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Scared but so so so excited!!!

Aaaarrrgghhh!!!! So scared that in a few weeks time I will be starting university at the age of 31 at the uni I wanted to go to from the age of 17 and studying the course I wanted to since the age of 15!! Ever since I was a teenager I wanted to work with children. Messed up a levels, messed up a childcare course and then fell pregnant. Stayed at home with my kiddies while my husband worked to support us. When the children were both at school I got a job in a school kitchen. This made me realise I still desperately wanted to work with children and my husband made me quit and do an access course in education. I finished that in May and now I have my place on a degree. Also, I have tried three times to get my GCSE maths grade C and I have just got it this summer. You know when something is just so surreal but also scary, what if after all of this time of dreaming of this career it is not all I hoped it would be when I get there? This is more of a release than a question. Hope you don't mind me sharing it with you. Would love to hear your stories about why you have gone back to education.
😄😄

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Reply 1
Ahh thank you! I can't quite believe it. When I messed up college all those years ago I kind of thought that was it,
😀
Reply 2
Hiya Nikki,

Firstly, congratulations on your dedication to your dream and getting into Uni.

Like you, I start university in a matter of weeks to do a degree in History, Sociology and Professional Education (Secondary School Teacher). I'll be 29 when I start and has taken me a number of years to get this far.
I left school at 16 due to illness, I left with semi-decent standard grades (GCSE's). I went on to have my family young (my kids are now 10, 8 and 4). In 2013 I went to college and completed an HNC in Social Care - this is where I realised how badly I wanted to be a teacher after working in a school on placement. However, to get into university I needed a better Maths grade and a higher English (A-level equivalent).
So, last year I embarked on doing Maths, English and Psychology. I thankfully made my grades and have confirmed my university course.

All three of my children are in full time education now and I'm desperate to better myself for them but also for me. I want to provide a better future for them while feeling like I'm fulfilling my own desires.

I hope you enjoy university. I'm also nervous and anxious. But! We have came this far, we can get over this last hurdle :smile:.
Reply 3
Original post by Emizi
Hiya Nikki,

Firstly, congratulations on your dedication to your dream and getting into Uni.

Like you, I start university in a matter of weeks to do a degree in History, Sociology and Professional Education (Secondary School Teacher). I'll be 29 when I start and has taken me a number of years to get this far.
I left school at 16 due to illness, I left with semi-decent standard grades (GCSE's). I went on to have my family young (my kids are now 10, 8 and 4). In 2013 I went to college and completed an HNC in Social Care - this is where I realised how badly I wanted to be a teacher after working in a school on placement. However, to get into university I needed a better Maths grade and a higher English (A-level equivalent).
So, last year I embarked on doing Maths, English and Psychology. I thankfully made my grades and have confirmed my university course.

All three of my children are in full time education now and I'm desperate to better myself for them but also for me. I want to provide a better future for them while feeling like I'm fulfilling my own desires.

I hope you enjoy university. I'm also nervous and anxious. But! We have came this far, we can get over this last hurdle :smile:.


Morning, oh thank you very much. Wow! Secondary you are a brave lady haha. Well done to you for achieving all that you have so far. Just the degrees to go and we are there :-) wishing you lots of luck on your course but reading what you have already achieved it will Be no problem at all I am sure 😀. Xx
Well done! Thanks for sharing this story. :h: :congrats:
Reply 5
I'll be 33 by the time I qualify as a speech and language therapist. I started when my second child was 5.5 months and my first barely 2. It is scary but you won't be the only person on your course who started a career later in life.*

There's some hard times ahead, don't get me wrong, but it's more than worth it. Won't always feel like it, but it is. And you'll finally know that this is what you wanted.*

Good luck. x*
*
Reply 6
I like you didn't do well at school and now at the grandold age of 50 I have completed an Access course and will be starting uni in a few weeks to train to become a primary school teacher. Can't wait as it is what I always wanted to do. Age isn't a barrier. Hope you enjoy your course.
Reply 7
Im 42, starting my 3rd year in a couple of weeks. I absolutely love it, lots of respect from lecturers and classmates when you are a mature student. congrats and good luck

