%20(1).png)
With the new year now well under way, classes resuming soon and people returning to work, let’s delve into some tips you might find helpful for maintaining a healthy balance between work, study, family, and everything else life tends to throw at you.
As a mature aged student returning to study, you likely have more things on your plate demanding your attention than the average school leaver. Maybe you’ve got a family to raise, a business to run, a boss to impress, and long-term relationships to preserve. If any of these responsibilities resonate with you, you know how important they are to you and how badly you crave to perform at your best.
So if you’re wondering how you’ll be able to manage studying whilst still putting your best foot forward in all these other aspects of your life, don't worry - you’re not alone.
In light of this, here are some things that might be worth considering to help ensure you’re not just surviving, but thriving, in both your academic and personal arenas:
Try to develop a study routine, and stick with it!
You know your own daily schedule better than anyone. Are you an early bird who savours the peace and quiet that accompanies the early hours of morning before the household wakes up? Or do you enjoy being more of a night owl, and find yourself better able to concentrate once the world is asleep?
If you can take advantage of these little pockets of time in which there are no distractions, and try to get into the routine of it, you’re more likely to better engage with the material and get some serious study done.
The value of job flexibility
When you’re working and studying simultaneously, it probably goes without saying that having a job that allows for flexible hours can do wonders for easing stress. Working-from-home is a great alternative, if that’s indeed an option for you. In fact, companies globally have since shifted their working models due to the pandemic.
But if working-from-home isn’t really a viable option for you, switching to part-time when exam or assessment season rolls around can be invaluable to ensuring you’re able to achieve your best academically. Either way, having an employer who is accommodating and willing to remain flexible to your class schedule can be crucial.
Knowing your limits
Of course everyone wants to be able to perform to the best of their ability in all aspects of their lives - academics included. But don’t spread yourself too thin in the pursuit of perfection! You know yourself best and how many hours of work and study is potentially pushing it.
Remember that taking care of yourself enables you to put your best foot forward in both your personal and professional lives - so make sure to check in with yourself often, and most importantly:
Don’t be afraid to reach out for support
Your lecturers and tutors are here to help you get the most out of your education, including adapting to and accommodating your individual circumstances as reasonably as possible. It’s worth chatting to them if you’re struggling with something, such as an upcoming due date or personal matter, to see if a suitable compromise can be arranged.
Additionally, it’s worth looking into what support services are offered by your institution - whether that be counselling, childcare, or financial aid, for example. You never know unless you ask!
Never forget that you're an asset to any classroom
Returning to the classroom after years of being out of one can seem daunting to some - and that’s completely understandable. But at the same time, don’t forget that being a mature aged student comes with its own unique advantages! You’re more motivated, you know what you want, and your years of work experience - whether in a professional workplace or in the home - mean you're better able to apply the theoretical material taught to a real-world context.
Furthermore, not only do you enrich the learning experiences of your fellow peers - who have also taken the initiative to return to study, just like yourself - but you’re generally better equipped with the motivation, discipline and life experience to really thrive in your studies.
We’re here to help!
Most of our students who enrol through us are anywhere from their late thirties to early sixties - so we fully understand how busy life can get and the challenges you might encounter choosing to return to study. That’s why our Fresh Futures Career Advisors are dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision possible, and we’ve streamlined the process by partnering with only the highest quality institutions in Melbourne.
We’d love to have a chat with you to answer any questions or address any concerns you might have about returning to study, so please feel free to reach out to us! We’re always up for a chat.