Disclosure: The Graduate Samaritan is a free independent blog supported by its readers; this post may contain affiliate links that may earn a tiny commission to help the blog sustain itself, thank you for supporting this independent blog! (full disclaimer here)
Welcome to another mature student story on our blog! Today, we share Chris mature student’s journey from working in construction to studying accounting at university!
We share these stories with the hope of encouraging those who may feel uncertain about their future—particularly those who believe it’s too late to pursue their true passions and transform their lives.
If you’re a mature student and want to share your journey—no matter at what stage you are—get in touch with our Reddit Mature Student Community. Whether you prefer to remain anonymous or share your social media profiles, we’ll publish your story.
Please also feel free to share these stories on social media. The more people we reach, the more lives we can impact, and the more individuals we can encourage to chase their dreams, no matter where they are in that journey called “life”, THANK YOU!
From Construction to Accounting, Chris Mature Student’s Journey
Hi everyone! My name is Chris, I’m 34 years old, and I’m a second-year accounting student. After reading nearly every other mature student story on this blog, I’ve finally decided to share mine. I hope it contributes to the cause and inspires others!
My story has a few similarities with what I’ve read here so far. In a nutshell, I went straight into work after school. Most of my pals did the same. We were never really interested in education—let’s just say we were more like a party gang.
Anyway, my uncle owned a small construction and renovation company, so I went to work with him. Having my uncle as my boss had its pros and cons—things could get heated quite quickly, to say the least.
Life, in general, was good enough, though. Work during the week, partying on the weekends with my mates. We were (and still are) massive football fans, supporting our local team home and away. That always took priority over everything else!
When Things Started to Change
As life moved on, things naturally changed. One friend got married and slowly drifted from the group. Another moved to a different city for work. The dynamics weren’t the same anymore.
Seeing this happen made me think about my own future. I was 30 when I started feeling like I was having an existential crisis. Life had become so boring and repetitive, and, of course, the first thing I blamed was my job.
Around that time, I also met my then girlfriend and now wife, who definitely gave me an extra push toward a more “mature” lifestyle (though I still go to the football, of course!).
Let’s just say that returning to education as a mature student was more of a necessity than anything else.
Why Accounting?
I wasn’t the best at maths, but I had always been good with numbers—funny enough. Because of that, I was often responsible for invoices, quotes and other admin tasks for my uncle’s business.
I won’t lie—I didn’t particularly love it, but it was a nice escape from manual labour for a few hours each week.
So, I figured accountancy might suit me well. Plus, it meant a complete professional life change—exactly what I needed.
I remember researching how to become an accountant extensively. That’s when reality hit me hard—it would take me years to qualify!
On the bright side, I discovered that an accounting degree wasn’t the only route. In case you didn’t know (like me), you don’t necessarily need to go to university to become an accountant in the UK. There are alternative pathways.
In my case, however, I also wanted to experience university life. The fact that I hadn’t done it when I was younger had always been on my mind.
Enrolling as a Mature Student
So, I contacted a couple of universities and explained my situation. They were incredibly helpful, guiding me through my personal statement and student finance applications (which, to be honest, were a bit of a nightmare).
A few months later, I started my four-year accounting degree, which includes a foundation year. That year was crucial because, as a mature student, I didn’t have the traditional qualifications required for direct entry.
However, I was told universities often consider work experience and motivation, and my experience handling invoices and admin work at my uncle’s company demonstrated my ability to handle numbers and business operations.
My uncle did provide a professional reference for that which was a massive help! And I obviously made sure to emphasise that aspect in my personal statement too.
This helped me secure a place despite my non-traditional background, and from just an idea I was there from working in construction to studying accounting at university!
🎧 Audible Free Trial – The Ultimate Study Hack!
- 📚 Listen to Textbooks & Study Guides anytime, anywhere.
- 🧠 Boost Focus with expert knowledge and productivity books.
- 🎧 Relax & Unwind with bestselling audiobooks after classes.
- 🔥 1 Free Audiobook Every Month with your membership!
University as a Mature Student
Life as a mature student is tough. Seeing the majority of my fellow students not worrying about rent and other expenses makes me jealous!
Balancing studies with work and personal responsibilities is challenging, but I know it’s worth it in the long run. One of the best parts? Meeting people from all walks of life. I’ve even connected with a few other mature students, which has been great for motivation.
Fitting in with younger students was something I initially worried about, but it hasn’t been too bad. Sure, I might not join them for a night out, but I’ve found common ground, especially through football.
A few of my classmates are also die-hard football fans, so we often debate over that! Being older actually has its perks too—I sometimes get asked for life advice, and it’s nice to feel like a mentor to some of the younger students.
