Returning to university after working can be a highly rewarding experience. It can be easier to afford tuition once you have more financial stability, and the more experience you have the world, the better you understand what it is you want to study. However, being in this position can come with some unique challenges, too. Socialising can feel awkward when you’re a different age from the majority of students, and your study skills may have gotten a little rusty. But not to worry — here is how to navigate first year as a mature student and make the most of your experience.
Discuss Your Studies With Your Family
If you have a partner or children, let them know the time commitment you’ll be investing in your studies. While it may not be a job, you’ll be spending close to the same amount of hours studying if you’re going full-time, which might mean you have less free time than you normally would. Having this conversation up front is a great way to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Look At Your Extra Years As A Strength
It’s easy to feel out of touch if you haven’t been in education for a while, but know that your experience gives you valuable insight. You can bring your unique perspectives into seminars, and you can carry your practical knowledge into assignments and group work as well.
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Stay Connected With Classmates
Being older than the majority of your classmates, you may feel like the odd one out, but don’t let this cause you to become isolated. As long as you view each other as equals with mutual respect, there is no reason you can’t get along with students who are younger than you. These social connections create a community feel, which is one of the best parts of the university experience.
Get Involved With Mature Student Groups
While it’s good to get to know your younger classmates, it can also be great to connect with other mature students. Look through social media to see if your university has any dedicated mature student groups. This is a great way to connect with people that you have things in common with and broaden your social horizons.
Refresh Your Study Skills
Finally, before you dive back into education, you’ll want to refresh your study skills. Look back on notes you took previously in your educational career and think about what did and didn’t work. You might fall back on a method that worked for you, whether it was notecards, a highlighter system or annotations. Otherwise, this might be the perfect time to try out something new.
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