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Career change, going back to uni at 30+

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By (user no longer on site) OP     over a year ago

Anyone, mainly single working parents, managed to do this successfully?? I have a decent job which pays me alright money for what I do and more so the hours suit me with the kids etc.

My youngest child will be full time in school in September so this will give me a bit more flexibility altho I have excellent family support with childcare. I am a bit tied atm due to one of my children having substantial medical needs but this should stabilise over the next few years.

I just feel like I want a new challenge, but don't want to go biting off more than I can chew. I would still have to work whilst I went back to uni so I could pay my mortgage etc maybe agency work or just night work or whatever. Any success stories or advice more than welcome

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By * can fix it mikeMan  over a year ago

cardiff

Well the only advice I would say is follow ur heart do what u think is best. It's taken me 12 yrs to be where I am now and I missed a lot in those years with my girls growing up working 6 days a week 8 till 7 every day and still now find it hard to take time off to be with mine. So if I could turn back the clock I would be with my girls more but then they wouldn't have what they got now. Not sure if this is any advice but do what u think is right. Xx

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

It's difficult... had my son at 16 ...and was studying a levels in college then trying to work nights with agency to pay bills... it's hard juggling a home..children a job and studies. .. but go for it!

I'm doing a degree in Sept but through my new job so thank god will be earning whilst learning....

You will get bursuries and grants to help you...

What are you interested in studying? X

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By *ighugs69Man  over a year ago

Port Talbot

Have you looked into the Open University, haven't done anything with them myself but a co-worker was doing a course a few years back while holding down a full time job.

From what I understand you can do courses a section at a time, takes longer but would give you more flexibility.

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By (user no longer on site) OP     over a year ago

I would ideally love to be a paramedic but if I'm honest don't think I have the nerves for it as I've gotten older. If not then probably psychiatric nursing or maybe just adult nursing xx

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago


"Have you looked into the Open University, haven't done anything with them myself but a co-worker was doing a course a few years back while holding down a full time job.

From what I understand you can do courses a section at a time, takes longer but would give you more flexibility."

This. The OU is great.

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By *actileluvaMan  over a year ago

valleys

Go for it, I've know a lot of single mums go back to college and uni. It's tough but worth it.

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

Applying through clearing as we speak. Eek. Massively daunted!

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By *ighugs69Man  over a year ago

Port Talbot


"I would ideally love to be a paramedic but if I'm honest don't think I have the nerves for it as I've gotten older. If not then probably psychiatric nursing or maybe just adult nursing xx"

Or a sports physiotherapist, just thing about all the rugby players that you could be seeing

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By *elsh_lass74Woman  over a year ago

South Wales

As far as I remember, if you have been out of education for a while and want to go to uni, you need to do an access course.

For nursing it was access to humanities. Basic English, maths, biology, psychology and sociology.

Access courses fit in ideally with kids in school.

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By (user no longer on site) OP     over a year ago


"Have you looked into the Open University, haven't done anything with them myself but a co-worker was doing a course a few years back while holding down a full time job.

From what I understand you can do courses a section at a time, takes longer but would give you more flexibility.

This. The OU is great. "

I don't think I could do what I wanted to through the OU xx

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By (user no longer on site) OP     over a year ago


"As far as I remember, if you have been out of education for a while and want to go to uni, you need to do an access course.

For nursing it was access to humanities. Basic English, maths, biology, psychology and sociology.

Access courses fit in ideally with kids in school. "

Yes I know I could do an access course part time 2 evenings a week. But I may not have to as I am currently doing another level 3 qualification through work and college part time so that may help my cause

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By (user no longer on site) OP     over a year ago


"I would ideally love to be a paramedic but if I'm honest don't think I have the nerves for it as I've gotten older. If not then probably psychiatric nursing or maybe just adult nursing xx

Or a sports physiotherapist, just thing about all the rugby players that you could be seeing "

Haha

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By *elsh_lass74Woman  over a year ago

South Wales


"As far as I remember, if you have been out of education for a while and want to go to uni, you need to do an access course.

