The Student Room Group

Will I be able to enjoy Dating and Social Life at 24 years old?

I was homeschooled, and I was raised isolated from other kids. I really hoped Uni would be a reset, where I could finally have a fulfilling social life, and enjoy my youth like everyone else.

For a variety of personal reasons that I will not get into, I could not get into Uni and I do not have A-Levels or Even GCSEs. I am fairly certain I will be able to handle the exams, I am well eduacted even though I have no formal Quals. I will be 22 in July, by the time I enter the foundation year course in 2026 I will be 23yrs old, and by the time I get into undergrad class and the dorms I will be 24yrs old. I will graduate at 26yrs :frown:

I really want to know if I can still experience School / Uni Youth Life somewhat or if it is truly over and time for me to move on. I was hoping I could party with my dorm, dress up for halloween costume parties, have crushes, date girls in the dorms, join clubs and societies, fool around town with lads, experience alcohol socially for the first, and in general just finally being with young people like myself, socialising and having fun, rather than be so ******* lonely and isolated.

I really doubt that anyone 18 or 19 will hang out, party with or most especially date a 24 year old man. It feels weird to me to even think about, what would most people think?

I really feel I will be lonely and lack romantic relationships in Uni, probably the only place left where I can be surrounded daily by young women who are single, similar age, and share my interests goals etc. After Uni dating becomes really hard and really soul crushing. Its a lot more inorganic than at Uni or School etc.

Any experiences or advice will help, especially if your younger, and have attended recently. Ask yourself if you or your friends really would be fine with it, especially dating and the social scene. I want to study and do well, but I cannot stress this enough, for me a very important part of Uni is enjoying my youth, socialising, and for the first time in my life getting to be around people my age and with shared interests, unlike later in life where its so difficult, in Uni you know everyone around you is on the same page, with the same interests etc. There is no other place like it.

Please be honest. Thanks all.

Reply 1

Nobody is going to have an issue socialising with someone who's 24. There'll be so many students in their early 20s and many who are much older than you, so you're not really going to stand out at all. I'm several years older than you and I've been treated completely 'normal' at university.

I'm not sure about dating, though, it's not like there won't be women in their 20s at university with you? It's not really important if teenagers don't want to date you? Perhaps my university experience is quite different but the idea of 'dating girls in the dorms' is a bit out of touch. I'm not saying people don't enter relationships but you probably won't be dating multiple women, over the space of one academic year, simply because of being in close proximity to them.

Reply 2

It will surprise you, once you get to Uni. that no-one cares how old you are, and that there will be undergrads in their 30s, 40s and older.

Reply 3

You're gonna be fine think of like students who do longer courses and are finished mid to late 20s eg. med. Also people will still wanna be friends with you despite your age lets say in your same year there is 19 yr old and ur 24 the gap really isn't actually that bad of 5 years it would be different if it was 8 or 10 years and your edging into a different generation.
Dating wise think of how many couples have a 5 year age gap I don't think 5 is too bad anything more may be pushing it but I think you are just there in the range considered 'normal'.
Just attend loads of societies and stuff, mingle with people in other courses maybe in different years- here you could make friends closer to your age if that's still bothering you!
Original post
by junesaree
I was homeschooled, and I was raised isolated from other kids. I really hoped Uni would be a reset, where I could finally have a fulfilling social life, and enjoy my youth like everyone else.
For a variety of personal reasons that I will not get into, I could not get into Uni and I do not have A-Levels or Even GCSEs. I am fairly certain I will be able to handle the exams, I am well eduacted even though I have no formal Quals. I will be 22 in July, by the time I enter the foundation year course in 2026 I will be 23yrs old, and by the time I get into undergrad class and the dorms I will be 24yrs old. I will graduate at 26yrs :frown:
I really want to know if I can still experience School / Uni Youth Life somewhat or if it is truly over and time for me to move on. I was hoping I could party with my dorm, dress up for halloween costume parties, have crushes, date girls in the dorms, join clubs and societies, fool around town with lads, experience alcohol socially for the first, and in general just finally being with young people like myself, socialising and having fun, rather than be so ******* lonely and isolated.
I really doubt that anyone 18 or 19 will hang out, party with or most especially date a 24 year old man. It feels weird to me to even think about, what would most people think?
I really feel I will be lonely and lack romantic relationships in Uni, probably the only place left where I can be surrounded daily by young women who are single, similar age, and share my interests goals etc. After Uni dating becomes really hard and really soul crushing. Its a lot more inorganic than at Uni or School etc.
Any experiences or advice will help, especially if your younger, and have attended recently. Ask yourself if you or your friends really would be fine with it, especially dating and the social scene. I want to study and do well, but I cannot stress this enough, for me a very important part of Uni is enjoying my youth, socialising, and for the first time in my life getting to be around people my age and with shared interests, unlike later in life where its so difficult, in Uni you know everyone around you is on the same page, with the same interests etc. There is no other place like it.
Please be honest. Thanks all.

Hi! 😊

Totally understand where you're coming from - uni can absolutely be a fresh start, and there are lots of mature students who have taken different paths into higher education, so you definitely won’t be the only one around your age!

