Entering uni at 20 and graduating at 24
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
Reply 1
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
I'm not sure why you'd think you are 'too old' to make friends with anyone. Many students take a gap year or 2 before starting uni. You have different students starting at different ages.
I'm a mature student and I'll make friends with whomever I get a long with. What will happen when you enter the work force? You'll meet people who are young and those that are older you.
1.
Why would a 24/25 year old be undesirable to an employer? Pension age is currently 67. You've got plenty of years ahead of you and there are many that work past the age of 67.
2.
A STEM degree is highly sought for these days. I'll refer you to article;
Reply 2
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
You are never too old to go to uni or make friends! When I was studying straight from A-Levels, I made friends with peers in their 40's who were in my group 🙂 You learn so much from those both older and younger than you, and lots of people enjoy this part of uni!
The fact that you will potentially be holding a degree will make you a desirable candidate regardless, as you will have gained a lot of experience during your studies and skills that are desirable 🙂
It is important to remember that you will be studying for 3 years, so you want to make sure you are passionate to go into your chosen field. With the experience and skills that uni gives you, I think it is 100% worth the hard work!
Reply 3
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
Hiya,
As a mature student i understand these concerns but please don’t be put off by your age! I have just graduated and I’m 33!! You’re never too old to study and have a career change so please don’t worry about this.
You will not be too old to make friends. I think you will be surprised that there is a wide range of ages on most course in university. In my cohort the ages ranged from 18 to 42. We have all made friends with people from different age groups. Age doesn’t mean anything if you get along with someone and enjoy doing the same things. I did worry about this before starting and I was so surprised when I started to find that actually most of my cohort were considered mature students.
Regarding your second question - this will not put employers off at all. Employers are interested in you and what you can bring to a company and not your age. In fact as an older graduate you will potentially have more life experience and transferable skills that you can offer to an employer. Definitely do not worry about this. People of all ages have career changes and study. While not on my course, I have met students in this 50s and 60s!
While I can’t speak for your particular course, I would still say it is 100% worth it! If this is something you want, you have to go for it. I wasted so much time before starting because I worried about my age and whether it was even the right decision. In fact if I hadn’t wasted that time, I would have graduated 2 years ago!
You will never regret going for something that you want but you might regret not going for it! Remember this decision also doesn’t define the rest of your life. If you want a career change in future then you can and maybe you’ll study again. Nothing is set in stone! You will not regret going to university if this is what you really want!
I hope this helps and good luck moving forward 🙂
Sophie (ARU)
Reply 4
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1 and 2 are rubbish. First, it's not like you're in your 50s, is it? Second, where on earth did you get that idea from? Employers would, if anything, prefer someone a little more grown up.
And 3 depends on you and your circumstances, but in general STEM degrees lead to better jobs and higher income.
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
The way I see it is..You're going to turn 24 anyway, so why not do it with a degree. There are so many 'mature' students on campus and honestly it's no different. You'll make friends through your course and housemates and you can even join a club or society to meet friends that way too. Employers will be looking at your skillset not your age- just make sure you stand out for the right reasons.
Reply 6
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
Hi there!
Personally, I didn't notice if people were a couple of years older than me when I started university so I wouldn't say it being 20 is something to worry about. One of my friends was 23 when he started and I didn't know until he told me. Graduating at 24 won't make you undesirable to employers as you can attend university at any age and having a degree may make you seem more desirable to employers.
As for whether its really worth it, it depends on what you want to get out of your university experience. Some jobs, especially in STEM, require you to have a degree so if you want to work in that field then it is definitely worth it!
I hope this helps😃
Lottie, Graduate Advocate
Reply 7
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
hello! ahhh i'm literally the same 🥲 i'm 20 too and going to a RG uni, graduating at 24 with you too, twinss hahahah
Reply 8
Dw, I'm entering uni at 22 and I'm going to graduate at 27 if that makes you feel any better!
Reply 9
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
Look, I'm in the same boat, except that I'll be done with uni at 23. Although idk what your reasons are for starting uni at this point is, I would just be looking forward to this new and exciting experience that is approaching. Also you can befriend ppl in 3rd year who will be the same age as you through societies & also through your course.
Reply 10
Original post by Anonymous
Look, I'm in the same boat, except that I'll be done with uni at 23. Although idk what your reasons are for starting uni at this point is, I would just be looking forward to this new and exciting experience that is approaching. Also you can befriend ppl in 3rd year who will be the same age as you through societies & also through your course.
I'm starting uni because at age 18, 19 I tried a few alternatives, didnt like them lol.
So what do you make of uni at a slightly older age then? Was it fine
Reply 11
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
Hi there!
Starting university can be really daunting, especially if you feel you'll struggle to relate to other students, but I would say that starting uni at 20 is not too different from starting at 18! I myself am a year older than most people in my current year, as I did a placement year, and loads of people I've met through societies have begun their degrees at 20 or older, and have had a very similar experience to those that start straight out of A-levels. Loads of people choose to take gap years, or get work experience before they start uni, so you'll definitely not be alone there!
