Am i too old to go back to school???

munch · #1 3rd May 2007, 13:21

Yo peoples

Does anyone on here attend college? I've recently given up my totally rubbish office job to attempt to bring some happiness into my life by doing something i want to do which is working with animals. I've enquired at the local college and they run 3 different courses - 2 BTECS and a foundation degree. I have a meeting with the college next week to discuss my options but i can't get this thought out of my head that i'm too old for all this. I know deep down that i'm being crazy - i've always been the one to say 'it's never too late' but i just don't want to get there and be really the really old person in the middle of loads of young people. It's been 11 years since i was in school, i have no idea what it's like these days. I'm 29 by the way (hardly over the hill i know but i have SA, i'd be worried if i wasn't worrying about something hehe)

Kaz · #2 3rd May 2007, 13:31

I went back to school at 29 to do an MSc. in a totally different area to that I had worked in. Also I have a friend who did his degree at 42.

I think the 42 was possibly too old as he did have a problem getting a job after. But for me 29 was not a problem and I came out of the MSc straight into a job which i am still in now.

Admittedly I was probably the oldest person on the course, but that really wasn't a problem as I didn't hang around with people on the course anyway, I just went home of an evening.

If you are a more sociable person than me then you might find things a bit "lonely" I guess depending how readily you mix with people younger than yourself (or generally) ... and it was kind of odd when you were as old or older than the lecturers

Anyway, if its what you want to do, you shouldn't worry about the age, just go for it .

Pal · #3 3rd May 2007, 13:44

You're never too old and actually i suspect you'll really enjoy the experience.

fairyfingers · #4 3rd May 2007, 14:19

Like many have said never to old to learn, in fact colleges really value 'mature' students.

I went to College then Uni at 28 yrs old after my son had started school , to do Interior design and Architecture, they actually preferred people over 25 years old , but their was a range of ages mostly over 25 needless to say.

College and Uni is also so different from school they cant be compared.

I hope your meeting with the college goes well, if it really concerns you i would mention it as am sure they would put your mind at rest and give best advice. I know that foundation courses tend to be more geared towards the 'mature' student in general, certainly on my foundation we were all over 23.

Best of luck and well done for going for it

Pal · #5 3rd May 2007, 14:22

My Grandmother was in her 50's when she went back to Uni to study to become an Educational Psychologist!!

munch · #6 3rd May 2007, 14:28

Thank you so much for your support everyone.

It's really good to hear from others that have already done what i hope to achieve. I always wanted to go to uni when i was at school but the thought of having to make new friends or move away was just too much for me. Now i'm trying to focus more on what i can gain and how i can better myself but i do still have those doubts and fears, especially the first day and interview fears! Your replies have certainly put my mind at rest about my age though and given me more confidence to go for it.

Thanks again

#7 3rd May 2007, 14:35

Im hoping to go to college at some point once my mental health is more under control. I hated college when I tried it 1st time round and that was day release from school where I was fine.

Im 29 but I wont feel out of place or too old as my mum retrained when she was in her late 30's and is now a qulified community care officer and managment want her to take up a promotion so all she does is assessments etc like 1st contact to determine care needed.

so if she can do it anyone can.

Swollen Goat · #8 3rd May 2007, 17:14

I'm currently doing a top-up degree from a HND I completed a few years ago. Currently on my second year as I'm doing it part time, and I'm the youngest of the part-timers, at 27, most are in their late thirties.

From what I have seen the full time students seem to be younger, although you still get a few "oldies".

Sapient Pearwood · #9 3rd May 2007, 17:17

It's true what they say, you really never are too old. I'm a mature student at university (I'll be 26 this month), and I'm by no means the oldest person on the course. Colleges and universities value the experience that olders students possess and they tend to be very welcoming. You may have a bit of a problem socialising with the youngest students, but I guess that depends on their level of maturity or whether you have anything in common with them. Then again, might just be me who feels a little disassociated from them.

Really, though, I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck.

Johnni · #10 3rd May 2007, 17:25

I'm 25 and in the middle of my MSc and i'm the youngest on my course. I had the worry that i would be one fo the oldest but with MSc in particualr the age aranges are quite large. It's the same for undergrad degrees as 29 is that that old for even college.

Innervision · #11 3rd May 2007, 19:29

Too old? Not at all!

I left school at 16 and never sat in another classroom for 24 years until I went to college aged 40. It was by far the best thing I've ever done in my life, too.

tallyn78 · #12 3rd May 2007, 21:16

I don't think you are ever too old. I was a mature student and about half of my classes were of a similar age or older. The older students seemed much more relaxed about the learning process and we had a lot of fun!

blubs · #13 4th May 2007, 20:42

I worried about being old & out of place when I went back to uni at 27....but like a lot of other people I found I was actually one of the younger students. I've felt younger ever since than I did before I went...because I mixed with people of all ages with loads of different experiences...whereas before I only had mixed with people my age.
Good luck with it

Concept · #14 4th May 2007, 20:58

You're never too old. Go for it.

Orchid · #15 6th May 2007, 00:13

Definitely go for it! I've just turned 28 and I'm seriously considering attending night college or maybe full time college/uni when I've decided on what career to go for as I hate my current job!

mal · #16 6th May 2007, 01:48

Too old ? Of course not, take any opportinity and do it.

My sis is 42 and applying for uni.

GhostOnMagneticTape · #17 6th May 2007, 11:33

I went back to college at 25 while having CBT. It was a positive experience over all, made some friends and got a qualification (Genereally Not Very Qualified

). Saying that, I'm a bit bored, fed and lost in my current IT job... so wish to try something new and more satisfying at the age of 32 which will probably take me back to College or Uni again.

It's never too late to learn!

wobbly · #18 7th May 2007, 07:31

I went to uni at age 39 but still felt 18 within. Never felt out of place and enjoyed and was able to contribute in many different ways that life experience brings to older students that younger ones don't have.

nervouslass · #19 7th May 2007, 12:06

Heya,
I went straight from college to uni etc so haven't been a mature student, but there were quite a few on my courses. I (and others) used to really admire the older students, they fitted in just grand, were great to work with in team projects, and just overall had that life experience and always brought a different perspective to things. I also know several folk now who didn't get qualifications when they were younger, or wanted to change jobs, and I really admire them for having the balls to say I want to do something else and going back and doing it.

Go for it, and don't worry about being a tad older than some of the others. Good luck

nervouslass · #20 7th May 2007, 12:09

Sorry - that might have come out wrong! I didn't mean those who don't go back are ball-less it's just it's something I really admire and it does take guts.