Life as a Mature Student
Financially, things are tough, but I’m making it work. I receive student finance, which covers tuition and part of my living costs, but I still work a few days a week to bring in extra money.
I take on private renovation projects during my free time to help support myself. It’s not like when I was working full time, but I can defo make ends meet.
I must say – most mature students I’ve met do work a lot more than me, some of them even full time! I feel quite lucky in that sense, I’ve got lots of flexibility thanks to my construction skills.
My wife works full-time as well, which has been a huge help, although she is now pregnant. That’s made me even more determined to push through university and build a stable future for us.
It hasn’t always been easy, and there have been times when I questioned my decision to get back to studying later in life. But every time I sit down and reflect on how far I’ve come, I remind myself why I started to retrain from a frustrated construction worker to becoming an accountant.
Challenges of Studying Accounting as a Mature Student
Studying accounting has been incredibly demanding. It’s not just about numbers—it involves understanding financial laws, taxation, economics, and business strategy.
The workload can be overwhelming at times, especially when balancing studies with work and personal life.
One of the biggest challenges for me has been adapting to new technology. I was comfortable with basic computer use, but modern accounting relies on advanced software, spreadsheets, and cloud-based financial tools.
Learning programs like Excel at a professional level, as well as accounting software like Sage and QuickBooks, has been a steep learning curve.
However, I’m pushing through, taking online tutorials, and asking for help when needed. It’s a challenge, but one I know will pay off in the long run.
Future Plans and Career Goals
Looking ahead, I plan to secure an internship in the next year or so. Work experience is crucial in accounting, and I’m aiming to get a placement in a mid-sized firm where I can develop my skills further.
After graduation, I intend to work towards my ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualification, though I’m also considering the CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) route.
Both pathways open doors to a wide range of career opportunities, and I’m excited to see where my journey takes me.
Another huge motivation for me is becoming a father. With a baby on the way, I feel an even greater responsibility to provide a secure future for my family.
Knowing that my hard work now will lead to a stable career and better opportunities for my child keeps me going, even on the toughest days.
If you’re thinking about making a career change or going back to education later in life—do it. It’s never too late to invest in yourself.
I still have a way to go to become a qualified accountant, but I’m excited about what the future holds. Thanks for reading my story—I hope it helps anyone on the fence about returning to education.
Thanks Chris!
Thanks Chris for sharing your returning to education journey with our community, we are sure you’ll be a successful accountant one day!
For anyone reading this, please help this story reach more people by sharing it on social media, it can really make a difference in our mission, thank you!
Looking for more mature student stories? Check out below!
- Stephanie’s mature student story, starting university at 25 and graduating at 28, Marketing Degree
- Mark’s mature student story, starting university at 30 & graduating at 33, Supply Management Degree.
- Hayley’s mature student story, starting university at 29 and graduating at 32, History Degree.
- Abbey’s mature student story , starting university at 24, Psychology with Counselling Degree.
- Bethany’s mature student story, stating university at 27, Fashion Management Degree.
- Donna’s mature student story, graduating at 38, Forensic Science Degree.
- Therese’s mature student story, starting university at 32, Business Management Degree
- Debbie’s mature student story, starting university at 41, pursuing a Psychology Degree.
- Alexandra’s mature student story, starting university at 23, Computing and IT Degree.
- Oliver’s mature student story, starting university at 26 and graduating at 30, Business & Finance Degree.
- Dan’s mature student story, becoming a doctor at 30, Medicine Degree.
(Bonus paragraph) The Best Student Discount! 💸
Want to save money and enjoy exclusive perks? Unlock big savings with Amazon Prime Student, you can get 6 months FREE—and that’s just the beginning! Here’s what you’ll get with your free trial:
- 🚚 Free Next-Day Delivery on all your essentials—because who doesn’t love fast shipping?
- 🎬 Amazon Prime Video: Stream the latest films, TV shows, documentaries, and even live sports events.
- 🎶 Prime Music: Listen to ad-free music, playlists, and podcasts to stay focused while studying.
- 🎓 Student-Exclusive Offers: Get discounts on uni essentials, textbooks, and more.
And, if you love it (which you will), you can keep your Prime membership at half price until you graduate! 🎓
Ready to start? Follow this quick step-by-step guide to set up your Amazon Prime Student account:
- Visit the official Amazon Prime Student, landing page.
- Click on “Start Your 6-Month Trial” and then hit “Try Prime Student”.
- Sign in if you already have an account, or create one quickly.
- Enter your university email address (ending with .ac.uk).
- Provide your expected graduation year.
- Add your payment details (don’t worry, the first 6 months are totally FREE!).
- Verify your email (Amazon will send a confirmation to your uni address).
- Enjoy your Prime perks!
Don’t miss out on these incredible benefits—sign up today and get your free 6 months of Amazon Prime Student now!