, you will likely find studying easier than some of the younger crowd lol
 
As others have said it won't be an issue. When you're out and about campus people will probably assumed you're post grad anyway. 34 isn't that old. My gf is turning 32 next month and we regularly hang about on campus and it feels like a natural environment.

If anything we're the ones looking down on the new wet behind the ears Freshers. Some of them look like they've never shaved and are a bit naive to say the least. Life experience is a big benifit to uni life.
 
You'll be surprised at the number oldies at university. I'm 35 and 3 years into my chemical engineering degree. I know a couple of people with dyslexia too and they get a lot of help from the university so don't let that deter you.
 
We had a few mature students on my CS course between 30-50.
Quiet, always heads down & worked hard.

I never saw anyone give them grief but it was a course full of nerds.
 
I started at almost 30. Enjoy every minute, I did. Still enjoying it 20+ years later.

Make full use of any support on offer especially if you've been away from education for a while. And try to forget you are older. :)

Good luck
 
Dis86 said:
Might be a daft one but are you entirely self funded?
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No, the course is fully funded by Student Finance England. They were offering loans to people who wanted to study health care related subjects, regardless of age but obviously dependent upon prior qualifications and experience.
 
GothicGhost said:
I feel a bit old starting university in about two weeks being 34.

I suffer from dyslexia and struggle with doing courses, always been put off doing anything like this before but I need a different/better job because of health issues now.

Most probably will be the oldest student on my course lol.
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Don't care about your old excuses.

Good going lad, get in there and do yourself proud.

Age is a number, work hard and come out with a decent grade. No doubt dyslexia will make it a pain writing essays but if you take your time and start them well in advance you will be ok.
 
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