The Student Room Group

The Ultimate Mature Students Halls Thread

Scroll to see replies

I'll be 25 once i start uni, and i really dont want to be in with the teens. I go to college right now, its fine and everything, but i wouldnt want to socialise with them out of class. They're just a bit naive and young, and essentially have different interests.
Reply 21
I am 23 and will be staying in halls. I am worried about it as most of the time I just cant hack 18 year olds! Also filthy kitchens I cant think of anything worse. But hopefully most people will be friendly and will make lots of friends.
I found the majority of 18 year olds at my FE college to be complete and utter idiots. They acted like children and ran riot if unsupervised. However when I went to open days and stuff, the people I met of that age seemed a lot more mature and were looking forward to taking the course.

This might make me sound like a snob.... But I think FE colleges are mostly for younger people who don't do so well so don't join their school 6th form. They run a lot of vocational courses, and courses for teens with behavioural problems. So the 18 year olds you meet there are a lot less mature and responsible than the ones that eventually go off to uni.

I think things have changed nowadays. You don't see so much of the stereotypical lay-about student. If you're at uni you know you're getting the massive amounts of debt and therefore try to make the most of the experience!
Reply 23
Gemma1725
I am 23 and will be staying in halls. I am worried about it as most of the time I just cant hack 18 year olds! Also filthy kitchens I cant think of anything worse. But hopefully most people will be friendly and will make lots of friends.


Here here! my worries exactly. Where I am in the states at the moment, the 18 year olds at the university can be unbearable at times. I'm worried it's going to be hard to get along with people who are just getting used to the idea that they are unsupervised my mom and dad and going through things I did years ago.

I guess I'll just have to wait and see, I'm told there will be a few matures in my housing establishment, so it might not be as bad as I think. Plus next year I can get into a housing area with plenty of privacy. :biggrin:
I turn 22 at the start of the course and am not at all worried about moving into halls, as i'm childish and love a good time. I'm can also be very mature. 18/19 or 22, same maturity, some having more life experience then others. Most 18 yros at my current Uni at very mature.
So, i wouldn't worry...
Reply 25
Hi Guys!

I am 24 and going to uni in september and although i am classed as a mature student i do not want to be judged differently by others. I just want to blend in with all the 18 year olds and have a good time!
I have just done two years of a-levels at FE and i find that you meet people of extremes. On one side you get your 16/17 year olds who have no interest whatsoever in college and are just there to collect ema and on the other side people that genuinely want to succeed and, like me, see FE as an oppurtunity to go to uni at a later stage.
Reply 26
OK, I realize I'm being very american here, but could someone explain the british system to me a little more? I'm very curious cuz it sounds so different from here. What is FE and a-levels? And do students start college as young as 16?
Reply 27
The normal age for a student to start university in the UK is 18 - over here the term 'college' doesn't mean university, but is a place where you take the bit of post-compulsory education between 16-18 that you generally complete if you want to go to university.

In the UK young people can leave school at 16 after completing their GSCE exams. After that, young people can go into further education (FE) where they can take A-Level exams (generally regarded as the 'academic' route) or other more vocational qualifications, either of which can get you into university. Most UK students who go to uni still follow the traditional A-Level route though, although mature students can take what are known as 'access' courses which are similar to A-Levels but are more geared towards people who may not have many formal qualifications.

To take these post-compulsory qualifications, young people either stay at their school or go on to an FE 'college'. After that, at 17-18, you apply for university (also known as higher education, or HE) and hope you get in!!

Hope this helps a bit!
Reply 28
Thanks for the info. Here students have to finish High School at about 17-18 and get a diploma or equivalency exam. Then college and univeristy are pretty much the same thing, and then there are technical schools instead of college or uni.

Thanks for explaining all that.
Reply 29
I'm a mature student - decided against halls this time round, and have plenty of friends and an active social life!
Reply 30
ladyportacabin
I found the majority of 18 year olds at my FE college to be complete and utter idiots. They acted like children and ran riot if unsupervised. However when I went to open days and stuff, the people I met of that age seemed a lot more mature and were looking forward to taking the course.

This might make me sound like a snob.... But I think FE colleges are mostly for younger people who don't do so well so don't join their school 6th form. They run a lot of vocational courses, and courses for teens with behavioural problems. So the 18 year olds you meet there are a lot less mature and responsible than the ones that eventually go off to uni.

I think things have changed nowadays. You don't see so much of the stereotypical lay-about student. If you're at uni you know you're getting the massive amounts of debt and therefore try to make the most of the experience!



And some leave because they had problems in school such as bullying etc. Gotta love insulting generalisations athough I wouldn't have expected them from a 'mature' student. (Still, what's in a name?)
Reply 31
I'm a mature student hoping to study vet med when I've done my A Levels, and I don't think my hubby would be too impressed if I decided to go live in halls:p: !
Reply 32
Evenstar
I'm a mature student hoping to study vet med when I've done my A Levels, and I don't think my hubby would be too impressed if I decided to go live in halls:p: !


Some unis have gorgeous accommodation for couples. (Some of the mature students' colleges in Cambridge, for example.) Best of both worlds.
Huh? Didn't mean to be at all insulting. I'm sure there are FE college students who are perfectly hard working. Just the majority at my college were idiots. (It was a crappy college in a bad area tho.)
I am slightly concerned about the age gap but as long as I get a room with an en suite I will be happy - don't fancy sharing a bathroom with teenagers (or anybody for that matter lol)
Reply 35
I'm really concerned about this. I'm supposed to be going to Warwick which, i think, has nice halls, but I'm 33 and a confirmed misanthropist,:wink: so the thought of being in halls with a load of teenagers is praying on my mind somewhat.
law:portal
I am slightly concerned about the age gap but as long as I get a room with an en suite I will be happy - don't fancy sharing a bathroom with teenagers (or anybody for that matter lol)


Nothing but en suite!
I think in some halls, the communal areas are cleaned regularly. They might also be a good choice!
Reply 38
BellaCat
And some leave because they had problems in school such as bullying etc. Gotta love insulting generalisations athough I wouldn't have expected them from a 'mature' student. (Still, what's in a name?)

I don't think it's an 'insulting' generalisation at all. I work at an FE college and ladypartacabin's description was pretty accurate! However I do think that some students choose FE colleges over sixth forms because they're generally a bit more laid back. Sixth form to me felt like an extension of school, whereas the relaxed attitude of lecturers and staff at FE colleges isn't far off what you'd expect at a uni, even if some of the student are doing vocational courses :smile:
Reply 39
Neverendingroses
I'm a mature student (22 - so not mature yet! lol) and I've opted for the halls at Kingston where I'll be taking my first year undergrad this September. I've heard so many bad things and how its better to move into shared accom. when you're older but I also hear its not easy to make friends if you dont.

anyone else in my shoes?


Erm... You're 22 not 82. Relax and enjoy it. I'm 26 and will be 27 by the time I move into halls. Quit worrying about things you don't need to and go have the time of your life!

Quick Reply

Latest