going back to university - advice for mature students
Discussion
In a nutshell I currently work as a freelance graphic artworker. I've built up a small business in my spare time selling car parts, but want to grow the business in other areas.
so the thoughts of university are emerging. I'm seriously considering an automotive engineering course. My business should be able to pay me enough for most of my home bills (my part of the mortgage etc) but i'm nervous about the costs involved.
I already have a student loan from a previous art degree so would rather not add to that.
I'd love to hear of other peoples experiences of going to university as a mature student and if there is any sort of financial backing you can get (grants etc).
I'm s
t scared about the financial burden really and its a big step when you are 30 and have a house and a reasonable career to take a gamble and start again.
so the thoughts of university are emerging. I'm seriously considering an automotive engineering course. My business should be able to pay me enough for most of my home bills (my part of the mortgage etc) but i'm nervous about the costs involved.
I already have a student loan from a previous art degree so would rather not add to that.
I'd love to hear of other peoples experiences of going to university as a mature student and if there is any sort of financial backing you can get (grants etc).
I'm s
t scared about the financial burden really and its a big step when you are 30 and have a house and a reasonable career to take a gamble and start again.Depends on your circumstances, but always remember the "what if?" scenario!
I recently returned to higher education and I too am in my 30's with a morgage and my own business. I didn't get out of the course what I had intended to, but was surprised to find huge benefits in other areas. I lost around half my business which took 9 years to build up. But that will come back and with the extra knowledge and contacts I've made when I am back there I will be able to go much further than I would be able to without the study.
I used a combination of a loan and a grant. The grant basically paid for the course fees and the loan helped with bills. I worked as many hours as I could and so have some loan left over now to keep helping with bills until things pick up again.
The hardest part for me was to keep up with study with the long hours I was working. I would have got a much better grade in the exams if it weren't for this. However I did get through and pass everything I needed to. It's very frustrating though to be around a bunch of kids that waste their time when you're there struggling wishing you had their time on your hands!
Good luck!
I recently returned to higher education and I too am in my 30's with a morgage and my own business. I didn't get out of the course what I had intended to, but was surprised to find huge benefits in other areas. I lost around half my business which took 9 years to build up. But that will come back and with the extra knowledge and contacts I've made when I am back there I will be able to go much further than I would be able to without the study.
I used a combination of a loan and a grant. The grant basically paid for the course fees and the loan helped with bills. I worked as many hours as I could and so have some loan left over now to keep helping with bills until things pick up again.
The hardest part for me was to keep up with study with the long hours I was working. I would have got a much better grade in the exams if it weren't for this. However I did get through and pass everything I needed to. It's very frustrating though to be around a bunch of kids that waste their time when you're there struggling wishing you had their time on your hands!
Good luck!
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