Visit the New Student Web Site to help you settle in.
I feel lonely because the classes are full of younger students and I don't have anything in common with them.
Mature age students sometimes feel that they can't talk to younger students. They feel younger students are not new to study, they seem to know the system and they might already have a social group. But younger students sometimes say that mature age students know so much, have lots of experience, are so serious about their study, that they're actually intimidated by you.
So, give younger students a chance to find their feet and develop their confidence. You'll probably find they are just as scared in the first few weeks as you are but have different ways of showing it. Make an effort to get to know them. You might be able to help each other out.
I have little opportunity to make friends outside of classroom time because I have to rush home to look after the family, other relatives, pick up children or go to part time work.
The juggling act of study, home and work can be very frustrating. Increase your feeling of connectedness to other people at university:
Exchange teleph2 numbers/email addresses with students who seem friendly and keep in contact that way.
Form a study group with other students and meet regularly to help each other study.
If you are based at the St Albans campus, use the mature age part time student room to meet other mature age students.