I would also say that regardless of your age, if you're looking for a job in a certain field, a degree can really add value to your application, and also give you the opportunity to develop transferrable skills that you can apply to any career. It's a good idea to look at your university's career service if you're nervous about this, and even talk to them about career options for your course, and the support that they can provide you, as this would help to give you a better idea for your specific degree.
Hope this helps!
Eryn - Portsmouth Student Rep 🙂
Reply 12
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
HI there,
I know lots of people have already replied to this and given you some great advice and help with this, however I thought I'd still reply as I was in the same position when I started uni and was a bit worried about it too!
In terms of making friends, it really doesn't matter if you are a year or two older than others. It isn't much of an age gap and the difference between 18 and 20 doesn't seem like much. There will also be lots of people at uni who have had a gap year (or two) so it's not like everyone will be 18 and you are the only one who will be 20- there will be a mix of people starting aged 18,19,20,21 plus lots of mature students too! You really won't notice the difference so it shouldn't affect you making friends at all. Sometimes some accommodations will try and put similar age people in the same flat so you might be living with people who are a similar age to you anyway!
Don't let your age put you off making friends and talking to people. Nobody will think anything of you being 20 so still make sure you are talking to lots of people and making plans with people. Look into joining a society too as these are great ways of making friends!
You will still be desirable to employers at 24! Lots of people finish university at 22 if they do a four year course and 24 is really not that much difference to that. It won't make a difference that you are 24 so don't worry about this and don't let this put you off going to uni. You will have a degree and that is what matters to employees.
Yes, if you want to do a career that requires you to go to university and get a degree, it is worth going. Otherwise you will have to think about getting a different career or you will end up having to go to uni later on in life anyway so you can do the job that you want to do.
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador. 🙂
Reply 13
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) a 20 year old is indistinguishable from an 18 year old at a university. You look and act the same. It won't be an issue. Also if I, a mature student a fair bit older than that, was able to at least make congenial acquaintances (given I wasn't actually looking to make friends per se) at my uni, I'm sure you will have no problem. Finally note that at 20 you're not even considered a mature student by unis...you're basically a school leaver who did 2 gap years or something. Literally a non-factor on any front.
2) It's illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of age. Also they literally wouldn't care if you're 24 or 21, as even if they were discriminating on the basis of age (which while illegal, does happen) this would tend to be an employer discriminating against someone in their 50s or 60s by somehow favouring those who are younger (e.g. 30s)...who cares about whether they're 24 or 21. If anything they might feel a 24 year old is more likely to actually show up to work on time regularly and not pull a sickie because they were out drinking the night before...?
3) this is entirely up to you. Bear in mind a STEM degree is no better than any other degree - research has found STEM and non-STEM graduates have equivalent career outcomes in the long run. So if that's the degree you want to do because either you're interested in it personally or it's formally required for what you want to do that's fine. If you're just doing it because you think somehow it will give you "better job prospects" and have little or no interest in the degree or in any roles specifically related to it, you may want to rethink if you would be better doing another course of more specific interest to you.
Reply 14
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
Hi 👋
No, you are not too old to make friends, please don't worry about this, there is a large mix of age groups here at Uni so there are always loads of people to make friends with.
Graduating at 24 is not a problem at all, please don't worry about this, you will have more life experience than some other slightly younger graduates so you could potentially use this as a competitive advantage for yourself.
I hope this helps!
Matt
Wrexham Uni Reps
Reply 15
Original post by Anonymous
I'm starting uni because at age 18, 19 I tried a few alternatives, didnt like them lol.
So what do you make of uni at a slightly older age then? Was it fine
So what do you make of uni at a slightly older age then? Was it fine
I haven't started yet but I'm due to start in late September.
So far I'm just finding the people on the girls group chats I'm on, a bit annoying (they keep raving on about student wristbands), but once term starts I'll probably give you a better update.
Reply 16
Original post by Anonymous
Yeah I know there is loads of eyerolls reading this but I seriously cant help but feel the following things:
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
1) Too old to be friends with anyone
2) If I graduate at 24 won't that mean I'm undesirable to employers?
3) Is it really worth it? (Going to a RG doing a STEM degree)
If anyone can provide advice or insight I'd be forever grateful.
I went to uni (also an RG uni) the first time at 22, had no issues making friends and I wasn't the oldest either. I career changed into engineering on an apprenticeship at 30, qualified at 34, got my DipHE at 37 and will get my MEng at 42ish.
Getting a degree at any age is just fine with employers, and getting yourself a degree in a STEM subject is just the same.
The 'STEM' world is a great place to be right now, especially with engineering, as employers are crying out for good people and looking to take people on. So a degree and some life experience will set you up just fine.
Relax, enjoy your time at university and make the most of the opportunities..
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