For nursing it was access to humanities. Basic English, maths, biology, psychology and sociology.

Access courses fit in ideally with kids in school.

Yes I know I could do an access course part time 2 evenings a week. But I may not have to as I am currently doing another level 3 qualification through work and college part time so that may help my cause"

You should be able to apply straight to the college of nursing then.

Just remember with nursing its a few weeks in the classroom then a few weeks on the wards doing their shift timetable.

Not easy as a single mum with young kids. But good luck xx

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By (user no longer on site) OP     over a year ago


"As far as I remember, if you have been out of education for a while and want to go to uni, you need to do an access course.

For nursing it was access to humanities. Basic English, maths, biology, psychology and sociology.

Access courses fit in ideally with kids in school.

Yes I know I could do an access course part time 2 evenings a week. But I may not have to as I am currently doing another level 3 qualification through work and college part time so that may help my cause

You should be able to apply straight to the college of nursing then.

Just remember with nursing its a few weeks in the classroom then a few weeks on the wards doing their shift timetable.

Not easy as a single mum with young kids. But good luck xx "

I know....this is why I don't want to take on something I can't manage xx

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By *elsh_lass74Woman  over a year ago

South Wales

What about training to be a counsellor or psychotherapist? Once qualified you can choose your own hours.

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

I think it's fab that anyone decides to retrain just go for it - I m so happy I be set my own business up - just do it and good luck guys xx

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By (user no longer on site) OP     over a year ago

I seem to spend most of my life listening to other peoples problems....I must be the sympathetic sort as everyone seems to come to me with their issues. Don't think I could do it for a living

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

I've retrained twice through degrees. As I'm sure you will know it's all points based, so I'm sure you have the access partcovered. Go for it! Now or never, what do you have to loose?!

Randomly my friend has just qualified as a psychiatric nurse, worked whilst she studied. The only time She took off work was from November/December onwards in the final year, as she found it difficult to maintain her "normal" job, alongside the nursing hours, plus the studying, dissertation etc. she was very lucky in that her sister wrote quite a bit of her dissertation also lol

All I'd say is embrace it. It's only a few years, and your life will be richer because of it x

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By *onny-n-clydeCouple  over a year ago

cwmbran,

I was a single mum and went to uni at the age of 40 o do a phychology degree. It was difficult at times but gave me a massive sense of achievement. I say go for it girl. Never regret the things you've done, only the things you didnt have the courage to do. Good luck x

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By (user no longer on site) OP     over a year ago

Thanks everyone

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

I went back to Uni at 32 & then again at 36, after having 4 children. I'd recommend it to anyone, It was hard work, but I was prepared for that & I've more than reaped the rewards. Only you will know if the hard work is for you, but knowing the little I do about you, I'd say you're more than capable & committed. Add in the student lifestyle & I'm sure you'll fit in well

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago


"I went back to Uni at 32 & then again at 36, after having 4 children. I'd recommend it to anyone, It was hard work, but I was prepared for that & I've more than reaped the rewards. Only you will know if the hard work is for you, but knowing the little I do about you, I'd say you're more than capable & committed. Add in the student lifestyle & I'm sure you'll fit in well "

I'm also interested in this topic. Are the 4 kids compulsory?

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

I did my Uni years ago straight from A levels but my friend and two of my cousins and my mates husband went to Uni as a mature student. If that is what you want go for it love, . What does Delboy say

He/She who dares wins, who knows what future it could bring try it xx

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By (user no longer on site) OP     over a year ago


"I went back to Uni at 32 & then again at 36, after having 4 children. I'd recommend it to anyone, It was hard work, but I was prepared for that & I've more than reaped the rewards. Only you will know if the hard work is for you, but knowing the little I do about you, I'd say you're more than capable & committed. Add in the student lifestyle & I'm sure you'll fit in well "

I just want to make a better life for my kids especially for their futures etc. But I am quite an ambitious person and although I am passionate about my job I do now a lot had happened recently that makes me want out, I need a change but would never leave unless I had something "better" to go to

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago


"Anyone, mainly single working parents, managed to do this successfully?? I have a decent job which pays me alright money for what I do and more so the hours suit me with the kids etc.

