Any over 40's starting in Sept?

lilylarkin

Hi all, I see all these threads from people in their late twenties worried about the fact that they will be around 18 years olds. How about the over 40's? I'm 43 and going to UCD in Sept. Am absolutely head wrecked about it at the moment, worrying that I wont apply myself, worried that I wont fit in, worried about being older than these kids' parents............worried, worried, worried.......

Would love to shoot the breeze with any other over 40's facing into 3-4 years of study too............

mrmac

Hi lilylarkin, I'm 41, and heading into a 4 year Hon.Deg, starting September - I can't wait!
In my head, I've already done the hard part, which was deciding to fill in the CAO form to begin with! (Being made redundant, last October, also helped!)

For me, this is going to mean a complete career change. It's only taken me 20 years of working in the engineering sector, to figure out that's not what I want to be doing!

I've done the 80 hour weeks, I've done the zero holidays, and if you get a break - you take work with you, I've done the impossible deadlines, I've done the stress filled, sleepless nights - what can college throw at me that's any worse than that?

Plus, I have a 14 year old, smart-ar*e daughter, who thinks she's super-cool, but in reality is laughable - I imagine I'll come across a lot of that in third level too!

I wish you the very best in your studies, take the time to enjoy this opportunity, and remember the wisedom of a legendary poet ......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mACqcZZwG0k

lilylarkin

Mrmac, what course are you doing? Are you changing career from the Engineering? I'm doing Engineering in UCD eventhough Ive been in Construction for last 20 years but intending to study a new discipline of Engineering, possible bioprocess or electrical, or energy. I get to study them all in first year and then specialise after that. Dont think i'l ever go back into industry though. I hope to go into Academia, research or lecturing. Would love to know what your new/intended career path is.....

dratsab.live

I will be nearly 39 starting college for the first time this sept. Yeah, I'm worried about what is ahead but I also know I don't want more of what's behind me. I have a 19 ,10 ,and a soon to be 4 year old. I know it's gonna be tough getting the college work done and keeping the family running smoothly but I plan to just focus on 1 semester at a time and pray I get through it without too much disaster :0) Oh and having done the whole hectic social life years ago when I was in my early 20's, life is a little quieter so I will be more focused on study than socialising (I hope ;0) )

Agent_99

Starting 4 years Hon Deg this year and am the ripe old age of 41, Looking forward to the challenge studying Food and Health Science in UL. All going well I will be doing my Finals the same year as my eldest is doing his Jnr Cert.

drunk_monk

I'm 41 and starting a science degree in comuter systems management in IT Carlow. It's scary to think I'm going back into education at this point in my life but also very exciting and I'm looking forward to September

setanta159

I have just completed a masters and turned 44 a few days ago. It was possibly the best decision I have made in a long time and an extremely enjoyable experience. After a 20 plus year break from college I was bricking it beforehand, like many of you guys I bet. Don't become overly anxious. I am sure that you will all enjoy the experience. I enjoyed mine so much that I'm contemplating a PhD at this point...another 3-4 years!

gerardduff

It's a pretty daunting feeling starting anything new. I get a queazy feeling going back into work after a week away, that's not so bad, I know people who have a panic attack every Sunday evening.:eek:

You shouldn't worry about fitting in. Maybe it is inevitable that you'll worry but you should remember that Uni's are places for grown-ups. People who can string a sentence together if they have to and have some life experience to draw on.

Some people go to Uni for experience, that's good too but ultimately the life of a student is about passing exams. Everything else is by the way. In my experience it takes students a long time to figure that out, sometimes too long and then it's too late. Get involved a little bit, as mush as you are comfortable with. Maybe take up one new thing on campus that's extra curricular as that is a good way of meeting people in subsequent years.

Anytime you're feeling anxious you should remember your goals and the reasons you're there in the first place.

I think Mick Wallace talks sense about most things. Coming from the same background as yourself, had the right mindset when he was in college. I remember in an interview he explained how he was more interested in learning how to learn rather than the content of his particular course. That's the big lesson that's lost by most students. Studying is a skill that can be developed and some are better at it than others. But don't forget about your course content.

