General Chat

i am 32 and wish to study nursing, but at my age and with 5 kids i think i may be letting myself in for too much. what do you think? it will be at least 3 years hard work wish i'm not afraid of but i'm just a bit worried about studying with people alot younger than myself

Go for it - you'll have a ball! Good luck. Tina

No, you are not, soon your children will grow and leave home and you will be forever kicking yourself...

My friend was older than you when she put herself through uni and became a teacher, also if I had the money I would LOVE to do it and I'm 52.............go for it girl.................

No No No and in case you weren't sure what I meant NO! I am sure you will find others on your course that are as old if not older than you! Go for it! Julie xxx

Clare you are not too old but can you cope with the course work and look after your family? If so then go for it! Anne xx

Go for it, or you'll be forever asking 'what if...?'

No Never too late know many friends who went (some a lot older than you) and now doing what they wanted to do - Go for it and make the family help you more Norah

Goodness No! Recently, in the local newspaper was an article about a seventy year old lady who went to night classes to get her primary school diploma. She never knew how to read or write! I think that it is a wonderful achievement. If it makes you happy ..Go for it!!! Lindy ;-)))

i've just finished a diploma in anatomy and pysiology and started one in mental health and psychiatry so i am not too worried about the coursework

Clare, Your not to old Honest. I'm studying Nursing and how time has flown. I'm now coming to the end of my 2nd year, but it seems like yesterday that I was having my interview for the course. I did an access course to top up my qualifications as the subjects I had were not broad enough for the uni's. I was the baby on the course at 20 but some of my friends on the course were about 30 and others in their 40's with teenage children. Now one of my best friends on the course is (I think, she won't tell us exactly) about 30 and many of the others on my course are deffinatly in their 40's. So your 32, give it a year or two to get on a course (limited places so it can take a bit of time) so by 34 you'll be on the course and graduate at 37. that still gives you 25 - 30 working years before retirement. And being a mother will have given you alot of skills you may not realise you have (peacemaker, time management, compasion, multitasking, organisation). You have alot to offer so why not give it a go. xx

Claire, if you've got that far then it would be crazy to give it all up just because you think you are too old. If you don't do it then in years to come you will be kicking yourself...

Thanks, i'm really lucky i have enough qualifications and for experience i work in the hospital. i am going to an open day next month so i will see exactly what is on offer

I started my degree at the age of 43 (part time whilst I worked)and it took me 5 years. I graduated at the age of 48 last year. Go for it girl !!! Viv

My mother-in-law is at college. She is in her 50's and most of the others are late teens but she absolutely loves it!! I'm 32 myself and would not let that put me off. So go for it:) joanne

Of course you are not too old, I did it at 50. A friend of mine who is twenty years older than you got his second BA recently and says he feels rather sheepish being a BA.,BA. An octogenerian has also taken an Open University degree. I know a thirtynine-year-old girl with two children who is embarking on a Science degree course. The 40-something year-old son of my neighbour is three years into a degree course in medicine. Len

Clare, dont make the same mistake that I did. I wanted to be a nurse from the age of 9yrs. All I read was Black's Medical Dictionary from the age of 10yrs for years on end and still facinated by anything medical. . Because I was the eldest 8 children eventually, money was very tight for my parents, so I had to get a job at the age of 15yrs, parents could not afford for me to go onto further education. So trained as a Dental Nurse. Married at 22 yrs had my children, Husband died at the age of 36yrs, and life passed me by. Really wanted to be a Midwife, but never got around to it. My 17yr old Daughter left school a year ago. She is at Fulltime college, doing a two year Pre- nursing advanced course, that will hopefully take her to University. It is the only way she can get into Nursing. She has always wanted to be a Midwife. Ok, she might change her mind and go into a different type of nursing. It will be hard for you , whilst you have small childen. but definatley not too late to get there. I wish you all the very best in your new venture, Stick at it girl. Just go for it, else you will regret like I do now. You are definatley not too old to start, Grace my Daughter is studying with 45 year olds. Jenny.

Not at all! Friend of mine did this and came out with her degree at 51. Mind from what she said it WAS hard work. As long as you've got someone to help you with the kids, GO FOR IT and all the best.

Thanks for all your support

Clare you must go for it and dont think you will be odd one out... I spent years thinking I was too old and kept putting it off. I had my 7th baby in December and this year I am doing just what you are doing, I'm 38 and was finally talked into it by my eldest son who is in his second year at uni himself. Shaz