The Student Room Group

Masters in Social Work

Hi all.
I am a mature student (46) going to do a 2 year course starting on Monday. Now I am getting nervous though and contemplating pulling out before starting as its harder when your older . Things like fitting in and working around other problems in life take its toll.
Any advice greatly appreciated thanks.

Reply 1

I made a friend who also studied social work early this year. She was also older but not as old as you are, probably 36. According to her, she recently beat cancer and lost her dad almost the same time and needed someone to proof read an assessment that was due for submission.

As someone who have worked with students across various discipline for a long period of time, let me say this. It is hard combining work and study together at an older age but I have seen matured student do the impossible with Lazer focus and determination. If they can, you also can.

Don't pull out, start but you have to approach it with discipline and do the following.

Make friends with colleagues irrespective of age difference. The smart ones of course because they will help you improve academic.

Let your lecturers have a good perception of you. Achieve this by attending the lectures promptly, turning in your assessments before due date, and asking intelligent questions. You are matured and it should be easy due to age and work experience.

If you can, hire an academic tutor who pushes you to do more. There are time you will be down and no motivation to get up again. An academic tutor comes in and holds you accountable. In addition, they break complicated terminologies for you about a course and help you meet the assessment criteria of the course you will be working on. This is very important. I am an experience academic tutor with 5 years of experience. I am open to working with you if you ever decide to hire one.


With these, you will be done without even knowing you started.

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