50, complicated life, excited but scared

Hi, you sound just like me. I'm also 50, and have two disabled adult children (and a dodgy neck - prolapsed disc!) I had to give up work years ago to care for my family, but I was able to start an Access to HE course the September after my youngest finished school and started in adult daycare. I'm about to go into the second year of a physics degree and it's been great so far.

It's been pretty tough to fit everything in, as I also have a pretty long commute: one and a half hours each way. I just about managed to keep up last year, and I've been working right through the summer holidays to make sure I'm as well-prepared for next year as I can be. Holding down a part-time job as well would have been too much for me, but if your university is local, and you work from home, you may cope. I would have a serious think about whether you can manage financially without working. You won't be able to claim carer's allowance or income support if you receive student finance, but you may find that the student loan/grant is enough to live on, if your children are in receipt of DLA. Do get specialist advice on what you may be entitled to claim.

Best of luck at Hull. What will you be studying?

Hi. I'm going to Hull too! I'm 36 and have three boys with autism. What are you studying. Did you get dsa?

thank you so much for replying - you sound to be a juggler like me 😊 my boys are 17 and 18. I'm about to start an honours degree in education, social inclusion and special needs at Hull Uni. I only made the decision to finally go for it last week and everything has happened scarily quickly. I got my confirmed offer on Thursday. My job is 20hours a week but very flexible and from home. I'm having to pay my first years tuition as I did an hnd when I was 18 so need to keep working at least for a year if I possibly can. My biggest worry is managing physically as I can only sit down for about 20 mins at a time. Do you get any disabled students support?

wow, 3 boys with autism....i have one with autism and some complex and challenging behaviours, and the other with Tourettes, ADHD and some learning difficulties. They are both a bit older now (17 and 18) and doing well (fingers crossed) so I finally feel able to do something for me....do worry about one of them going back into crisis but hopefully that won't happen and if I don't do this now I probably never will. How old are your children and how do you juggle your caring responsibilities?

I don't get disabled students support, but it sounds as though you should be eligible for it, if not in your first year, then at least once your student finance entitlement kicks in. Have you talked to Citizen's Advice recently? It might be worth making an appointment so that they can have a thorough look at your situation. If your boys have a social worker, you should probably talk to them too, in case you may be able to get more support.

Well done on getting a place so fast - exciting times ahead!

Hi everyone
I've just joined the forum and am hoping for some advice and reassurance. I'm a 50 year old mum who has two disabled teenage sons. I have put off my own plans and dreams for years because of my caring responsibilities and because I have some physical difficulties after fracturing a vertebrae in my neck back in 2000. I've just turned 50 and today accepted a place at Hull Uni. I'm terrified but so excited but...I'm planning on continuing to work part time from home and am worried about juggling everything. Are there other (very) mature students out there who can tell me how they did it - or if I'm just crazy😊 . Thank you.

I just recently completed the access course and it was very hard at times. My youngest (9) was getting sent home a lot at first and my middle son (12) couldn't cope at his new school so had to go to special one. It was hard. The two younger ones finish ridiculously early at 2:30 so I have to get lots of help or finish early. My oldest is 15 and gets home at 4:30 so not too bad. Thankfully I have an ex who pulls his weight and would rearrange his days to be there when the boys got home till I did.

At uni, I live really close. I'm more worried about my dog. I also get dsa help for anxiety and depression. So I guess I will just wing it and see how it works out. I managed to complete the access despite all these issues!

I'm no where near your position but would just like to say how amazing you are! It's brilliant that you've been accepted. It's never too late to follow your dreams. I wish you all the best, and hopefully you'll be able to manage

... Found the benefits system very stressful and happier to pay my own way if possible....

Hi everyone
I've just joined the forum and am hoping for some advice and reassurance. I'm a 50 year old mum who has two disabled teenage sons. I have put off my own plans and dreams for years because of my caring responsibilities and because I have some physical difficulties after fracturing a vertebrae in my neck back in 2000. I've just turned 50 and today accepted a place at Hull Uni. I'm terrified but so excited but...I'm planning on continuing to work part time from home and am worried about juggling everything. Are there other (very) mature students out there who can tell me how they did it - or if I'm just crazy😊 . Thank you.

I'm a mature student but I'm only 27 you lot give me inspiration! Ive put off education so far because I have severe mental health problems and if it wasn't for my own mum I wouldn't be going to uni in September. Well done everyone your amazing and good luck!


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