Just wanted to point out to you that most unis run societies which are a great ways to meet people with shared interests (: - Many societies run regular events throughout the year, things like games nights, pub crawls, workshops, or just chilled meetups - and they tend to attract a wide mix of students, including postgrads and other mature students.

You’ll definitely be able to find your crowd and enjoy the social side of uni. The experience isn’t limited to one age group - it’s really about putting yourself out there and getting involved in the things that interest you, events give you a chance to do this and it be a bit less awkward meeting new people for the first time! (:

Hope this helps you feel a bit less nervous for uni!! - your not the only one 💜

Emily
Year 3, Chemistry
Official University Of Strathclyde

Reply 5

Original post
by junesaree
I was homeschooled, and I was raised isolated from other kids. I really hoped Uni would be a reset, where I could finally have a fulfilling social life, and enjoy my youth like everyone else.
For a variety of personal reasons that I will not get into, I could not get into Uni and I do not have A-Levels or Even GCSEs. I am fairly certain I will be able to handle the exams, I am well eduacted even though I have no formal Quals. I will be 22 in July, by the time I enter the foundation year course in 2026 I will be 23yrs old, and by the time I get into undergrad class and the dorms I will be 24yrs old. I will graduate at 26yrs :frown:
I really want to know if I can still experience School / Uni Youth Life somewhat or if it is truly over and time for me to move on. I was hoping I could party with my dorm, dress up for halloween costume parties, have crushes, date girls in the dorms, join clubs and societies, fool around town with lads, experience alcohol socially for the first, and in general just finally being with young people like myself, socialising and having fun, rather than be so ******* lonely and isolated.
I really doubt that anyone 18 or 19 will hang out, party with or most especially date a 24 year old man. It feels weird to me to even think about, what would most people think?
I really feel I will be lonely and lack romantic relationships in Uni, probably the only place left where I can be surrounded daily by young women who are single, similar age, and share my interests goals etc. After Uni dating becomes really hard and really soul crushing. Its a lot more inorganic than at Uni or School etc.
Any experiences or advice will help, especially if your younger, and have attended recently. Ask yourself if you or your friends really would be fine with it, especially dating and the social scene. I want to study and do well, but I cannot stress this enough, for me a very important part of Uni is enjoying my youth, socialising, and for the first time in my life getting to be around people my age and with shared interests, unlike later in life where its so difficult, in Uni you know everyone around you is on the same page, with the same interests etc. There is no other place like it.
Please be honest. Thanks all.

Hi there,

I understand how you feel and I think that a lot more people than you think aren probably in the same position as you are.

Firstly, when you get to uni you will find that there are so many people of all different ages and you really do not need to worry about this. On your course there will be lots of people of all ages and you will meet people your age, younger and older. I think that people care less about your age at uni as it is such a mix and is hard to tell anyway!

I think that joining societies would be a good idea. There are so many and again there will be such a wide range of people here of all different ages so you will find some people who you can connect with who are your age, or even if they are not it won't matter. It is worth having a look when you join!

In terms of where you are living, I am sure that there will be a mixture of people here too. You could always request to live with people who are your age if you are really worried about it as I am sure they can try and do this.

I think that the main thing is that you don't dwell too much on the age thing. If you make it a big deal then it becomes more of a bigger thing, but if you just don't worry about it chances are other people won't think about it either!

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador.

Reply 6

Hi there!

I just wanted to reiterate what other people have said, you have absolutely nothing to worry about!

People start university at all different ages and if you are only a few years older, people will likely not even notice. Your social life will be completely dependent of how much you put yourself out there to meet new people, whether these are people your ages or older/younger.

Societies are also a great way to meet people that you have similar interest to and you can join as many as you want. You can always try out a few different societies even if you don't end up sticking to them the whole time that you are at university.

From a personal point of view, I met my boyfriend while were were both in first year of uni, I was 19 and he was 23. He lived in student halls, albeit different halls from me, and never had an issue with making friends, most didn't realise he was slightly older until he told them!

I hope this helps ease your worries a little bit!😃

Lottie, Graduate Advocate
Original post
by junesaree
I was homeschooled, and I was raised isolated from other kids. I really hoped Uni would be a reset, where I could finally have a fulfilling social life, and enjoy my youth like everyone else.
For a variety of personal reasons that I will not get into, I could not get into Uni and I do not have A-Levels or Even GCSEs. I am fairly certain I will be able to handle the exams, I am well eduacted even though I have no formal Quals. I will be 22 in July, by the time I enter the foundation year course in 2026 I will be 23yrs old, and by the time I get into undergrad class and the dorms I will be 24yrs old. I will graduate at 26yrs :frown:
I really want to know if I can still experience School / Uni Youth Life somewhat or if it is truly over and time for me to move on. I was hoping I could party with my dorm, dress up for halloween costume parties, have crushes, date girls in the dorms, join clubs and societies, fool around town with lads, experience alcohol socially for the first, and in general just finally being with young people like myself, socialising and having fun, rather than be so ******* lonely and isolated.
I really doubt that anyone 18 or 19 will hang out, party with or most especially date a 24 year old man. It feels weird to me to even think about, what would most people think?
I really feel I will be lonely and lack romantic relationships in Uni, probably the only place left where I can be surrounded daily by young women who are single, similar age, and share my interests goals etc. After Uni dating becomes really hard and really soul crushing. Its a lot more inorganic than at Uni or School etc.
Any experiences or advice will help, especially if your younger, and have attended recently. Ask yourself if you or your friends really would be fine with it, especially dating and the social scene. I want to study and do well, but I cannot stress this enough, for me a very important part of Uni is enjoying my youth, socialising, and for the first time in my life getting to be around people my age and with shared interests, unlike later in life where its so difficult, in Uni you know everyone around you is on the same page, with the same interests etc. There is no other place like it.
Please be honest. Thanks all.

