Is 25 too old to enjoy University to it's fullest? E.g. Social life, societies etc

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I am planning to study an access course next year in Social studies and then go onto Uni, but I'm currently 23 years old and once the access course is completed I'll be 25 years old, and that will be the same age I'll start Uni. I am still social now and I enjoy partying, drinking (sometimes), and doing different activities, but am I going to be too old to join in and have fun at Uni? I don't look old (good genes) so I would probably fit in with the younger people, but I'm just a little worried/curious about how it might be at University.

Any advice?

Hi,

Firstly, you are never too old to get an education. Good for you for making the decision and trying to better yourself, you should take that as a positive.

I am 33 and studying a degree in Computer Networking at Brighton Uni. I was wondering the very same thing as you were and I shouldn't have bothered worrying about it. I live with a house of five, myself included. Ages are 18, 19, 20, 24 and then me, 33. We have some lovely neighbours ageing between 19-23 and we all go out, socialise and get completely blotto'd together. People have often said that they don't see me as being the "old one" so by the time you get to uni, I don't think you are really going to have a problem. As for the societies, same again. I have been to a few and the age doesn't make any difference. I think it's more about how you carry yourself and mix in. Sometimes when I go to some of the clubs, I feel a bit out of place if I'm honest, but that's more about me than anything else. By the time you get to uni at 25, it'll be no biggy and you'll have a blast.

I hope that helps.

Reply 81

ashtoreth

been following this thread with interest, mainly for the attitudes of respondents. would agree that your attitude makes the difference and personally, i don't think a guy of 25 should have anyfinks to worry about :smile:

having had this convo with two close friends lately, it's funny how fast i'm about to ditch my own advice regards 'personal attitude' lol - cos i got visions of being/feeling completely out of synch with anyone that's a youngling and spending all my time hiding with my books. now hopefully, the course i'm applying for should have more of us oldies anyways but still, i have these dread visions of losing my SOH cos some of the kids around me may turn out to be vacuous n immature etcetc.

to my mind, is one thing to study together but another thing entirely to socialise with em. generally speaking, would imagine it's easier for the guys that are older but would suggest is gonna be harder for the women.

must confess, never mind the dread of seeing 5 rejections thru ucas, i ALSO live in fear of getting to uni n feeling completely isolated! :redface:

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 82

sparky86

After just finishing my first term and being given the award for most hedonistic lifestyle at the age of 25, and still managing decent grades, I would say that the younger students are at a slight disadvantage as they have yet to learn how to balance partying and work.

Reply 83

Welshbyrne

I'll be 30 in Febuary, just finished my first semester.
Had a cracking time in all honesty. If your friendly, open and most importantly, talk down to the 18 year olds, you'll be fine. My age has never been an issue once.

As for the whole, "Is it right to date an 18 year old" debate, it very much depends on the people involved. There's 18 year olds on my course I wouldn't just to sharpen a pencil whilst there's others who've really got their lives in order. It's not my place to judge people, especially on something so arbitary as age

Reply 84

callmenighthawk

Original post by Aspiringlawstudent

Why not just become a bricklayer then?

f'ing lol, this kid clearly isn't having a good time in university - relates happiness to what is implied as a simple job.

fyi, my dad is a bricklayer/builder and earns more than you ever will.

Reply 85

irdan

Ignore him mate he is a wannabe snob who will end up being one of them cheap lawyers you get for free when you get locked up. What a guy!

Reply 86

Vicstress

OK, sensible reply now!

I'm sure that I'll go out for drinks now and again with some of my course mates but essentially I'm in a relationship and have done all the partying etc....I'm giving up a lot to study so will probably be quite focussed in suceeding....also, when you get to 34 it's not easy to get up with a hangover anymore!

Good luck to you all - I'm sure that old or young uni will have us all out of our comfort zones!

