Looking forward to going(back) to college???

patrickoneill0

Hi All,

Most of us that have applied to return to college as mature students, or starting for the first time as mature students, have received the good news *hopefully* that you have been accepted... So are people excited/nervous/dreading it/looking forward???

I have already completed an undergraduate degree in Computers, and am going back doing primary teaching undergraduate. It'll be a bit of a culture shock going back, and not having the money i've been used to for the last two years, but I'm genuinely excited, and happy that I feel I've finally made the right choice in career!

Any thoughts???

Pa

Ramones

Hi,

I've been offered a place pending my getting a C3 in the LC Irish back in June - roll on the 13th.

I'm 38, married with 3 kids so it will be a huge change for us but I honestly can't wait for it to start. The difference this time around is that I WANT to be there and I have a real goal at the end of the course. 20 years ago I was party time and I did just enough to get over the finish line.

I guess unlike my father I'm lucky to have the opportunity to revise where I am in life and I intend to grab it with both hands.

Best of luck

CB

cals

Hi,
I haven't posted on boards before. I was lookimg forward to going to college but now I'm confused. I'm a 37 yr old mature student and was offered early childhood education in DIT a few weeks ago. And then this morning I checked round zero of the CAO offers and I've been offered my first choice which was Education and Training in DCU. Does anyone know anyone who's done this course. I'm thinking that maybe academically it might be more difficult than early childhood ed. I've worked with both adults and children and enjoy both. I'm really not sure which course to do now. Anyone any advice - I only have till the 8th to make up my mind - and decisions don't come easy to me! Thanks

LadyMayBelle

I'm so excited you wouldnt believe it! I did an undergrad a few years back but now going back to do a two year full time masters..big commitment, but get butterflies at the thought of starting.how sad.

Pherekydes

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

I'm so excited you wouldnt believe it! I did an undergrad a few years back but now going back to do a two year full time masters..big commitment, but get butterflies at the thought of starting.how sad.

Graduated 2 years ago, now going back to do a full-time MA for 2 whole years. Like you, I'm getting nervous as it's getting closer.

Issac Hunt

Im excited/scared to death! lol

was freakin out a bit the last 2 weeks cus it looks like i wont get the maintenance grant and i thought i was gonna have to get a loan of a crap load of money from the credit union. But huzzah for studentfinance.ie

Turns out I'm eligable for free fee's after all. More than likely i'll still need to get a loan for the non-tuition fee's and student levy, not to mention rent deposit etc but alot less of a loan than i thought. Phew!

Also, the Student assistence fund(?) is a god send. The damn catch 22 of not having a job in order to avail of grants and need a job to pay for rent is a kick in balls. As i have said to a previous poster in this thread (Hi LadyPennyworth )

I've recently turned 25 and have been living at home for the past 4 years so it will be sooooo good to get back out on my own again! Just need that last piece of the financial puzzle to fall into place and i can relax before I start freaking out about the course work lol

orchidsrpretty

This will be my third:eek: try going back to college, and hopefully my last. I'm almost postive I have found what I want to do now. I'm still waiting to hear if I get the grant, when I find out I will start to get excited!!!! Also I'm gettting braces the week before college is due to start, so hopefully I wont look so out of place among all the spring chickens¬

Tzetze

I'm very much looking forward to getting started as well. Just a little over five weeks, and counting...

I got a cert. from GMIT ten years ago as a mature student, and now, at the ripe young age of thirty six, am heading into first year Astrophys in NUIG. (Would be nice to turn forty with a degree.) I did the foundation course in maths and science in NUIG last year and found the maths, especially, to be a great preparation for next year (fantastic maths lecturer from GMIT, some of you might know her), although I fully expect the work load to be amplified greatly compared to last year.

I'm excited about starting, and not at all nervous. All of the preparations, red-tape and bureaucracy involved in starting college are very stressfull though, I'll be a lot less stressed in three or four weeks when I finally hear word one way or another on grant/BTEA applications.

Best of luck to us all!

