How to study at University in 2025?

[Altonbeck]

Hi I’m starting a Masters this September at the age of 53, last time I was at Uni was in 1993!
I’m really excited but the reality of how different it’s going to be is suddenly daunting. Simple things like note taking for example, I’m guessing people will be typing straight onto laptops rather than handwriting notes??! I feel like there is probably loads, technology wise that I just don’t know about that might catch an old dinosaur like me out!
Anyone out there been through a similar learning curve, willing to share?
🙏

I am doing a Masters at 50 and most people are mature students. I think it depends what you are doing though. I have loved it. Really enjoyed the experience of it although academic writing was a shock again. It will be different as you no longer need to hand it hard copies which took some getting used to!! Old school!

It's alot easier though to research as all online.

Thanks for responding. Can I ask, what software did you use, anything that was particularly useful to get to grips with before starting your course?

You don't have to change your ways if you don't want to and they work for you!

I graduated from my undergrad in '96 and just recently finished a PhD and found that my old ways worked best for me, so handwritten notes, manual referencing etc.

I did a second degree in my 40s having been out of the workplace for 9 years. Yes, everything is digital (or at least it was with OU). It's good though, because if you want to return to work you will need those skills. I've just got a job and it's all Outlook, Teams, laptop-based, so it's great to have spent time studying and brushing up those skills as I have enough new stuff to learn without worrying too much about tech! YouTube has tutorials on just about anything, if you need them. Otherwise, your uni should provide online training and support for any programs you need to use.

Congratulations! I did the same thing at around the same age - amazing, terrifying, exhausting …

To be honest I probably never quite got to grips with software and other stuff I wasn’t already aware of. It didn’t stop me achieving a Distinction - but if you want an easier life, try and find out what you’ll be using and practise before you start.

The great thing though, was that I was able to do about 85% of the research for my dissertation on my phone screen, from under my duvet. (In fact I didn’t even realise I was ‘researching’ until I started thinking about it properly and realised I’d already done must of the work.)

Thanks for your responses, so it seems like I can still use paper and pen if I choose! I haven’t had to use a screen for work over recent years and so my typing speed won’t be that fast.
I have started to look at what software the University use so I’ve got my head round it a bit.
TBH I’m kinda more concerned about being able to master the tech than cope with the content of the course!! Maybe I am overthinking?!

Don't worry about the tech, all unis run loads of training sessions on anything you might need or want to try.

You will have to submit written work online! (I’m sure you know that …)

Thanks! Yes I do know that HoxtHun🤣