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.

 

[Dianasaur]

I'm 53 years old Singaporean woman & I just completed a Diploma in Infocomm Technology a few months back.
Hope to do another year to get a Masters.
At my age, of course I wouldn't think about goofing around.
Being an INFJ, I wouldn't even bother to socialize.
I had a hard in remembering my school notes due to my medical condition.
But I managed to get distinction in all my results.

 

[mintoots]

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.

I say these as an academic of decades who has a partner that is also a non-traditional student:

1. Make sure to turn in all requirements, even if you think it's not good work. All requirements are there for a reason, and often even the non-graded ones are there to scaffold the major ones so it is easier to do.

2. Try to be there for every class. Three absences is generally acceptable. Anything more than that is too risky.

3. Even when late, submit all needed work. If you submit on time, chances of passing is already 50%. If you submit late, try to not let it lapse for more than a day. If it had lapsed for weeks, submit it still. Every little effort counts. Just note that the later you submit, the better the work should be. Try to strike the balance of good enough in time.

4. Lay down all financial aids necessary and prepare. Nothing is more difficult than going through school with a financial baggage. I understand it is debt. Make sure it doesn't evict you out of your home.
- use available school resources. Give up your gym membership and make use of the school gym and their programs.
- make the most of university food pantries.
- attend workshops, seminars, lectures, etc... organized by student orgs and/or support offices.

5. Mingle. Join after class socials if you can afford it time-wise. Meaningful relationships can help, but toxic ones will make things hard. Mingling is a good in between space for that ---you gain connections with least investment and least risk. Networking will help with future job prospects.

6. Don't let being a non-trad student get in the way. You are worthy of pursuing knowledge. You are perhaps more ready than the flailing teen who hasn't made sense of the world yet. That said, be patient with youth.

P.s. i also took grad school much later than perceived norms.

 

[Hyacinth]

I say these as an academic of decades who has a partner that is also a non-traditional student:

1. Make sure to turn in all requirements, even if you think it's not good work. All requirements are there for a reason, and often even the non-graded ones are there to scaffold the major ones so it is easier to do.

2. Try to be there for every class. Three absences is generally acceptable. Anything more than that is too risky.

3. Even when late, submit all needed work. If you submit on time, chances of passing is already 50%. If you submit late, try to not let it lapse for more than a day. If it had lapsed for weeks, submit it still. Every little effort counts. Just note that the later you submit, the better the work should be. Try to strike the balance of good enough in time.

4. Lay down all financial aids necessary and prepare. Nothing is more difficult than going through school with a financial baggage. I understand it is debt. Make sure it doesn't evict you out of your home.
- use available school resources. Give up your gym membership and make use of the school gym and their programs.
- make the most of university food pantries.
- attend workshops, seminars, lectures, etc... organized by student orgs and/or support offices.

5. Mingle. Join after class socials if you can afford it time-wise. Meaningful relationships can help, but toxic ones will make things hard. Mingling is a good in between space for that ---you gain connections with least investment and least risk. Networking will help with future job prospects.

6. Don't let being a non-trad student get in the way. You are worthy of pursuing knowledge. You are perhaps more ready than the flailing teen who hasn't made sense of the world yet. That said, be patient with youth.

P.s. i also took grad school much later than perceived norms.

Great advice. Mingling is also great if you need to tutor together and for the rare days that you do need to miss, it can be extremely beneficial to get homework info for those classes where professors don’t hand out the syllabus. I paid most of my schooling with grant money and cash taking a few classes at a time. Took me longer but I graduated with zero college debt. It IS possible to go late, you’ll just need twice as much preparation time as we have more difficulty retaining information and having it “stick” (at least I do, maybe you’re more fortunate than me. Honestly if I had unlimited money that’s how I would likely spend the remainder of my life is to keep taking college classes and learning more about everything.