Mr Tim Buktoo

Im scared ****less! all that studying. dont know if il be able to keep the information locked inside. scary scary stuff

urban cowboy

Have to admit that the decision to go back to college has been a masive one for me....the biggest thing is giving up a well paid job in the construction end of things, the fallout being that if the whole college thing doesn't work out Im pretty much up the creak without a paddle:eek: ...as now is not the time to be packing in on the sites....but thats the extreme end of things. On the other side, the course that Ive picked, Im really interested in so thats whats kinda driving me on...
How has anyone else felt about going back and being in a class with students who are quite abit younger than yourselves...Im 30....just looking to settle my mind

johnnybmac

I'm 36 and in september i'll be going in to third year of a computing and networking degree. When i started first year, i was very nervous (especially about standing out like a sore thumb). Then again so was everybody else. There are actually a lot of mature students in college these days and i made loads of friends of all ages... So dont worry, enjoy the challenge and think of the rewards when its all over.

urban cowboy

good to hear and thanks for the reasurance...the whole college thing is brand new to me! Im sure it'll be grand once Ive started

Ramones

As mentioned earlier I'm 38 and needed a C3 today for Primary Teaching.

Studied the Irish syllabus since this time last year and came out today with a C1

Can't wait to start in September

Tzetze

Congrats Ramones, well done!
Good luck with the teaching course.

Geo08

Oh my gollygosh I'm sooo nervous/excited!! I'm soon to be 27 & going to be doing a Science degree at UCD.

Just waiting to hear from them if I qualify for free fees (I did a higher cert a few years ago) cause if I don't my dreams will be up in smoke

Was never very good at maths so nervous on that front, but my cousin offered a pearl of wisdom on the study side (he is a physics wizz)....

Learning (in my case maths) is like throwing ****e at a wall....eventually some of it will stick :rolleyes:

Good luck to all going back & get throwing

LadyMayBelle

I'm back on here again, a week later, the excitment is mounting (am I really sad?!) I can't really remember what I was like when I went into my undergrad, but I guess it was just a natural progression from the LC.

I reckon we should have a boardsie meet up of all the mature students in Septmber (unfortunetly just NUIG in this case) so we can all sit down and be mature nerds:)

Jaunte

I too am ridiculously excited, and I only left college 2 years ago!

Makes me smile at strangers in the street

abi2007

orchidsrpretty wrote: »

This will be my third:eek: try going back to college, and hopefully my last. I'm almost postive I have found what I want to do now. I'm still waiting to hear if I get the grant, when I find out I will start to get excited!!!! Also I'm gettting braces the week before college is due to start, so hopefully I wont look so out of place among all the spring chickens¬

lol... getting braces to fit in. I'm 25 and still get asked for ID so i should fit in just right.... might have to change my clothes a bit... get some studenty lookin ones!

Tzetze

'Return to learning seminar' for matures starting in NUIG on the 1st. Runs for four days. I guess I'll attend it. It'll be a good way to meet other mature students outside of my chosen course. It pushes the start date forward by a couple of weeks - two weeks to go!

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

I reckon we should have a boardsie meet up of all the mature students in Septmber (unfortunetly just NUIG in this case) so we can all sit down and be mature nerds:)

Great idea. Any other matures here for NUIG?

MissHoneyBun

Yay for going back to college, Nay for beauracracy.

KStaford

Hello everyone

I am 41 (oh dear sweet god!) There! I said it. Anyway, now that that's out of the way, here's my story.

I spent the last 4 years doing a degree in computing (software) at IT Sligo. Prior to going to college, I did their summer school (2 weeks in August 2004) designed to get matures re-accustomed to attending school. So I went in with a group of other matures none of whom were studying my course.

When I started 1st year I was a little apprehensive but after a few days I was making friends in the class. I found it very easy to make friends with some of my own class mates who were 18-19 years old and actually making friends with people that age is good for ya - it keeps you young and on your toes. Of course I also had some mature friends from the summer school but these friendships fizzled out as we were all on different courses.

After first year, I did well in my exams and immediately relaxed and got rid of all my fears about returning to education. I realized that I was well able for this game and that I was actually thriving at it and thoroughly enjoying it. I got my degree last year with distinction and got my 1st class honours degree this year. Not to mention that in the mean time I won the Imagine cup with my 4th year project, learned to scuba dive with the college scuba club, spent the summer of 2006 living and working in Alaska on a J1 student visa and made some great friends.

I made a promise to myself in 1st year that I would try and achieve a Masters degree. So after window shopping for courses at various HEI's round the country all summer, I applied for the Masters in Information technology at NUIG. Got accepted a few weeks ago, now have my bedsit setup and will be leaving Sligo over the next two weeks to start yet another new life in Galway.

As soon as I got my degree, doors started to open. I am headed to Canada hopefully in about three years time to live - the point is it's now a real option because I have qualifications. I also noticed during the summer that after putting my CV on Monster.ie, I was in demand with employers and recruitment agents.

It's a fantastic world out there, I want to do as much as I can and immerse myself in it because I realize that my life is very short. Education is a key, it’s not the only key but it's certainly my key. I got back into it by accident, never thought I'd ever see myself with a degree especially since I was bloody awful at school having failed my leaving cert (think I got 2 d's) years ago.

So, there is my story so far. I am very excited to be starting back at NUIG. What a beautiful campus, and a great city. And I see they too have a scuba club, and the new gym with a great swimming pool, and some nice restaurants and cafe's and it's all in the heart of this great city. Does it get any better ?

urban cowboy

KStaford, thats great to hear and congrats on achieving such a great degree!

I,m starting college for the first time at 31 and nervous/excited about it. When I've said to people that I'm going to college I've gotten some wide eyed looks. but to hear about your success re-installs my belief that I'm making the right decision:)

LadyMayBelle

Congrats on your respective courses!

patrickoneill0

Firtstly I'm delighted that this thread has taken off!

Well done to all who have been offered a place, and good luck with all your studies and extra curricular activities over the next year

I'm in "counting the days" mode at this stage in work, and can't wait for the challange of going back. I'm only out two years, so hopefully I'll get back on the horse easily enough. Next up, trying to get on to the Grad Dip for Ed!

Here's hoping... :eek:

abi2007

I'm starting to panic now.. I finish up in work on the 29th. I'm 3/4 years out of college. I'm going into year 4 of a course in a different college and i'm worried what i covered in college i've forgotten or that I have covered different stuff! I'm also concerned about money as I still haven't got the grant sorted out yet!

LadyMayBelle

You still have 8 more days so don't worry..all of us are panicing at some stage, esp having gone from years of full time work and the weekly wage, you will get thru it!

deise-lady

Oh God, I'm the oldest one here I think. (45).
Left school at 16, haven't set foot in a classroom since and, miracle of miracles, I've just been offered an MA course in WIT.
I'm nervous, excited, anxious and I CAN'T WAIT to get started.
Good luck to everyone.

Ramones

Fair Play to ya Deise. Get stuck in girl!

I wish my course was starting next week and not 3 weeks time

Taylieboo

I'm 32 going back to college in 3 weeks after working for 12 years.
So exciting i just want to tell everybody that i meet:o

KStaford

well done to everyone on here. You are all doing a great thing with your lives.
My advice to you all is to embrace the experience, join clubs and socs, get to know and become friends with your younger class mates and just go for it. Its brilllllllliant !!!

One academic tip I would also give you is this . . .
when you are given assignments, start work on them early. Don't let them build up til the last minute. Keep your work rate steady (don't peak and trough). It makes your life so much easier and you will score higher.

And remember, studying as a mature is easier than when you were younger. You are there cos you want to be, and because you made the decision. You will find that learning is not the chore that you remembered it to be. Just do a bit of work, when you come home at night, put asisde an hour or two for your schoolwork and I promise you - you will do well.

Dentalphobe

:)AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so feckin excited i could burst! I was really nervous but now i'm just bouncing off the walls! Yey!!!

& seriuosly, well done to everyone here for going for it & thanks for all the good advice.


:)AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

patrickoneill0

Nearly there Can't wait! Finished work Friday!!! WOHOOOO!!!

abi2007

me too! i'm counting down the hours to my last day in work!

motherfunker

Hi,
I'm a 3rd year mature student, married, 3 small kids, 2 dogs, mortgage, car loans, the whole package. It can get tough sometimes with projects due, pain in the ass lecturers, job and family commitments pulling you in 10 different ways, sometimes you just want to quit it all and just get a "fcuking job", but these feelings will all pass. Once you hand up that assignment or finish that exam then it is all good. It is a great feeling getting a good mark in a really hard subject, especially when all the 19 year olds are scraping 40's and you are knocking out 70's and 80's.
Just go in everyday, go to all your lectures, keep nice neat notes (very important), ask every question that pops into your head, dont be embarrased to speak up infront of the kids, they are even more lost than you.
If you are in a semesterised system you are lucky and unlucky. Lucky becuase your exams are only based on 3 months work, there is only so much they can cover in 3 months and it is all fresh in your mind, unlucky becuase they try to cram way too much into 3 months and to miss a day or 2 can be disasterous, I missed a whole exam question in 2 days.
As for studying, I passed all my exams with mostly very goor results from doing 2 hard days studying before each exam. Some subjects take a bit more ongoing work but most of them can be covered in this time, it is tough going, 8 hour days sitting in a room in college, 2 days in a row but it worked for me.
So many times I wanted to quit, so many times I came home depressed, so much time worrying about deadlines and extensions and pain in the ass lecturers (yes, I have a pain in the ass lecturer), but I am so glad I have stuck with it and at the end of this year hopefully I will have a good job and then my family can reap the rewards of the sacrifices they have all made so far.
I owe it all to my wife who has given up all her wages for the last 2 years to support me and allow me to do this. It keeps me going through the hard times thinking of all the presents I am going to buy for her and my kids when I am qualified, you have to have a dream.
Good luck with it all, you have made the right decision.

Taylieboo

Like you motherfunker, I have 3 children, husband, mortgage etc... but they are exactly the reason i am going back to college to make a better life for us in the long run. Well done to you by the way..

Geo08

Just registered my modules this morning (going to ucd) & now it all seems real & very very close

Im all nervous & excited at the same time :pac::pac:

moonbeam9999

deise-lady wrote: »

Oh God, I'm the oldest one here I think. (45).
Left school at 16, haven't set foot in a classroom since and, miracle of miracles, I've just been offered an MA course in WIT.
I'm nervous, excited, anxious and I CAN'T WAIT to get started.
Good luck to everyone.

Hi denise-lady,just browsing ,you are an inspiration,fair play,my mum who is 43 is also returning to third level, she does,however,find it annoying that there is not much funding,well for part time anyway.I am heading to ul next week and my dad works away,so Im glad she is doing something,I can see the tears,Im an only child.Best of luck with your course and career.

red_ice

Im 25, just got accepted to a course in digital media - im really excited as i dropped out of my 4th year in an hons degree in computer science because i realised i wasnt enjoying it at all and that the course was going nowhere for me! Prior to that i completed a 2 year nat cert in computing to get into the degree course.

I think i've hit the nail on the head now with what i want to do.. but at the same time i feel like i've been wasting away. This will be my 7th consecutive year in college. When i walk away with an hons degree it will be 10 years of college! I feel like such a waster, but then again on my interview i put forward a portfolio that knocked the socks off of them, i just know im gonna walk this course. So many things to look forward to, so many things im worried about!!

Good luck and fair play to everyone whos going(back) to college this year! For me im going in all guns blazing, gonna nail this course, im there for business!

atheist

Very excited.
For last year, school of hard knocks (grrrr, DSFA)
Will be doing HR @ NCI @ IFSC, should be enlightening.
Paid fee today (hope to get it refunded via grant in time...)

patrickoneill0

Starting tomorrow! Here goes nothing:)

moonbeam9999

patrickoneill0 wrote: »

Starting tomorrow! Here goes nothing:)

now thats no attitude to have,you are already expecting to fail,change the attitude,re-write that message with possitive affirmation.You should be very proud as should all the others.
Well done to all,gud luck.

deise-lady

Need some advice please.
I start my MA tomorrow - Haven't been in the education system since I was 16.
I have no CLUE what to wear tomorrow! Do I wear jeans? Should I dress smartly. HELP :eek:

red_ice

What are you wearing now? That will do... unless you use your computer somewhat naked.. that wont do.. or will it? (ill get me coat)

Wear what ever you want! Its not a fashon show! although i've booked myself in for a hair did on friday, well over due - this is my excuse!

deise-lady

hair do? A HAIR DO????!!!!

now why didn't I think of that.