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Going to Uni at 23. Will I seem like an outsider/mature student? I don't want to be!

I'm going to University in September and I'm 23 years old.

I'm worried that people in my class will see me as a 'mature student' rather than one of them? I really don't want this as I want to seem like one of them even though I'll be 5 years older than them.

Is this creepy?

Should I see myself as a 'mature student' and not as the typical 18 year olds who are going?

I'm worried with accommodation too. I don't want my hall mates to think I'm going to be all over mature and I'm worried that overall my classmates and hall mates might not make as much effort with me because they would see me as a 'mature student'. Do you think this may be the case.
Reply 1
Avatar for MartinCB
MartinCB
4
I think you build people's perceptions of you, if, for example, you decide to never go out or interact with coursemates (extreme example) people may perceive that to be a product of your age. Having said that, if you socialise and make an effort I doubt anyone will think anything of it.

I'll be 21 (almost) when I start uni this September, and these are things that I worry about sometimes too, but more from the opposite end of the spectrum - for example me knowing how messy I was at 18 compared to now, people keeping me awake, people having their first beer and getting all punchy etc - but at the end of the day you have to go with the flow, worry about it if it actually starts happening, after a while, you'll probably find the age gap just stops existing in peoples heads.
Reply 2
Avatar for MartinCB
MartinCB
4
Also (and sorry to double post), to address the 'is it creepy?' part of the question:

No, of course not, saying you want them to associate with you at 18 and not consider the age gap is like saying 'I don't want to be made an outsider' - of course you don't, that's perfectly normal.

Although technically a mature student, 23 is still extremely young, don't worry so much!
Hi

We have accommodation sites across the Uk and we have many 'mature' students live with us every year. (I myself was 21 when I started my second degree and moved in to halls).

Most halls will put mature students together (unless requested otherwise) but we have found that you are only as old as you want to be. Last year our oldest resident in one of our sites was 50+ and he was a blast! Student will only look at you differently and treat you differently if you let them- if you don't want to be the 'mature sensible one' dont be. No one will find you old and/or creepy. :smile:

Relax and enjoy the time you have at uni!

Hope this helps

Rachel
Universal Student Living Team

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