It's a big adventure. Hopefully you'll have fun.

bette

gerardduff wrote: »

Some people go to Uni for experience, that's good too but ultimately the life of a student is about passing exams. Everything else is by the way. In my experience it takes students a long time to figure that out, sometimes too long and then it's too late. Get involved a little bit, as mush as you are comfortable with. Maybe take up one new thing on campus that's extra curricular as that is a good way of meeting people in subsequent years.

Dear me what a comment! The life of a student is about learning! The objective is to learn and for that matter it does not even require attendance in a classroom!

Now passing exams is another story. That's all about cramming and remembering stuff without necessarily understanding what one would be writing on the exam paper.

Now, if with this piece of paper you can go on to greater things it would be a worthwhile adventure but sadly there are far too many college educated square pegs in round holes who are not capable of having their own thoughts.

superbad50

congratulation's lads on deciding to return to college. I am not as old as you all but will be heading back myself for a 4 year honour degree course . I am 31 and have more or less gave up looking for work. I too am worried about the fitting in , the studying but what the hell - It;s what you make of the experience that will decide your path . best of luck to you all.

dyrcona

I can't wait for September to come! I'm doing my degree in the evening, part-time, and it's the best time I've ever had! I don't know how I would have 'survived' a separation without it; I still think UCD kept my sanity intact. Of course, in the past four years I had stressful times with essay deadlines, but had to hide them when my teenager kids told me they would not go to university, seeing me so stressed! I haven't had much of a social life with my class mates, but it's not easy working full time, and the house and the kids... Besides, what I would really love is to keep talking about the subjects but, at the end of the day, everybody is tired and wants to go home.

MaMAme

Hi There, I don't meet your criteria of a 4 yr course, but I just turned 50 & will be doing a masters in Sept. Like soneone else said, for me the hardest part was filling out & posting the application. That's not to imply that I don't feel panic at times, I do! I have to get somewhere to stay whihe doing it, probably student accommodation, can you imagine???This is part of a plan to change carreer too. Best of luck.

looksee

I was 47 going to college for the first time, I loved it, and now I'm teaching. Good luck to you all.

MaMAme

looksee wrote: »

I was 47 going to college for the first time, I loved it, and now I'm teaching. Good luck to you all.

I was just thinking I must be mad, at 50, doing masters, hoping to start new career. Most of the Matures seem around 25.
I hope you don't mind my asking, but did you have to rent accommodation? The college I will be attending is in Cork, I live in Galway so need to. Thing is the nearest & most reasonable is student accommodation. What was your experience in this area like?

looksee

No, I was able to go from home, I don't think I could have done it otherwise. As to accommodation in Cork. I think there is some specific accommodation for Masters students, you would need to enquire pretty soon.

I don't think you would be all that satisfied with student accommodation otherwise, it is all four or more to a flat with a separate small room and a communal kitchen. My daughter was in several of them in Cork, and they were ok but not great. The one on campus was ok but very expensive. Have a look at the accommodation thread in Edu.

You could possibly rent a decent house and sub let to masters students that you could cope with, it means you have to manage the house, but shouldn't be a real problem. You would have a better chance than the younger students especially if you were willing to take a year lease, rather than 9 months.

2ndchance

Hi just wondering how everyone on this thread is doing now that you are in college. Is it better/ worse/ harder than you expected? I'm hoping to get a place for this sept by which time I'll be 43 with 2 kids in college, 1 doing junior cert and 1 in senior infants. Am I mad or brave... I can't decide!

lilylarkin

2nd chance, you are mad AND brave. It is a brave thing to do and even braver to stick at it. I have just started 2nd semester and it was a lot tougher than i expected. The material was and still is very challenging (Engineering) and the workload is heavy. However, Eng has that reputation and it isn't more difficult for me than the other students.
Having said all that I wouldnt change a minute of it and am glad I grasped the chance to do it and with grit and determination I will see it through to the end. One of my fellow mature students also has 2 kids in College, one in UCD where he is studying himself. He is in his fifties.
The students themselves are all very positive and really nice kids. I must stop calling them 'kids' or il get a clatter. You meet people of ALL ages. Lecturers are more interested in you as you are mature and older than some of them!. A lot of people want to know your story and what led you to college.
It is a whole new world, a new way of thinking, talking and working. Go for it, embrace it and above all ENJOY it!