Reply 87

troublewhammy

I'm always amazed when people in their 20s worry about being too old for uni. For goodness sake, think positive! I'm doing a full-time PhD in my late 50s, I'm an active member of one union society (which takes care of at least one day a weekend), I socialise with younger colleagues (from time to time, I realise they wouldn't want to hang out 24/7 with someone nearly three times their age), and I was clubbing till 3.00 am a couple of weeks ago, 'cos I was asked. In short, I'm having a cracking time. It sure as hell beats working... :wink:

Reply 88

TWF

Nobdy can judge for you. It all depends on yourself.

Reply 89

Kathryn_R

I'm 25 and planning to go to uni for the 2nd time, went a year late and was 19 the first time. I came out with a good degree, but don't think I was honestly ready to that independent and really enjoy myself - all I wanted to do was come home. I feel like this time I will be. Age really makes no difference to how you feel in your head, if you're up for partying and having a good time, nothing is going to change in the space of two years. Do you think once you hit your mid-twenties you suddenly become old and boring? I can understand your worries though as this will be your first time and you're worried everyone will be be loads younger than you, but if they are decent people and the kind you would want to be friends with then they shouldn't treat you any different because of your age. If you would prefer to hang around with people your own age/older there'll be plenty of those too. Uni isn't just for 18yr olds now you know! Good luck :smile:

Reply 90

DarwinsDevotee

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee this thread gets me so excited! I will be 26 when starting the course (Only just though :wink:

) and I fully intend to live student life to the max! Like some others have said, succeeding is the priority so my work will always come first.. I will be organised, and once it's out the way I will be out there with the best of them! I can't wait to meet fellow mature students to hopefully make some lifelong friends and to share good and stressful times with.. but on my college course, i've met an 18 year old who is one of the loveliest people I've ever met and probaby a friend for life! Stop stressing and embrace this wonderful time! We're going to university! YAY!

Reply 91

Dragonfly07

Original post by Aspiringlawstudent

Why not just become a bricklayer then?

^ why did this get so many neg reps brick laying is a great job for socialising I'd do it if I wasn't so terrified of the gender stereotypes. :frown:

Reply 92

Einheri

Drinking too much, attempting to dance and getting rejected by women isn't very fun anyway. Take up a sport or something and do that in your spare time - I'd say clubbing is a bit sad after about 21.

Reply 93

da_comeback

Original post by Aspiringlawstudent

Why not just become a bricklayer then?

I really hope you fail your law degree mate...

Anyway OP age is just a number. There a plenty of mature students who have fun with the freshers.

Reply 94

Einheri

Original post by callum9999

Maybe for you. For normal people it isn't.

"Normal people" are morons, for the most part. Universities don't exist for partying; they're educational institutions.

Reply 95

Llamageddon

I would say that it will be a different experience than for 18 year olds, but to say you won't enjoy it is just nonsense. My sister started at 25 and has enjoyed it.

Reply 96

callum9999

Original post by Einheri

"Normal people" are morons, for the most part. Universities don't exist for partying; they're educational institutions.

The first bit is largely true I guess - not that it changes anything.

The second bit is rubbish. Their primary function is for education, their secondary function is definitely to provide a social life - and I'd say you fall into the "moron" category if you can't recognise that. There is a reason why universities focus on their student unions so heavily and build their student halls the way they do.

Of course, you're free to ignore all that should you want to, but that doesn't change the fact that it is clearly there.

Reply 97

DarwinsDevotee

Original post by Einheri

"Normal people" are morons, for the most part. Universities don't exist for partying; they're educational institutions.

You should have asked Santa for a sense of fun, my friend! Aren't you a big old joyous barrel of laughs.

Reply 98

Hevinha

I'll also be 25 by the time I start uni, I understand what u mean, but I believe it will be what u make it. There will be a lot of students there our age not just sixth form leavers :smile:

Reply 99

Epica

Hey!

I begun uni last september as a 25 year old and I am someone who has no children but just wants fun. It started off Ok and actually quite a lot of people around 25 too. Like most mature students, most never bothered with freshers and only talk about their sodding kids :s-smilie: