I am a mature lady and I am going back to college tomorrow and I am terrified. Does anyone have any words of wisdom or reassurance?
I really need to do this as currently my company is paying an accountant for things I can learn to do and help save us money.
I think I'm just lacking in confidence due to being so long out of the class room and have visions of young trendy people ignoring the older person but hey-ho I 'm sure it will be fine.
Good luck with college tomorrow. Is your Company paying for the course? What course will you be doing? Don't forget as a mature student you will have a lot of life experience which other students will not and who knows there may be other mature students on the course. I went back to studying a year or so ago, but through a home study course so didn't have a college environment. It's only natural to be nervous but I'm sure you will fall right back into it What makes you think that the other students won't be as nervous as you? They may even look to you for encouragement....good luck and you'll be fine!
I have just finished my AAT at the grand old age of 49-I loved the college experience and the class had a mix of all ages from school leavers to retired ladies
I'm half way through an HND in accounts at evening class, just starting my 4th year. I felt exactly the same when I thought of it. Luckily the evening class tends to be full of similar people who work in the field during the day. At 27 I was one of the youngest on the course. I'm sure you'll enjoy every minute and make some new friends and useful business contacts.
I think people worry too much about the age thing. I went to university to study agriculture and came home to the family farm. This was right in the middle of Foot and Mouth and farming was struggling so my dad suggested one of us would have to get a part time job. He looked at me and i looked at him, and then it dawned on me, that he meant me!!!
So i got a job doing farm accounts, and whilst i was doing this i thought i enjoy this and i better get some qualifications in this, and so i went to my local college and did my AAT. I was probably about 23/24 i think when i did this. People are probably thinking I wasn't that old at that age (and to be fair i know think that i wasn't, now 30 seems a distant memory) but at that point everyone else was 16/18 and i felt old. However, i then went to Kaplan to do my ICAEW and a couple of times i couldnt meet their ACA timetable and i had to jump on their PWC specific course where everyone was graduate recruits. Then i really did feel old, however, i felt actually having some real world experience (common sense) held me in good stead compared to them. They are probably on twice what i am, (however i am certain i much prefer my job to theirs in audting) but i never felt that me being old (and talking about the birth of my first daughter in the middle of my exams compared to their talk of last nights drunken antics) held me back.
At the end of the day people want staff who can do the job, and i have known employers in this industry (rightly or wrongly) hold a persons youth against them, as "at the end of the day they will want to do ACCA/ACA then leave when they cant get 50k" so i really wouldnt worry about this.
I think i have done "a Shaun", and there is probably about 5 more answers there now, in the time it has taken me to write this.
anyway this is just my experience.
Nick
-- Edited by NickCraggs on Monday 9th of September 2013 10:33:25 PM
-- Edited by NickCraggs on Tuesday 10th of September 2013 06:26:54 AM
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Nick
Nick Craggs FMAAT ACA AAT Distance Learning Manager
60 is the new 45 so I am told and Nick is right age is just a number, we (Training Link) had a student who is in his 70's and has just started his own practice. If looking to do a college course I would suggest it is affiliated to a recognised body as some of these bodies will not recognise college certificates. I always thought you were only as old as the woman you feel? All the best Dave 97 West Midlands lol
Lol Amanda, I was referring to my girlfriend being 97 as for a larger pic of me there is a valid reason why I steer clear from having photographs taken, got a face for radio and chin for ski jumping and plenty of extra baggage under the eyes, still my Mother loves me lol
This forum makes me literally laugh out loud sometimes! Dave - you having a girlfriend of 97 gives me hope as I was just about ready to give up dating (or trying to)! Haha
Sam - I hope it went really well on your first day. A friend of mine was a 'mature' student and had a ball - by the end of it I dont think the word 'mature' was appropriate for her any more, but she loved it that much she went on to do 4 degrees. I reckon the youngies will just love you so have loads of fun.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
This forum makes me literally laugh out loud sometimes! Dave - you having a girlfriend of 97 gives me hope as I was just about ready to give up dating (or trying to)! Haha
Sam - I hope it went really well on your first day. A friend of mine was a 'mature' student and had a ball - by the end of it I dont think the word 'mature' was appropriate for her any more, but she loved it that much she went on to do 4 degrees. I reckon the youngies will just love you so have loads of fun.
Lol Joanne, The Big 50 next year, mine too, we should go out and celebrate together, don't have to worry about the girlfriend as she will still be busy unwrapping the Zimmer I will be getting her for Christmas, she wont even notice I have gone lol.
I know what you mean about laughing out loud Joanne on BKN there are some great sense of humours and there are posts that make me laugh even on the darkest of days.
Tut, one sniff of a bit of skirt and your dumping the 97 year old like a shot aren't you!
Joanne... Run, run quick as you can whilst I hold this silver tongued smooth talking brummie lethario in conversation.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Im flattered and scared all at once! Plus I cant run for toffee. Chocolate I CAN run for! Exciting though - Ive never been the younger woman, although what is it with everyone reminding me Im the big 50 next year???? Mind Ive just told an old school friend that 50 is the new 40 is the new 30 is the new 20....so technically I have two years til the big birthday - so plenty of time for Dave to dump the old bird!!!
Im loving the new pic Shaun!
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Good Luck! Its not a big deal to learn in what age, the main thing is "You are going to learn more and more". It is more important to learn and earn, don't scare just move ahead.
What makes you think that the other students won't be as nervous as you? They may even look to you for encouragement....good luck and you'll be fine!
