RancidPunx Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Basically i've found a 1 year course that really sounds appealing, that i would have an interest in and that could lead to more interesting(not sure if financially lucrative) job prospects. Its IT based and i've worked in IT support for the past couple of years. Â However, i just turned 30 and feel as though i could be too old for this sort of thing. Â I don't have a mortgage, no kids , no debt and no repayments. I've been working for most of the past 6 years and kept costs down so financially i am not in a bad place as such. Â I would hate the notion of being a student but the way i see it is that i am not working now and would rather be somewhat productive for a year than sit on my hole. Â The down side is that being age 30 and in uni sounds terrible. Â Â What would you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetonic Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 My uni course had a lot of people 25+ on it - probably half the course were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members FLips Posted May 31, 2011 Paid Members Share Posted May 31, 2011 My mum went back to college last year to become a Teaching Assistant. It's working fine for her, she's acing all the work, got a placement at a local school and she's moving onto the next level of the course in September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rave Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Dude, do it. I'm 26 and in my first year at uni. It really isn't a big deal being older at all. I know of at least 20 people on my course who are around my age or older (in some cases much older) and my main 3 friends are 3 women in their 30's who all have kids and who I spent last year at college with. I was basically the same as you, not sure about being a student, but didn't have much going on and thought fuck it, why not?? It's turning out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made...honestly, if you enjoy the course, then you won't regret it one little bit!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimufctna24 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Started Uni at age 23 last year, really no big deal  On my access course to get there, there were people well in their 30's and 40's, go for it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Registration_Form Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I think if you have an idea that it will help you job-wise then definitely go for it. Saying that, though, make sure it's something you definitely enjoy and can see yourself putting the time into reading for, as going back to studies after working can be a bit of an adjustment. If you get a job while studying this can you spread the course to part-time/day-release? Â If you think you are financially stable enough that you could do it without part-time employment then I'd look into getting a volunteer position or something (obviously there'll be plenty of reading etc but, c'mon, you're a student you should have the time!) as that, I imagine, will boost your job prospects and ease your fear of laziness. I guess it may not be specifically relevant to I.T. Support but it's a decent way top vary your CV and earn different skills. You may be able to get something technology/computers-based (giving support to a charity or something I guess?) so could definitely be relevant . PLUS YOU'D BE DOING SOMETHING FUCKING NICE, ALRIGHT? Â I wouldn't worry about your age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Surf Digby Posted May 31, 2011 Paid Members Share Posted May 31, 2011 What are the chicks at this college like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsGirl Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I say go for it - I started a Medical Administration course back in January which I'm almost finished and celebrated my 30th birthday in February. On my course, we have students from the age of 18 all the way up to 46 and everybody mixes really well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mock-The-Cross Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Worst case scenario, the younger students would know their stuff more than you. Failling that the course may not be as advanced for you. Fair play to you though, I've not got the patience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockbus Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I'm halfway through a my undergraduate degree at the moment and I'm 32. Giving up my job and doing what I want to do is the best thing I have ever done for my motiviation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnum Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I may be somewhat biased in that I'm also 30 and have been in some form of education pretty much forever (did two MAs, currently doing my PhD), but I literally can't see any reasons not to do it from what you've posted. Â The 'notion of being a student' is just that, an idea in your head. Just because you're studying something doesn't mean you have to grow your hair, go on protest marches and start listening to the Libertines. The reality of it is simply a person trying to better himself and give himself more options in life. Look at all the people stuck in a pointless, mind-numbing job they hate and know they won't get better than simply because they can't afford to pack it in - a lot of people get trapped in that situation long before the age of 30, btw. You're lucky to have the freedom to do something like this, so if it feels like a good idea and doesn't represent a massive financial or professional risk, you've got nothing to lose from going for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Your Fight Site Posted June 1, 2011 Paid Members Share Posted June 1, 2011 Go for it. There's no reason not to. If you're wanting a career change or a taste in something different then there's no reason why not to go to college if you can afford if (or if it's paid for; even better). Â You may have the stigma from the younger ones as being "that older guy on our course" for a few days, but if you get them talking and actually show them you're a decent person and have the same interests, then it'll fade. I quickly found that out about college that it's a lot more forgiving than say secondary school. Â Best of luck and hope you do go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnum Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 You may have the stigma from the younger ones as being "that older guy on our course" for a few days, but if you get them talking and actually show them you're a decent person and have the same interests, then it'll fade. I quickly found that out about college that it's a lot less forgiven than say secondary school. Â Do you mean more forgiving? It seems that way from the tone of your post, and if so, I concur. I think college is definitely less divisive socially than secondary school (where the less bright kids are automatically considered 'hard' and not allowed to socialise with the 'swots') and university (where everyone quickly divides into cliques based on living in accomodation, living at home, whether they play uni sports, etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Your Fight Site Posted June 1, 2011 Paid Members Share Posted June 1, 2011 You may have the stigma from the younger ones as being "that older guy on our course" for a few days, but if you get them talking and actually show them you're a decent person and have the same interests, then it'll fade. I quickly found that out about college that it's a lot less forgiven than say secondary school. Â Do you mean more forgiving? It seems that way from the tone of your post, and if so, I concur. I think college is definitely less divisive socially than secondary school (where the less bright kids are automatically considered 'hard' and not allowed to socialise with the 'swots') and university (where everyone quickly divides into cliques based on living in accomodation, living at home, whether they play uni sports, etc). Yeah, sorry. Early morning spelling fail! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members lambyUK Posted June 1, 2011 Paid Members Share Posted June 1, 2011 To keep it simple, it's not a big deal at all and when you are there nobody cares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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