So here we are. Week one back at university. As a mature student, I’d like to say it was a breeze – but let’s not lie to ourselves. Between full-time work, running a household, and wrangling with academic referencing (again), it’s been more of a juggling act than a smooth academic re-entry.
Prepping for Success (or at least, survival)
The stationery haul alone was enough to make me feel 10% more ready for this journey. I treated myself to:
A hardback day-per-page diary (absolute game-changer) – one page dedicated to each chapter or lecture. I jot down thoughts, breakdowns (mental and academic), key points, and deadlines. Feels good to physically cross things off.
Highlighters in every shade of pastel – I now have a colour code for everything from citations to “read again with coffee”.
Post-it notes – bright reminders stuck on textbooks, laptops, fridge doors… even the kettle. Wherever I’ll definitely see them.
I even created a folder just for academic journal downloads. Who knew I’d get excited about PDFs titled “A Theoretical Framework for Critical Thinking in Adult Education”?
The Balancing Act
Balancing uni with a full-time job is a bit like trying to eat soup with a fork. Possible… if you have patience, a strategy, and accept that some of it will spill.
I’ve learned to:
Time-block like a boss – Evenings are now divided into dinner, study, and “don’t disturb me unless the house is on fire” hours.
Meal prep on Sundays – because one less decision during the week saves me precious brainpower.
Communicate boundaries – to housemates, partners, pets… everyone needs to know that library-mode is serious business.
The Emotional Rollercoaster
Let’s be real. There were moments this week when I asked myself: “What was I thinking?” Especially while deciphering academic journal jargon after a long workday.
But there were also moments when I finally cracked a reading that made zero sense at first, where I felt genuinely proud. Not just of being back, but of still wanting to learn. That’s something.
Final Thoughts from a Full Plate
So, yes – I’m tired. The house is messier than usual, and the to do list is longer than a referencing guide. But I’m doing it. We’re doing it. And there's something deeply satisfying in chasing a goal with both hands full.
To all my fellow mature students: keep your highlighters close, your coffee strong, and remember – you’ve already done the hard bit by showing up. The rest? One page, one post-it, one chapter at a time.
Back to Uni: A Mature Student's First Week Juggle
So here we are. Week one back at university. As a mature student, I’d like to say it was a breeze – but let’s not lie to ourselves. Between full-time work, running a household, and wrangling with academic referencing (again), it’s been more of a juggling act than a smooth academic re-entry.
Prepping for Success (or at least, survival)
The stationery haul alone was enough to make me feel 10% more ready for this journey. I treated myself to:
A hardback day-per-page diary (absolute game-changer) – one page dedicated to each chapter or lecture. I jot down thoughts, breakdowns (mental and academic), key points, and deadlines. Feels good to physically cross things off.
Highlighters in every shade of pastel – I now have a colour code for everything from citations to “read again with coffee”.
Post-it notes – bright reminders stuck on textbooks, laptops, fridge doors… even the kettle. Wherever I’ll definitely see them.
I even created a folder just for academic journal downloads. Who knew I’d get excited about PDFs titled “A Theoretical Framework for Critical Thinking in Adult Education”?
The Balancing Act
Balancing uni with a full-time job is a bit like trying to eat soup with a fork. Possible… if you have patience, a strategy, and accept that some of it will spill.
I’ve learned to:
Time-block like a boss – Evenings are now divided into dinner, study, and “don’t disturb me unless the house is on fire” hours.
Meal prep on Sundays – because one less decision during the week saves me precious brainpower.
Communicate boundaries – to housemates, partners, pets… everyone needs to know that library-mode is serious business.
The Emotional Rollercoaster
Let’s be real. There were moments this week when I asked myself: “What was I thinking?” Especially while deciphering academic journal jargon after a long workday.
But there were also moments when I finally cracked a reading that made zero sense at first, where I felt genuinely proud. Not just of being back, but of still wanting to learn. That’s something.
Final Thoughts from a Full Plate
So, yes – I’m tired. The house is messier than usual, and the to do list is longer than a referencing guide. But I’m doing it. We’re doing it. And there's something deeply satisfying in chasing a goal with both hands full.
To all my fellow mature students: keep your highlighters close, your coffee strong, and remember – you’ve already done the hard bit by showing up. The rest? One page, one post-it, one chapter at a time.
Bring on week two.