Restarting UG at 21

Hey guys!

I’d previously started studying law but ended up taking time out of uni part way through my second year for mental health reasons.

It’s been a year since then and I’ve realised I don’t enjoy law and I’ve decided to apply for Psychology, starting from year 1 of UG this September.

I’m honestly really excited to study psychology. I’ve loved it for ages - I just never let myself think of it as more than a personal interest/hobby. (I’m working on the people-pleasing, I promise)

I’m a little nervous about being 21 and being a first year undergrad again though.

I’m not freshly 18 or 19 like most of the freshers and though I’d be technically classed as a mature student - I feel like I’m hardly mature. I haven’t got the life experience or anything. I’ve only just turned 21 and I’ve spent the last year working on my health so apart from that I’m essentially fresh out of school (mentally?)

I don’t feel like a freshly turned 18 year old or a proper adult either. It’s like I’m tightrope walking on the mature students line but I don’t fit into either category.

I’m sure I’m probably overthinking this. I just haven’t seen many other people on here who are at the start of their 20s and only just going into their first year of undergrad.

It would be nice to find a bit of a community or even just a few others who might also be in a similar situation

Hi there

It is nice to hear that you are choosing to pursue a degree that interests you.
I am sure there are many in the same position as you! I am nearly 21, but I do not feel like a proper adult either. There are many students who start University late. I have met many mature students in University, so you do not have to worry too much!

21 is not too different from 18, students at University often make friends with those in a same, higher or lower year group. I believe Universities often have a postgraduate social network that can be found through student union's social media. My university hosts quite a few post-graduate networking events, maybe there will be something similar to where you are applying for.

I hope this helps.
Chloe
University of Kent Student Rep

Hey guys!

I’d previously started studying law but ended up taking time out of uni part way through my second year for mental health reasons.

It’s been a year since then and I’ve realised I don’t enjoy law and I’ve decided to apply for Psychology, starting from year 1 of UG this September.

I’m honestly really excited to study psychology. I’ve loved it for ages - I just never let myself think of it as more than a personal interest/hobby. (I’m working on the people-pleasing, I promise)

I’m a little nervous about being 21 and being a first year undergrad again though.

I’m not freshly 18 or 19 like most of the freshers and though I’d be technically classed as a mature student - I feel like I’m hardly mature. I haven’t got the life experience or anything. I’ve only just turned 21 and I’ve spent the last year working on my health so apart from that I’m essentially fresh out of school (mentally?)

I don’t feel like a freshly turned 18 year old or a proper adult either. It’s like I’m tightrope walking on the mature students line but I don’t fit into either category.

I’m sure I’m probably overthinking this. I just haven’t seen many other people on here who are at the start of their 20s and only just going into their first year of undergrad.

It would be nice to find a bit of a community or even just a few others who might also be in a similar situation

Hey!
Unfortunately I can't offer any advice here however I wanted to let you know you are totally not alone in this! I will be going to uni age 21 this September, I went at 18 to study geography and it wasn't right for me and I left just before xmas. I've spent a few years doing lots of different things and even tried an apprenticeship and now I have decided that I am set on a sociology and politics degree. If you ever want to chat let me know, I'm super nervous but it's exciting too x

Hey guys!

I’d previously started studying law but ended up taking time out of uni part way through my second year for mental health reasons.

It’s been a year since then and I’ve realised I don’t enjoy law and I’ve decided to apply for Psychology, starting from year 1 of UG this September.

I’m honestly really excited to study psychology. I’ve loved it for ages - I just never let myself think of it as more than a personal interest/hobby. (I’m working on the people-pleasing, I promise)

I’m a little nervous about being 21 and being a first year undergrad again though.

I’m not freshly 18 or 19 like most of the freshers and though I’d be technically classed as a mature student - I feel like I’m hardly mature. I haven’t got the life experience or anything. I’ve only just turned 21 and I’ve spent the last year working on my health so apart from that I’m essentially fresh out of school (mentally?)

I don’t feel like a freshly turned 18 year old or a proper adult either. It’s like I’m tightrope walking on the mature students line but I don’t fit into either category.

I’m sure I’m probably overthinking this. I just haven’t seen many other people on here who are at the start of their 20s and only just going into their first year of undergrad.

It would be nice to find a bit of a community or even just a few others who might also be in a similar situation