Life as a mature student

You might picture life as a mature student, as sitting at the back of a classroom, feeling out of place. Adult learning is not about fitting in with an existing model of education; it’s flexible, tailored to the mature learner and more popular than ever. We don’t view education as something that only young people do anymore. Learning is a lifelong process that we can dip in and out of.

Late learners can turn out to be some of the most successful people in society. History is full of high achievers who found success at a later date, including J.K. Rowling, Abraham Lincoln and Walt Disney. It seems there’s no expiry date on the potential to take your life in a completely different direction.

Why are mature students important?

More adults than ever are studying online, getting new qualifications, or going to university. UCAS has revealed that 1 in 3 new students at university is a mature student. Going back into education will mean joining a community that is diverse and made up of people from all different backgrounds.

The average adult learner is more committed to studying and comes with valuable skills and life experience, which universities like. It’s also important for the UK economy that older workers continue to update their skills, making them more effective employees.

So what puts people off?

Although learning in later life is now more accessible than ever, it’s not something that everyone feels completely comfortable with. Here are a few common concerns:

I’m too old

It’s easy to feel that the opportunity to go to university has come and gone. Many people worry that they will be the oldest student in the class, or won’t fit into the student experience. Life as a mature student doesn’t have to be isolating. You’ll find that there are people of all ages on campus and if you’re studying the same subject, you’re likely to have more in common than you might think.

I don’t have the confidence

Although you may see going to university as something intimidating, compare it to everything else you have achieved. If you’ve been in the world of work for years, or raised a family, you’ve already proved to yourself that you can achieve things. Studying is a challenge, especially if you’re finding your way again with exams and assignments, but you can do it. Taking an Access to Higher Education Diploma will give you the learning skills you need to hit the ground running.

I have too many responsibilities

Many mature students have responsibilities outside of their studies, including children, relationships and work. Juggling commitments does take work, but there will never be an ideal time to take that leap. Being busy in the short-term, will be worth it in the long-term, as career opportunities start to open up. Planning your schedule, studying when you have the time and asking for help when you need it, will help you to manage your workload.

Why accept the challenge?

You can use your life experience

Everything you have learnt since leaving school is valuable. You’ve had the chance to gain experience in the real world and picked up transferable skills, which will give you a head start. You’ll have a better understanding of how what you learn relates to working life. You’ll also be equipped to cope with the academic demands of a university course and have the initiative to seek out further study materials.

You’ll be more focused

Being a mature student, you’ll know exactly where you want to take your career and how to get there. This commitment to building a better future, is the motivation needed to excel on a university course. Studying a subject because you have a real passion for it, means you’ll put in the extra hours and be more likely to absorb what you’ve learnt, to use in your next job.

You can take your career in a new direction

Returning to education as an adult, will be a game changer for your career. Getting a degree will give you access to higher paid jobs, a new industry, or a promotion. Coming from the workplace, you’ll have the life skills, contacts and experience on your CV, which will give you a huge advantage in the job market. You won’t be starting from scratch, even if you are trying something new.

Getting to university as a mature student

If you haven’t got the right qualifications to apply for university, don’t panic. Studying an Access to Higher Education Diploma is another way to get to university at any age. An Access to Higher Education Diploma is an alternative to A-Levels, that will qualify you to apply for most courses. Study from home, benefit from the support of a personal tutor and get the confidence to give education another go.

It’s never too late to find success. Life as a mature student is a new adventure, that will expand your existing skillset and enhance your employability. Have you benefited from education later in life? Let us know.