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Mature student at freshers week

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I was just about to start a similar thread but I'll just post my question here; I'm the opposite from OP, is it okay not to go out for freshers and not be seen as a bit of a loser?

I really want to make friends and get involved with all the things going on at university both inside and outside of academic work. I like the idea of making friends to have study groups and join different clubs and societies but at 27 I just don't really feel up for going out and getting wrecked or going out and staying sober but still being around a bunch of wrecked people - even if I wanted to, I have a 20 hour a week part time job that just wouldn't allow it.

Don't get me wrong, I do like going out and socialising but in my mind, the whole freshers things just seems like a kinda bad way to meet people for the first time.


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(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 21
Original post by Squire1998
I was just about to start a similar thread but I'll just post my question here; I'm the opposite from OP, is it okay not to go out for freshers and not be seen as a bit of a loser?

I really want to make friends and get involved with all the things going on at university both inside and outside of academic work. I like the idea of making friends to have study groups and join different clubs and societies but at 27 I just don't really feel up for going out and getting wrecked or going out and staying sober but still being around a bunch of wrecked people - even if I wanted to, I have a 20 hour a week part time job that just wouldn't allow it.

Don't get me wrong, I do like going out and socialising button my mind, the whole freshers things just seems like a kinda bad way to meet people for the first time.


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I didn't go out on freshers week (I was 32 at the time), as I felt the same. I will be honest and say that people do form friendships in that week and because I wasn't out with people it took me until about January to start making friends properly. The best alternative is to try and join some societies and meet people that way :smile:
Original post by Clur.M.
I didn't go out on freshers week (I was 32 at the time), as I felt the same. I will be honest and say that people do form friendships in that week and because I wasn't out with people it took me until about January to start making friends properly. The best alternative is to try and join some societies and meet people that way :smile:


That's my plan at 34 and more or less t-total these days the nightlife does not interest me much but love sports/clubs so hoping I can find a way in through that.
I'm 29 and my only fear is outdrinking everyone and be left carrying them back :/ First time at uni so going to soak up the whole experience, seems rude not to :smile:
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 24
Original post by Dogofjudah
I'm 29 and my only fear is outdrinking everyone and be left carrying them back :/ First time at uni so going to soak up the whole experience, seems rude not to :smile:


Are you staying in halls?
Original post by Untrue
Are you staying in halls?


Indeed I am, that was the first thing I sorted and as I have been meaning to do a clear out (i'm a bit of a hoarder) I thought two birds one stone.
Reply 26
Original post by Dogofjudah
Indeed I am, that was the first thing I sorted and as I have been meaning to do a clear out (i'm a bit of a hoarder) I thought two birds one stone.


I am 27 and starting an Access course in a couple weeks, hoping to start a degree a year from now when i'll be 28.

Halls will be complicated for me as I currently have a fully-furnished flat. If i don't do halls though, then my options are very limited as I only have two universities within travelling distance and one of them has very high entrance requirements.
Yep, I'm pretty worried about this also.

I would be devastated to be considered creepy and would rather stay in than run that risk. On the other hand, I do want to make lots of friends and experience everything university life has to offer. I'm not sure I'll know what I'm going to do until the day of arrival.
Original post by TheThiefOfBagdad
Yep, I'm pretty worried about this also.

I would be devastated to be considered creepy and would rather stay in than run that risk. On the other hand, I do want to make lots of friends and experience everything university life has to offer. I'm not sure I'll know what I'm going to do until the day of arrival.


I think we're all in the same boat. :smile:

The uni I'm going have a mature students thing going on for two days but I'm not sure about the whole freshers week.

I guess I'll just play it by ear and see what the people I'm in halls with are like.
Original post by Untrue
I am 27 and starting an Access course in a couple weeks, hoping to start a degree a year from now when i'll be 28.

