What is a mature age student?
A mature age student is over 18 and has been outside the education system for at least one year. There are many different reasons why people become mature age students.
Sometimes people choose to travel or work after they finish high school, and return to adult training as a mature age students. A mature age student can also be a graduate who has been in the workforce for several years and does adult training to upskill. People also become mature age students when they decide to change their careers. Now that you know what a mature age student is, let’s look at 5 key survival tips.
TIP # 1: KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
Being a mature age student may be daunting. You might be wondering how you’re going to cope with an adult learning course and how you will compare to the other students. By knowing what to expect, you can help calm your nerves and prepare for successful studies.
Being a mature age student is definitely different and more challenging in some ways.
Many mature age students will take adult education courses while juggling other commitments. As a mature age student, you might take adult learning courses while working full time or looking after a family.
Despite this, there are also several benefits to being a mature age student. For example, you’ll already have several years of knowledge and experience under your belt.
This makes you better at time management and balancing your commitments.
If you’re an older mature age student, you’ll have fewer distractions than you did when you were young. You’ll be more motivated to do your adult learning courses and find it easier to focus on your work.
Compared to some of the younger students who are fresh out of high school, you’ll be more certain about what you want to do with your life. In this way, you’ll gain more benefit from your studies, and be less likely to drop out or change directions.
TIP # 2: CHOOSE FLEXIBLE STUDY
As a mature age student, you will be juggling various commitments, from work to family. For this reason, it’s useful to choose flexible adult learning courses. For example, by doing adult education courses online, you can continue working while you study.
Through online adult training, you also avoid having to go to classes and tutorials. Instead, the online study gives you the flexibility to take your units when and where you want to. This way you can fit your studies into your life, not the other way around.
TIP # 3: PREPARE
Before you begin your adult education courses, you will need to organise your life to prepare for successful studies.
You’ll need to work out if you’re going to continue working to support your studies and what hours you will work.
Aim to resolve any debts before you commence studies to relieve any financial pressure. Fortunately, many adult education courses have payment plans which allow you to pay for your studies gradually over a long period of time.
Finally, it’s important to find an appropriate space to study. You could set up a desk in your bedroom, away from the communal areas of the house. Alternatively, you might prefer to study in a quiet space at a local library.
TIP # 4: EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY
Before you begin your adult education courses, you will need to organize your life to prepare for successful studies. You’ll need to work out if you’re going to continue working to support your studies and what hours you will work.
Aim to resolve any debts before you commence studies to relieve any financial pressure.
Fortunately, many adult education courses have payment plans which allow you to pay for your studies gradually over a long period of time.
Finally, it’s important to find an appropriate space to study. You could set up a desk in your bedroom, away from the communal areas of the house.
Alternatively, you might prefer to study in a quiet space at a local library.
TIP # 5: ASK QUESTIONS
All students have questions when they begin their studies. These may relate to the course content, or they may relate to administration and housekeeping.
Whatever your queries, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s guaranteed that someone else is wondering the same thing, so you won’t be alone. If you’re thinking of taking an adult education course, your provider will have a friendly support team on hand to help.
Now you know a little more about how to study as a mature age student. After reading this blog, we hope you’re better prepared for your adult learning courses. All the best with your studies!
*This is a guest blog written by Helen Sabell from the College for Adult Learning. Helen is passionate about adult learning. She has developed and authored many workplace leadership programs, both in Australia and overseas. If you are looking to study in Australia, no matter what age you are, please contact Go Study Australia, and we can direct you to the correct course and college to meet your needs.