My youngest child will be full time in school in September so this will give me a bit more flexibility altho I have excellent family support with childcare. I am a bit tied atm due to one of my children having substantial medical needs but this should stabilise over the next few years.

I just feel like I want a new challenge, but don't want to go biting off more than I can chew. I would still have to work whilst I went back to uni so I could pay my mortgage etc maybe agency work or just night work or whatever. Any success stories or advice more than welcome "

It's a bold move, but one which can reap huge dividends if you get it right.

When I did it a few years ago, I tried to balance doing an MBA with a full-time AND a part-time job and ended up burning myself out and not completing my studies, but I was trying to do way too much all at once.

There's absolutely no reason that you can't make a great success of this, but what I will say is please make sure you plan some 'me time' in there so you don't repeat my mistake.

And the very best of luck to you with it.

Rich. XX

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

Go for it hun you have nothing to lose.and I know your more than capable

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

3 years ago my life changed somewhat when I became a full time carer for my son, which gave me a lot of spare time on my hands....

I decided to do an openings course with the OU, which I enjoyed immensely so I have carried on and am now in the second half of my second year of studying for a BA in Humanities with Art History....

and for a while I was also a volunteer for the OU in Wales

My son is 10 and to say he needs a lot of looking after would be an understatement....

I just turned 50 and I would have to say doing that initial course was the best thing for me at the time

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago


"I went back to Uni at 32 & then again at 36, after having 4 children. I'd recommend it to anyone, It was hard work, but I was prepared for that & I've more than reaped the rewards. Only you will know if the hard work is for you, but knowing the little I do about you, I'd say you're more than capable & committed. Add in the student lifestyle & I'm sure you'll fit in well

I'm also interested in this topic. Are the 4 kids compulsory? "

Nah, but the sandals & cardi were

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By *ighugs69Man  over a year ago

Port Talbot


"I went back to Uni at 32 & then again at 36, after having 4 children. I'd recommend it to anyone, It was hard work, but I was prepared for that & I've more than reaped the rewards. Only you will know if the hard work is for you, but knowing the little I do about you, I'd say you're more than capable & committed. Add in the student lifestyle & I'm sure you'll fit in well

I'm also interested in this topic. Are the 4 kids compulsory?

Nah, but the sandals & cardi were "

Matching denim jacket and jeans with a heavy metal tour t-shirt were compulsory back in my day, but it was the 80s

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

Your deffinatly smart enough to do it

It's a case of channelling time that might be on here or having meets into sitting down at the laptop.

Soon many people I know our age are looking to make changes in their life now!!

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By (user no longer on site) OP     over a year ago


"Your deffinatly smart enough to do it

"

Probably the nicest thing you've ever said about me

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By *hris n TwinkyCouple  over a year ago

Swansea

I (twinky) did but with the open university, whilst working , bringng up two young kids and a messy split up subsequently I achieved my degree (with honours). Takes hard work dedication and more importantly time management.

Good luck. Wish you all the best if I can do it anyone can x

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By (user no longer on site) OP     over a year ago

Aww thankyou

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

Dont be scared of the work. I have just graduated at 40!

There are some great distance learning degrees out there for all subjects. I did mine all the way in Derby and only had to go to lectures every other month. The rest was done online and by post.

As long as you get the right balance of study time you will be fine.

Im going on to do an honours now as I enjoyed it that much.

Best of luck

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

Go for if P xxxx

Ambition is fucking critical

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By *hocksandmissusCouple  over a year ago

Chester-ish

I Mrs have just graduated this year after going back to uni at 38 doing law and criminology. now what I can tell you is its a hell of a lot of work trying to keep a home running kids doing what there meant to do hubby doing what hes meant to do and still trying to find the time to do your uni work. now saying that it has also probs been the best 3 years I have had loved uni met some great people and came out of it with a 2.1. so my only advise would be prepare to work hard but also enjoy it xxxxxx

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By (user no longer on site)  over a year ago

Good luck babe, you'll do Fab. Follow your dreams xx

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