It's Been a Crazy Week So Far!

I'm the opposite on the phone, I end up oversharing with customers to avoid the awkward silence. I'd even ramble on e-mails. I've since learned the art of being concise and straight to the point!

Self publishing is difficult, unless you have a big social media following first. I would love to be published one day. I love writing but despise social media so it's going to be an interesting mix :-) I do write on Medium though so I'm gaining a following that way, it's also a good outlet to let loose what's going on in my head - gets it out so I can move on with my day.

I've definitely become a bit addicted to writing. Like today I've been on the computer since 9am and only just realised it 4.30. Oops! Hoping to maybe do a PhD in a few years time when I finally graduate and *hopefully* complete an MA. I've realised I'm pretty good at the research side of things, too, as long as it's a subject I'm interested in. 

Keep in touch, I'd love to hear how you get on at uni x

I did years in call centres, bloody awful. I can't do phones, hearing a voice, and not knowing who it is, is just too overwhelming. I guess this is where masking came into it. I could disassociate melf from customers as they didn't want to talk to me about me, so I became an expert in verbal nods and got them off the phone in super quick time. I wrote a book once, which is now wallowing somewhere in the bowels of Amazon It was supposed to be the first part of a series, but hardly anyone bought it so that didn't pan out. I should have paid for a proofreader tbh but couldn't afford it. I can't proof read my own work as I read what should be there, not what actually is. I haven't studied for over 40 years, so it's going to be tough, but that's one of superpowers, isn't it? When we get absorbed in something we love, we're all in x

Fab, that sounds great. I had some awful, dead end jobs for years because I never found what I wanted to do until I started using writing as a kind of therapy. Now I'm addicted! I looked into magazine journalism but it required being 'out there' in the community, interacting with people and team work, so I decided that would be too stressful for me.

I did Access instead of a foundation degree but I guess it's a similar concept - to give you the skills to thrive in higher education, especially when you've been away from it for a long time. I hadn't studied for twenty years.

I'm just finishing my second year at the moment. I'm actually studying part time so it's taking me six years to complete the degree! I struggled doing the Access Course full time while parenting my daughter who is also autistic, so I thought part time would be the better option. It feels like I've been studying forever :-)

Oh wow, that's amazing! I was a freelance writer for 10 years, 4 of them spent in Spain! I've always loved writing, it was the the only thing that interested me at school. It was my outlet, my way of expressing myself without judgement.

The 2 offers I've had are for travel and tourism, and I found out today I also possibly have an offer coming for Journalism or sports journalism, my first choice,  if I pass the interview. As I don't have the qualifications for any of these, I've got in through experience and passion. Whichever I choose, I'll be doing an integrated foundation degree to get the UCAS points. My mind is still blown at being accepted. How far into your degree are you? X

I had a similar problem from when I dropped out of uni back in 2001. I was supposed to remember the password to an online account I never had as it was paper based back then! SF put my details online when they went digital but I had no clue of the account details. I also had to send a copy of my marriage certificate as I'd changed names. It was a bit easier for me, though, because I did an Access Course first and got an Advanced Learner Loan from SF, so the account side was sorted before I went to uni. 

I think the reason I love it so much is because work was awful for me, lots of bullying, burnouts and breakdowns, so this is the first time I'm doing what I love and surrounded by supportive people. I'm studying Creative Writing. Not exactly what most people would consider a career enhancing degree but I'm doing it purely because I love it, not for employability purposes. I'm hoping to go freelance and I'm using all the portfolio building opportunities at uni to enable this to happen.

Hi,

I've hit a hurdle with the student finance side. Apparently I have an account from when my son went to uni 13 years ago that I have absolutely no recollection of. Nor do I recognise the email or phone number, so I think he's done it himself as he always thought I was flaky, at least we know why now  So I've had to send a letter to SF to sort it out. I've also found out today that the 2 decisions I was waiting  for are also are prepared to offer me a place, but want to speak to me first to see which one I'd be best suited to. My mind is blown now, as decision making is not a forte of mine.  Can I ask what you're studying? You make uni sound amazing, even with the DSA palaver x

DSA is very complicated for a neurodivergent mind, but once it's done you shouldn't have to do it again. I'd advise to apply soon so it's sorted before you start because you have to wait for a response, then go to a needs assessment, then wait for a response from that, then sort all the support out yourself. That part sucks but worth it as I got a mentor who has kept me sane with all the coursework. Oh and a laptop! I love uni though, the young people are far more open about neurodiversity than it was in the times we grew up in. It's a place where you can find who you truly are, especially if you have been masking for your entire life. I've never felt so relaxed and I love what I study so the work is not a chore for me, there's just a lot of it! I hope you get a similar experience.

Congratulations! 

I'm 38 and I'm a university student too. I was having doubts when I decided to start, for all the wrong reasons! Truth is, life is short and passes by quickly. We shall do whatever makes us happy and gives us a reason to get up in the morning. I wish you the best in your new beggining!

Thank you so much, I would really appreciate that I'm finding it all very confusing tbh, especially the DSA. 

Haha yeah, what gave it away?

Welcome to the world of mature student life. I'm 41 and studying at uni. If you need any advice about student life, academic study or student finance, feel free to message! It's soooooo exciting you've had these offers, and unconditional as well. By the way, apply for DSA too, it will really help you.

You from Nwcastle?

Thank you so much  I've been seriously second guessing myself; am I too old? Will I fit in? etc, but I've decided to just go for it and see where it leads

Welcome to the 'Latelings' club. We have all asked the same question as you and some are still trying to figure it out!

Hi and welcome to the community, and congratulations on your uni offers - good luck!

That’s massive. It’s not just validating, it’s brave as hell to be facing all that change head-on. I hope you give yourself some credit between the YouTube marathons. Whichever uni you pick, they’re lucky to have someone with your lived experience and resilience on board