Halls will be complicated for me as I currently have a fully-furnished flat. If i don't do halls though, then my options are very limited as I only have two universities within travelling distance and one of them has very high entrance requirements.

That was the hardest thing for me to come to terms with initially as I have had my own place since I was 16. I just see it as in the end of the day it's just stuff. Do well at uni, get a good/better job, buy better stuff and that is what's helping me keep sane, especially after selling my dvd and cd collections :'(
Reply 30
Hi im 27 and starting uni this September was thinking and feeling the same Leedb. I think once you realise your not going to be the only mature student there makes you feel a whole lot better.
Reply 31
Original post by Untrue
I am 27 and starting an Access course in a couple weeks, hoping to start a degree a year from now when i'll be 28.

Halls will be complicated for me as I currently have a fully-furnished flat. If i don't do halls though, then my options are very limited as I only have two universities within travelling distance and one of them has very high entrance requirements.


Hi im in the same position. I have just completed an access course and now starting uni this year. Im 27 and will be living in halls as it cost too much too travel plus time. I have sold all my items i no longer need for the next three as i plan to stay in halls forthe duration of my degree.
Reply 32
Original post by Bcu16
Hi im in the same position. I have just completed an access course and now starting uni this year. Im 27 and will be living in halls as it cost too much too travel plus time. I have sold all my items i no longer need for the next three as i plan to stay in halls forthe duration of my degree.


You can only stay in halls for the first year here in Scotland, which makes it worse.
Reply 33
I'm 22 and I will definitely do all the freshers events , I'm super excited about it as I'm from another country and during my undegrad I never got the student experience everyone is talking about here , as we don't have any societies sports or events at uni :frown: . Btw, is being 22 and starting a postgrad degree considered a mature student?
Reply 34
I'm 29, three kids and getting married 2 days before I start Uni. I'm absolutely terrified that I'll spend the next 4 years with no one to talk to as it's not easy to get out when you're a mum and I don't want to be selfish.
Reply 35
Original post by Emizi
I'm 29, three kids and getting married 2 days before I start Uni. I'm absolutely terrified that I'll spend the next 4 years with no one to talk to as it's not easy to get out when you're a mum and I don't want to be selfish.

is that you in the picture? because if it is , you look stunning and don't look 29 at all, more like 20-22 :smile: !
I'm thirty and mum of 1. First time at uni and really can't see how I will fit in going out partying with everything else!


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Original post by Untrue
I am 27 and starting an Access course in a couple weeks, hoping to start a degree a year from now when i'll be 28.

Halls will be complicated for me as I currently have a fully-furnished flat. If i don't do halls though, then my options are very limited as I only have two universities within travelling distance and one of them has very high entrance requirements.


Repped for being a Burial fan!
Reply 38
Just a quick thing for those of you who are parents... you will be fine!

I have no kids, I'm not married etc and I am a 35 year old woman. And as weird as it sounds, this actually caused problems for me. Unfortunately at my uni almost all the mature students were parents and they grouped together, understandably, to compare their methods of handling the life/uni balance and to talk about their common ground - children.

Because i didn't have the same 'life experiences' as them I wasn't included, I will admit that the comments of 'it's ok for you, you have no commitments' were hurtful, and assumptions were made about me due to my assumed lack of commitments. I think I just had the bad luck of meeting people who were a little judgemental, I'm sure others aren't all like this.

I actually ended up becoming friends with the younger students, and not all of them (especially after 1st year) want to go out and get wasted every night, so chilled out nights in the pub, gigs and coffee/lunches and evening meals still occurred and I mixed with a variety of people.

If you are a mature student with children you will find dozens of similar students, if you don't have kids you will still fit in!
Reply 39
Original post by kiwi94
is that you in the picture? because if it is , you look stunning and don't look 29 at all, more like 20-22 :smile: !


Awww, thank you! Yeah it is, but it was after my make-up trial for my wedding :smile:. I still get ID'd but starting to get laughter lines now :smile:.

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