Advice to someone starting their undergraduate (as a mature age student)?

[Snow601]

Hey forum, in the next couple of months I'll be starting at university as a 31-yo lol. I have a clear idea of why I want to study it (and accrue a debt) and a fitting career narrative, which is why I'm taking this glorious opportunity to study and I'm excited for it.

What's your advice for someone starting out at uni? Any tips you would like to share?

For me, the highest I've studied was for a Certificate IV (equivalent to a postsecondary certificate/diploma, in social work) and have been studying regularly this year to get my English foreign language teaching qualifications. In terms of workload, I'm unsure about what to expect, though I do have an introductory subject to get feel for it before officially unrolling. This degree is in Digital Media; it's an art degree with a lot of creative work involved.

 

[Hyacinth]

Hey forum, in the next couple of months I'll be starting at university as a 31-yo lol. I have a clear idea of why I want to study it (and accrue a debt) and a fitting career narrative, which is why I'm taking this glorious opportunity to study and I'm excited for it.

What's your advice for someone starting out at uni? Any tips you would like to share?

For me, the highest I've studied was for a Certificate IV (equivalent to a postsecondary certificate/diploma, in social work) and have been studying regularly this year to get my English foreign language teaching qualifications. In terms of workload, I'm unsure about what to expect, though I do have an introductory subject to get feel for it before officially unrolling. This degree is in Digital Media; it's an art degree with a lot of creative work involved.

Honestly I would need to get to know and learn your interests, likes, dislikes, and things your passionate about before giving any real career advice. When your future career feels less like work and more like fun that makes a huge difference to whether it’s a great fit and if you’ll stick with the career path.

 

[Asa]

All my friends who went to universities in their late twenties or older did well in school. They were focused and disciplined at school, and went on to have successful careers. By 31, goofing off should be out of your system. You know what you want. Socially, it may be a bit weird, but you're not there to socialize.

My friends who learned a trade right out of high school and went to college later did especially well because they all have two career options. It's a bit late for that advice, though.

 

[John K]

What's your advice for someone starting out at uni? Any tips you would like to share?

Use your time at university to do more than become proficient in your subject. That’s often got a limited shelf life, especially with digital technology, if measured in decades to come. One of the most valuable skills in life is to learn how to learn - it’s evergreen and lasts a lifetime.