2ndchance

Thanks for replying lilylarkin. Sounds pretty much what I expected. I'm under no illusions it will be easy but I have to do it, I have wanted to for so long. I'm sure there will be times when I'm tearing my hair out but have to just get to the end. Best of luck with engineering, that's a big one to take on! I'm hoping to do English if I get a place that is. Thanks again

Long Term Louth

2ndchance wrote: »

Hi just wondering how everyone on this thread is doing now that you are in college. Is it better/ worse/ harder than you expected? I'm hoping to get a place for this sept by which time I'll be 43 with 2 kids in college, 1 doing junior cert and 1 in senior infants. Am I mad or brave... I can't decide!

Hi,

I am 43, two kids one senior infant one fourth, just started 2nd year in St Pat's. Drumcondra. Tough going, but really enjoyable. Best of luck with your pursuit.

2ndchance

Best of luck Long Term Louth, glad it's going well. It's good to hear it can be done!

The Paws

Hi all!

I went back to college to do a science degree when I was late 20s - I am in 4th year now and it was worth it - believe me. At first - I didnt want anyone to know!! But slowly I found out that there are people like you going back to college due to losing the job (me) or dislike the job or little money etc...including the people I went to school with. I may not be 40+ like you but it is the same applies to everyone once they are over 25.

Of course there will be students a lot younger than most of us here - (I am the oldest in the class beside the lectures!! but so what!) but you wont be be with them 100% if that was what you were thinking - we had a once off group project when we were first year - I was like o m g! but the reason it was done is to get to know the other students and it helps you to see what you are good at etc. After that we mostly on our own - I often ask the other students what to do with essay/homework etc - they were alway happy to help.

All of the students are really nice - they all say hi, how are things etc even though we are so different eg social side - I dont go out as much as them now eg they go clubbing alot which is totally not my thing! - late bar is purrfect (once every now and again) !!

Anyway sorry back to the subject - the main thing is stop worrying !!- just remember we all have one thing in common - we all going to college to study further education!!

The younger students might find it very strange when mixing with mature students at first especially when they were straight in after leaving cert (same age 17-19years) then suddenly mixing with 20 years and older ... but they get used to it quickly. We are kinda the same thing but kind of the other way round if you get what I am trying to say.

Best of luck - just apply the CAO now!(or PAC for those who have a degree etc)
......now no more thinking!, stop worrying, stop thinking about what your brother/children/neice etc will think, no more maybe etc... just do it!! you can always change your mind later on so apply now and you have nothing to loose.


Right I must get back to study! :cool:

Nettles

2ndchance wrote: »

Hi just wondering how everyone on this thread is doing now that you are in college. Is it better/ worse/ harder than you expected? I'm hoping to get a place for this sept by which time I'll be 43 with 2 kids in college, 1 doing junior cert and 1 in senior infants. Am I mad or brave... I can't decide!

Not quite in my 40's, 39 this year, 4 kids all in school oldest 5th year and youngest jnr infants! I'mdoing my masters after a 3 yr degree and hoping to progress to a Phd! I won't lie it's hard work, lots of late nights and panic, but it's really worth it, and the 3 years goes by in a flash. The feeling of being your own person after being just a 'mom' is brilliant. Wishing all the brave souls starting out the best of luck. Seek out other matures because the suppport is great.

2ndchance

Thanks everyone. Now that I've made the decision to go, I just want to get on and get a place (easier said than done at the moment apparently) but I'm going to give it my best shot. Would love to be on here next year, half way through first year, encouraging others to go for it!

Larianne

2ndchance wrote: »

Thanks everyone. Now that I've made the decision to go, I just want to get on and get a place (easier said than done at the moment apparently) but I'm going to give it my best shot. Would love to be on here next year, half way through first year, encouraging others to go for it!

Just believe in yourself!!