Hey,
Thank you for sharing so openly. It's completely understandable that you're hoping university will be a "reset" and that you want to finally experience a fulfilling social life and enjoy your youth that desire is valid, and you deserve it.

You can absolutely still experience university life to the fullest, including the social aspects you're hoping for. Your age won't be the barrier you fear it will be, and it's certainly not too late.
You're right that many students start at 18/19, but universities are incredibly diverse places with a wide variety of age groups. Many students, like yourself, take alternative routes or decide to come to university later. Being 22 when you start your foundation year, and 24 by undergrad, is common enough that you won't be an anomaly. I'm a few years younger than you, but some of my classmates are much older.


Regarding your specific desires for social life:

Parties and social gatherings: Yes, you can absolutely join in! Although many people picture an 18-year-old as the typical fresher, it's important to remember that social events like Halloween parties, club nights, and overall hangouts are enjoyed by students of all ages! It's a great way to meet new friends and have fun together. You won't be excluded from social life just because you're a few years older.

Clubs and Societies: This is perhaps the best way for any student to find people with shared interests and build strong friendships. Universities have hundreds of societies from course-specific ones to sports, gaming, debating, volunteering, and cultural groups. This is where you'll most easily find your community and connect with people who share your passions, regardless of a small age difference.

Meeting people and relationships: University brings together young adults seeking new experiences and personal growth. By getting involved in your courses and societies, you'll find plenty of opportunities to meet people and form meaningful connections.

It's normal to have worries, especially after everything you've been through. Your path to university, including your foundation year, shows your strength and determination. Focus on diving into your course and joining societies, while being open to meeting new people. You'll see that university brings together students from different backgrounds who share common goals and interests.

Wishing you all the very best in this exciting new chapter! 😊

Rachel - Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism

Reply 8

Original post
by junesaree
I was homeschooled, and I was raised isolated from other kids. I really hoped Uni would be a reset, where I could finally have a fulfilling social life, and enjoy my youth like everyone else.
For a variety of personal reasons that I will not get into, I could not get into Uni and I do not have A-Levels or Even GCSEs. I am fairly certain I will be able to handle the exams, I am well eduacted even though I have no formal Quals. I will be 22 in July, by the time I enter the foundation year course in 2026 I will be 23yrs old, and by the time I get into undergrad class and the dorms I will be 24yrs old. I will graduate at 26yrs :frown:
I really want to know if I can still experience School / Uni Youth Life somewhat or if it is truly over and time for me to move on. I was hoping I could party with my dorm, dress up for halloween costume parties, have crushes, date girls in the dorms, join clubs and societies, fool around town with lads, experience alcohol socially for the first, and in general just finally being with young people like myself, socialising and having fun, rather than be so ******* lonely and isolated.
I really doubt that anyone 18 or 19 will hang out, party with or most especially date a 24 year old man. It feels weird to me to even think about, what would most people think?
I really feel I will be lonely and lack romantic relationships in Uni, probably the only place left where I can be surrounded daily by young women who are single, similar age, and share my interests goals etc. After Uni dating becomes really hard and really soul crushing. Its a lot more inorganic than at Uni or School etc.
Any experiences or advice will help, especially if your younger, and have attended recently. Ask yourself if you or your friends really would be fine with it, especially dating and the social scene. I want to study and do well, but I cannot stress this enough, for me a very important part of Uni is enjoying my youth, socialising, and for the first time in my life getting to be around people my age and with shared interests, unlike later in life where its so difficult, in Uni you know everyone around you is on the same page, with the same interests etc. There is no other place like it.
Please be honest. Thanks all.

Hey! I’ve been building RatemyUni to help students share their university experiences. It would really help if you could leave a review of your unviersity experience and share it with friends! https://www.ratemyuni.info

Reply 9

Hi there,

Just to add on to everyone else - it really doesn't matter how old you are at University!

Both of my parents started university in their mid-30s and made their own friends and social groups, despite being some of the oldest students in their classes. My partner started uni at 23 and integrated into our social groups quite easily, so I really wouldn't worry about it

Most people at Uni don't really talk about how old they are either - I only found out a friend of mine from my course is 8 years older than me quite recently, as I just assumed he was a similar age to me (doesn't help that he looks very young)!

I recommend joining some societies aligned to your interests to meet people outside of your course group, so you don't have to just rely on one social group, and have multiple opportunities to meet people :smile:

Don't let yourself overthink it, and good luck for the future!
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)

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