Whether you have been in the workforce for a few years, have been at home looking after kids, or have never been to University, the prospect of returning to study as a mature age student may seem daunting. With work commitments, children to look after, and households to run – where would you find the time?
More and more adults are deciding to further their education by going back to University, whether it be to obtain a qualification, upgrade skills, change career direction or simply further an interest. For many of these students, studying online has proved a great option when trying to work extra tertiary study around busy life schedules.
Whilst the option to study online does make going back to University easier, returning as a mature aged student can be extremely challenging. The following tips provide useful ways to ease the stress and bumps in the road when heading back to the books.
Take advantage of the flexibility online study has to offer
The flexible nature and accessibility of studying online is great for being able to fit academic courses around a busy lifestyle. The ability to be able to learn wherever you are – such as at work, at home, or whilst on the go, allows students to make the most of their time. Online courses generally require no physical attendance, and students can complete courses at their own pace.
Get organised
As many mature aged students juggle their academic responsibilities along with a host of others such as working and having a family, time management is vital. Before your course, it’s a good idea to get organised. Doing things such as pre-purchasing books, planning childcare, and taking into consideration assessment due dates can all help to make the experience less stressful. This handy online study tool creates personalised timetables, and allows you to plan your time effectively by creating weekly study schedules based around prior commitments.
Manage your expectations
Getting great marks and being the top of the class is difficult for any student, let alone for someone who must also work, or who isn’t accustomed to study. It takes a while to find your feet when returning to academic study, and as such many mature aged students may feel out of their depth and lacking in confidence. It’s important to manage your academic expectations, by finding a middle ground in how well you expect to achieve and by being realistic when setting yourself goals.
Make use of support networks
Whether you are struggling with foreign academic concepts, with managing your work load, or dealing with stress, Universities have systems in place to help support you. From extra tutoring to counselling, you should familiarise yourself with the programs in place that are there to help. This includes understanding what your university’s assignment extension and special consideration policies are. Similarly, making sure your family and friends are supportive and understanding of your new workload is essential, especially if it means you will be occasionally absent from home or events.
If you decide to keep working whilst studying, this may mean taking extra leave during assessment time, or working flexible hours. It’s a good idea to get your boss and colleagues on side, and make sure that they are supportive and encouraging of your new academic endeavours.
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