Nettles

2ndchance wrote: »

Thanks for replying lilylarkin. Sounds pretty much what I expected. I'm under no illusions it will be easy but I have to do it, I have wanted to for so long. I'm sure there will be times when I'm tearing my hair out but have to just get to the end. Best of luck with engineering, that's a big one to take on! I'm hoping to do English if I get a place that is. Thanks again

My degree and MA are in ENglish, just to say some of the tutors and even lecturer (in UCD anyway) started as mature students so they are really encouraging!!!

2ndchance

Wow that's great to know nettles. Would love to think that if I stayed at it it could lead to a whole new career. Are you hoping to go in that direction? From what I'm told there is a fair amount of work involved with English, but I imagine most of it would be very interesting. I can see nights ahead where I'm sitting at the kitchen table at all hours trying to finish an essay, cursing my decision but then feeling euphoric when I get it done! I really hope I get a place. I'm applying for the denominated English degree for which I have to sit an exam (not sure exactly what format yet) and from that possibly get shortlisted for interview. I have also applied through Arts and this just entails an interview. Will just have to wait and see. Thanks again for the encouragement.

Agent_99

You will be fine 2ndchance, I started in Sept doing a Food Science degree I am lucky that there are other matures on my course so we tend to hang out together, study for exams and lab reports etc, I'm 42 and have 2 kids in 6th and 2nd class, I try to keep my study time in college and there are big gaps between lectures and i can head to the library, I keep the reading for home after the kids are in bed. Just completed my first round of exams at Christmas and managed to pass them all so that has spured me on for this semester not having to re sits in the summer. It is challenging to balance both college and family but keep smiling

2ndchance

Thanks Agent 99, I guess that is the way to do it alright. I hope to make it home to collect youngest from school a couple of times a week depending on timetable of course. Any free mornings when all in school will be spend doing college work instead of housework and rest as you say when all in bed!

mrmac

Just checking back to this thread for an update.
I started my BSc (Hons) in Applied Computing last Sept., a four year degree. Plus I plan on another year, post grad, after that!
I'll be 42 in a few weeks, one child doing the Jnr. Cert next year, and one just starting primary this year!

Going back to full-time education requires determination, and real dedication. It takes a while to get the grey cells switched into the right gear, and to find what learning style suits you, and everyday is a challenge - but sooooooooooo worth it!

The chance to learn, to be challenged, to be creative; is very addictive!
The best advice I can give, is to make sure you select a subject you actually enjoy, rather than something you think may be a career course! If you enjoy the subjects, you'll want to learn it, and that will make it a breeze to do. Attend every lecture, start every assignment straight away, and enjoy it!

Naikon

bette wrote: »

Dear me what a comment! The life of a student is about learning! The objective is to learn and for that matter it does not even require attendance in a classroom!

Now passing exams is another story. That's all about cramming and remembering stuff without necessarily understanding what one would be writing on the exam paper.

Now, if with this piece of paper you can go on to greater things it would be a worthwhile adventure but sadly there are far too many college educated square pegs in round holes who are not capable of having their own thoughts.

Nope. It's about exams imo. Nothing else matters in the eyes of employers/grad boards. I would like to think otherwise, but it's simply not the case. The credentials are the only part worth caring about.

Fea.

I was worried going back to education again after so long but as it turned out, it wasn't college life, teenage students or even the work load that was hard, all that was the easy part for me, it was the disgust of certain family members that was my obstacle. Husband left me, family disowned me (more or less), I was accused of taking a genuine students place, apparently the opinion is that us 'mature' students are hogging all the college places and personally I was made to feel as if I was the one leading the herd !!!!

Lecturers are brilliant, really supportive. Classmates are the best, all of them accepted me as one of their own and include me no matter what is going on. They of course think its hilarious that my eldest (of 4 kids) is going to college this coming September and is so impressed with my course, has decided to come in behind me. So, he'll be in first year, I'll be in second year, we'll be the laughing stock of the family lol but not the college, they think its great.

Sorry can't remember who started this thread but if you want to educate yourself, like I do, then do whatever it takes to make sure you do it. Nobody has the right to say you don't deserve it, because you sure do.

Best of luck xxx