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Reply 8
There was a guy on my course last year who was 30 something, married with a toddler. He just threw himself in and got on really well with the lads, became part of the gang and I don't think anyone ever thought about his age he was just accepted! Don't be shy and get to know your coursemates and they'll just see you as a friend and your age won't come into it :smile:
Reply 9
Original post by NikkiNakki
Morning, oh thank you very much. Wow! Secondary you are a brave lady haha. Well done to you for achieving all that you have so far. Just the degrees to go and we are there :-) wishing you lots of luck on your course but reading what you have already achieved it will Be no problem at all I am sure 😀. Xx


I was offered Primary as well but I had to weigh up which one I wanted to do more - probably one of the hardest choices of my life!!

Thank you, I think we need to give ourselves a high five for our ambition and determination!
Reply 10
Original post by skiingjj
I like you didn't do well at school and now at the grandold age of 50 I have completed an Access course and will be starting uni in a few weeks to train to become a primary school teacher. Can't wait as it is what I always wanted to do. Age isn't a barrier. Hope you enjoy your course.


Hail fellow teacher, once you've finished with them you can pass them to me! - I'm doing Secondary :smile:.
Reply 11
Original post by skiingjj
I like you didn't do well at school and now at the grandold age of 50 I have completed an Access course and will be starting uni in a few weeks to train to become a primary school teacher. Can't wait as it is what I always wanted to do. Age isn't a barrier. Hope you enjoy your course.

This is brilliant. Congratulations and good luck on your adventure. :smile: xx
Reply 12
Original post by giella
I'll be 33 by the time I qualify as a speech and language therapist. I started when my second child was 5.5 months and my first barely 2. It is scary but you won't be the only person on your course who started a career later in life.*

There's some hard times ahead, don't get me wrong, but it's more than worth it. Won't always feel like it, but it is. And you'll finally know that this is what you wanted.*

Good luck. x*
*


Wow, I can only imagine how hard it is studying with two small children, mine are 9 and 7 so are at school and not quite so demanding. Not sure i'd have coped at those ages :smile: I hope you are enjoying your course and I can not wait for that feeling of reaching that job:smile:
Reply 13
Original post by ked95
There was a guy on my course last year who was 30 something, married with a toddler. He just threw himself in and got on really well with the lads, became part of the gang and I don't think anyone ever thought about his age he was just accepted! Don't be shy and get to know your coursemates and they'll just see you as a friend and your age won't come into it :smile:

Thank you for the advice. Actually on my access course my table was full of 20 year olds and I managed ok, well they were nice to me anyway haha. Maybe it helps I'm pretty sure I'm still that age in my head 😀. Xx
Reply 14
Congratulations on following your dream and on getting into University.

I start University in a few weeks myself to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering, at the ripe old age of 36, but mentally I'm still a teenager so I'm sure I'll fit in ok with the lads lol. I'm a single parent so the last few years I've been working part-time and concentrating most of my time on my son whilst doing the odd part-time OU courses to keep my brain active, but it was always my hope and dream to go back to study full-time at University, I only managed 6 months the first time out of school as I didn't like the course I was doing. Now that my son is 14 and my dad has retired, and can help out, it feels the right time to attempt this and to work towards a better job and career. Plus if I wait any longer he'll be going at the same time and as much as he thinks that's a great idea now he won't when he's 18 lmao.

Best of luck with the course, I'm sure you'll love it.
Reply 15
Original post by Jp_op
Congratulations on following your dream and on getting into University.

