Going to uni at 20 - does it make any difference?

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(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 1

samina_ay

18

I study education studies, and majority of people are 20 above, 18 year old's don't take up the whole course lol. All sorts of people be at uni, and you'll fit in :smile:

Reply 2

SophieSmall

It won't make a shred of difference. People worry about so much stuff before they go to uni and it's all honestly a waste of time and nonsense to worry about.

Reply 3

Skyf4ll

3

You'll meet loads of students your age and older!

I'm 22 and still the youngest in my flat.

Reply 4

yasaminO_o

11

There'll be a load of 19 year olds feeling the same way. I'll be 19 going on 20 and I'm terrified I won't fit in, so don't worry. There will be a lot of people who aren't 18 when they start at uni who'll feel the same as you so there'll be a lot of people you can make friends with, even if we don't fit in with the younger ones :smile:

When I started I was 20 and no it didn't make a shred of difference.

There really is no difference between an 18 year old and a 20 year old.

Reply 6

Floalley

2

Just coming from the perspective of someone who started uni at 18. I was very happily friends with someone who was in her 30s. I don't think anyone cares when their class mates are older than them. There was a wide range of ages on my course anyway.

Reply 7

username738914

Original post by jambojim97

Okay, so I started a course this year and found it really wasn't for me. I switched at the last minute because I thought it would give me more career prospects, but turns out I didnt like it and wouldn't like any jobs related to it. Furthermore, the main paths I'm considering are not degree-specific, just wanting a 2.1 etc.

So I'm taking a leave of absence and going back to the same uni in September to study what I originally applied for. However, by that time I'll be 20 going on 21 and I'm worried I'll feel too old/ not fit in with 18 year olds etc.

So can anyone tell me their experience of going to uni at 20? Will it make a difference? I'm seriously considering just lying about my age saying I'm 19 going on 20....

No, it won't.

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Reply 8

Original post by jambojim97

Okay, so I started a course this year and found it really wasn't for me. I switched at the last minute because I thought it would give me more career prospects, but turns out I didnt like it and wouldn't like any jobs related to it. Furthermore, the main paths I'm considering are not degree-specific, just wanting a 2.1 etc.

So I'm taking a leave of absence and going back to the same uni in September to study what I originally applied for. However, by that time I'll be 20 going on 21 and I'm worried I'll feel too old/ not fit in with 18 year olds etc.

So can anyone tell me their experience of going to uni at 20? Will it make a difference? I'm seriously considering just lying about my age saying I'm 19 going on 20....

ffs why take an absence of leave

going to uni at an older age is ****ing atrocious. You will not fit in with anybody and living in halls (if you are going to) will be a pain in the arse.

I'm not coping in uni because i'm going to graduate at 24, now do you think that is fun. Oh yeah, and also you may 96% not fit in with 18-19 year olds in anywhere.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 9

Original post by jambojim97

Why?

FYI I'm probably going to a different uni now...

stay in uni please. I wish i went to uni when i was 18 but i suffered multiple breakdowns. It's worse for me because i'm doing a foundation year so its 4 years of pain for me.

Remember once you have any degree, you have a better chance in an entirely different career if you like

Reply 10

username738914

Original post by Uyi 95

ffs why take an absence of leave

going to uni at an older age is ****ing atrocious. You will not fit in with anybody and living in halls (if you are going to) will be a pain in the arse.

I'm not coping in uni because i'm going to graduate at 24, now do you think that is fun. Oh yeah, and also you may 96% not fit in with 18-19 year olds in anywhere.

Awesome, you are now representative of the entire mature student population..

Get a grip bro, stop trying to overcomplicate life, you need to stretch yourself a bit more if you think that's the end of the world.

What difference does it make graduating at 24? You still have another 30-40 bloody years of working ahead of you.

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Reply 11

Original post by Princepieman

Awesome, you are now representative of the entire mature student population..

Get a grip bro, stop trying to overcomplicate life, you need to stretch yourself a bit more if you think that's the end of the world.

What difference does it make graduating at 24? You still have another 30-40 bloody years of working ahead of you.

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I have a crazy ambition to be a Headteacher or boss before 30, is it too much to ask?

thats why i wanted to be in uni at 18 but no, i'm stuck in the wrong era. Mature students don't even do well in uni (there's a 60 year old in my course and he looks so upset everyday)

Reply 12

username1539513

Original post by jambojim97

Okay, so I started a course this year and found it really wasn't for me. I switched at the last minute because I thought it would give me more career prospects, but turns out I didnt like it and wouldn't like any jobs related to it. Furthermore, the main paths I'm considering are not degree-specific, just wanting a 2.1 etc.

So I'm taking a leave of absence and going back to the same uni in September to study what I originally applied for. However, by that time I'll be 20 going on 21 and I'm worried I'll feel too old/ not fit in with 18 year olds etc.

So can anyone tell me their experience of going to uni at 20? Will it make a difference? I'm seriously considering just lying about my age saying I'm 19 going on 20....

Don't worry about it, my mum went to uni at 30 after having me as a kid and still came out of uni with a 2:1 at a RG uni

Reply 13

username738914

Original post by Uyi 95

I have a crazy ambition to be a Headteacher or boss before 30, is it too much to ask?

thats why i wanted to be in uni at 18 but no, i'm stuck in the wrong era. Mature students don't even do well in uni (there's a 60 year old in my course and he looks so upset everyday)

Yes, given how bureaucratic schools can be, that is an unrealistic goal. If you push it back to 35-40, sure, but It's just unlikely that you'll make headteacher in 5 ish years.

Again, you're AT uni. Doesn't matter when you started, you're still there. If you weren't there, the whole ambition of being a headteacher would be a non-starter. Embrace the opportunity you have in front of you whilst it's still there.

Reply 14

Original post by Princepieman

Yes, given how bureaucratic schools can be, that is an unrealistic goal. If you push it back to 35-40, sure, but It's just unlikely that you'll make headteacher in 5 ish years.

Again, you're AT uni. Doesn't matter when you started, you're still there. If you weren't there, the whole ambition of being a headteacher would be a non-starter. Embrace the opportunity you have in front of you whilst it's still there.

My ambition really is secondary teaching. I just don't feel comfortable (despite many people not seeing what is actually wrong with this) staying in uni for 4 years with a foundation year. If i decide to a masters degree, it will be 5 years of uni.

The thing is that next year i will be a first year AGAIN, meaning all the people, all my flatmates will be second year. I mean ffs, i will be a first year at age 21 with 18 years olds, worst THAN THIS YEAR.

I know it isn't seen as an issue in people's eyes but i don't feel comfortable with being a first year again

Reply 15

( c -_-)

2

I have wasted 5 years of my life, in the country I study the average age of university students is one of the highest in the world. I am 20 and began my degree a few months ago, there are students who are 22-28, one is even 34.

I don't even know why it should make a difference. I am 2-3 years late to the university thing, but that really couldn't be helped (no I didn't repeat a levels or anything just started late).

Reply 16

King Robbie