I start University in a few weeks myself to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering, at the ripe old age of 36, but mentally I'm still a teenager so I'm sure I'll fit in ok with the lads lol. I'm a single parent so the last few years I've been working part-time and concentrating most of my time on my son whilst doing the odd part-time OU courses to keep my brain active, but it was always my hope and dream to go back to study full-time at University, I only managed 6 months the first time out of school as I didn't like the course I was doing. Now that my son is 14 and my dad has retired, and can help out, it feels the right time to attempt this and to work towards a better job and career. Plus if I wait any longer he'll be going at the same time and as much as he thinks that's a great idea now he won't when he's 18 lmao.

Best of luck with the course, I'm sure you'll love it.

Oh well done you form going back to do something. Can only imagine how hard it is as a single parent. I am glad you have the time and support to go to uni. I hope it is a success and that you enjoy your course. The socialising part does bother me a little because I am a chatterbox and as much as I don't mind talking to myself, it may be frowned upon at uni haha. Luckily a lady from my access course is doing the same degree so a friendly face is always good. As for feeling like a teenager still, I totally agree. I'm not sure I will ever grown up (I had a Belle from Beauty and the Beast cake for my 30th) but then again who wants to anyway :-) wish you lots of luck on your course but I'm sure you will smash it 😀Xx
Original post by Jp_op
Congratulations on following your dream and on getting into University.

I start University in a few weeks myself to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering, at the ripe old age of 36, but mentally I'm still a teenager so I'm sure I'll fit in ok with the lads lol. I'm a single parent so the last few years I've been working part-time and concentrating most of my time on my son whilst doing the odd part-time OU courses to keep my brain active, but it was always my hope and dream to go back to study full-time at University, I only managed 6 months the first time out of school as I didn't like the course I was doing. Now that my son is 14 and my dad has retired, and can help out, it feels the right time to attempt this and to work towards a better job and career. Plus if I wait any longer he'll be going at the same time and as much as he thinks that's a great idea now he won't when he's 18 lmao.

Best of luck with the course, I'm sure you'll love it.


Great to read this and well done, it's amazing how an opportunity always presents itself when you want to make a change in your life.

Are you ready for all the maths? Having looked into it a bit it seems like a brill field and you'll get a great job once you've graduated. :smile:
Congratulations Nikki! I'm in a similar boat in that I'm starting a Psychology degree next week at the ripe old age of 50 😊
Following the untimely death of my husband nearly 4 years ago then redundancy from a well paid but stressful job 18 months ago I am finally doing what I should have done, but didn't have the motivation to do, when I was 18.
I have a son who has just graduated in Law, a daughter about to start her 3rd year in Psychology and my youngest is also starting in a week doing Criminology. If anyone had told me 5 years ago that this is where we'd all be I would never have believed it!
I will be reading your posts with interest and we can hopefully all support one another in this exciting but terrifying time 😃


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Reply 18
Original post by sunnymummy
Congratulations Nikki! I'm in a similar boat in that I'm starting a Psychology degree next week at the ripe old age of 50 😊
Following the untimely death of my husband nearly 4 years ago then redundancy from a well paid but stressful job 18 months ago I am finally doing what I should have done, but didn't have the motivation to do, when I was 18.
I have a son who has just graduated in Law, a daughter about to start her 3rd year in Psychology and my youngest is also starting in a week doing Criminology. If anyone had told me 5 years ago that this is where we'd all be I would never have believed it!
I will be reading your posts with interest and we can hopefully all support one another in this exciting but terrifying time 😃


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Firstly i am really sorry to hear about your husband. Well done on pursuing your dream. Funny how things work out isn't it? When you think you may never do these things and then before you know it you are back studying. I thought my chance of working with children were long gone as i just thought i was too old but making the decision to do the access course (after refusing a place two previous years running) was the best decision and made me realise there really is no age limit to education. I really hope your course goes well for you and wish you every success. Keep me posted on your progress. :smile: xx
Thank you Nikki. I'm soooo excited now and feel very strange thinking about an early night and getting my bag ready for induction tomorrow 😃 I'm hoping to get my reading list too then will be worrying like you as to whether I have to read them all and in how long 😉
Good luck this week and next to all of us newbies!!!


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