Mature Student Mutual Support Thread.

[unleashingtheflyingmonkeys]

Hi all,

I go back to uni in Oct to continue on with my LLB. There are very few mature students on my course and I am the only parent so I would really like some other students to talk to. About anything really, how your course is going, managing workloads, trying to socialise - so I don't feel so alone.

I am trying to prepare for going back, reading more to stretch my brain, getting a jump on some of the work, preparing workspace etc.

If any academics are also around, any studying advice would be really helpful - how you prepare for assignments, tips on how to prepare for exams, how to manage your workload and time more efficiently (something I'm trying to improve upon from last year),

I thought I'd try to start a thread where we could mutually support each other (so I don't feel as isolated as I did last term).

Doc Martin! I know that feeling so well.

I was so glad to have nothing timetabled today. Some reading a nap is on the cards.

So how is everyone getting on, this thread has gone a bit quiet.

I went back this week. I didn't know a soul, and felt a bit lonely. Tried talking to a few people and they were all friendly but no success building friendships yet.

Work and the reading has hit me like a train. Feel out of my depth. Will keep plugging on, but feel a bit lost. Anyone else feel that when uni is going well, the family stuff slips, and vice versa. Wish I had two more clones to get everything done.

I had to take time out due to health problems and everyone else graduated and I'm still there, on my own, feeling like I'm doing a good impression of a competent student with her shit together, but achieving nothing like it in reality.

Career planning, lets not go there.

Anyone else in mature student hell want to give me wave xx

I'm exhausted, timetable involves lots of v early starts. Would be good for fitting in with schools if I was local but I commute....

Feel like assessments are coming quickly and my time is so limited especially since we've all been ill and my disability means I'm exhausted quicker than normal.

I'm struggling with the motivation to get back into it. I think a summer off has just set a few bad habits in place.

A few deadlines. But actually I only have 2 assignments and my final project this year.

Hi I'm 22 in January and in my first year, if you couldn't tell by my name I'm doing politics and philosophy I'm aiming for a 2:1 because I'd like to study a masters and doctorate in political theory and international relations. I've ASD and other disabilities and learning difficulties so I'm feeling out of place at uni, I'm living in student accommodation with seven other students one which is a mature student but he spends most of his time in his room, the university has a mature students group but I don't really fit there, I'm trying to engage and be friendly but they think I'm not a proper mature student as I'm 21 while some "not all most are lovely" other first years think I'm too old to socialise with. I feel so alone so this thread is a god send.

I'm 10 days in and so far its going okay. I've been procrastinating for the past week, but I've finished my first assignment (due during half-term), and I'm now tackling the next batch of reading so I don't get behind while the DC are off and we're on holiday.

Sorry to hear some of you are struggling with adjusting (back) to studying. Procrastination will be my main enemy I think. I have plenty of time and the study isn't that demanding, plus I can do it at home - or anywhere - but I'm a chronic time-waster. It doesn't help that I'm reading 'The Martian', which I'm finding hard to put down.

Politics - have you tried other societies, not just the mature student ones - may help. How have you found it this week?

Juneau - procrastination is my biggest downfall too. I am struggling to keep organised with it, when I'm hating uni as much as I am right now. I need to put my big girl pants on and just get on with it, but for tonight I'm going to eat cake and sulk, because I can lol.

Sofabitch and drmartens how are you two getting on x

I've looked at a few but I visited home at the weekend and caught a stomach virus from my niece and haven't been well enough to travel back, I'm worried about what I've missed but I've emailed tutors and lecturers so I've got meetings set up to go over what I've missed, I have joined the Model UN so I'm looking forward to the first meeting.

I hope you feel better soon. Try not to worry to much, its not like you would have learnt much anyway if you are ill. The model UN sounds interesting x

I've hit the omg I need to get on with assignments point, 3 due in the same week in 3 weeks. Most of my young & free friends haven't even looked yet but I need the extra time with half term/time for illnesses etc.

So I finished my draft introduction for my final year project. Went and saw my tutor yesterday as I hate my project supervision. He is a fantastic researcher with great credentials but he scares the life out of me! Anyway he talked me out of switching projects. I've been seriously looking around at jobs and graduate schemes. It seems so weird to be looking at entry level positions at my age! I do wonder if that will go against me? Something I'm finding a little disheartening is the lack of flexibility having children means lots of very interesting things are written off. But im hoping something suitable comes up on the NHS scientist training programme that I can apply for. Although it's highly competitive my chances are really low. I'm still going to go for it.

Let's not talk about the procrastination but I think it is an inevitable part of the learning process. I do wonder how much easier it would be if I could just do stuff straight away. Its like I can't make my brain stay in focus unless it's critically important!

Anyway it's nice to see that lots of us are feeling the same.

Politics I agree find other societies. They are all different and I think the trick is finding your niche. I found that by repeatedly turning up to mature students I found a little group of people that weren't so keen and eventually we pulled away and just met more informally. But there may be more suitable groups. 22 isn't very old. You'll probably find lots of other society's welcoming

sofabitch This: Its like I can't make my brain stay in focus unless it's critically important!

You have just summed up my brain function perfectly.
I have an assignment due in on Friday, have done some planning but need to actually write it.
Then another in the second week of November as well as a test. Two in December and one in January. I need to get the hell on with it.

DrDoc I hate having to plan so much further ahead for having the DC in half term etc., and no one else on my course gets it but complains about their deadlines. I may at times want to tell them to try it with kids too.

But on a more cheery note I finally received my results for the MSc yesterday... I got a Distinction! I am over the bloody moon. And just to top it off I scraped a 70 in my dissertation, despite the extension and writing 10k words in a week, so I am, as far as I know, the only person on my course to get a Distinction in every module. I am not one for crying but I may have wept a tear of joy. Working 16 hours a week, being main carer for two DC, and doing a full-time course and I bloody well did it, which I may point out to the people my DM who told me I wouldn't be able to do it all.

Well done TheStorm

Hi all... mind if I join you? I'm a mature student in year 3 of my course. I'm doing it as a single parent to 2 older children and 2 primary school age ones.
I do find being a mature student alongside 19/20 year olds pretty tough but it's a means to an end..... isn't it?

I'm a 45yo grad student in first year of 2 year thesis based MA. Three kids plus a spare who lives here too. I completed my undergrad as a mature student a hundred years ago, including being pregnant and all sorts. Pleased to be finally back for MA but holy cow this would have been easier if I had just done it earlier.
I am utterly knackered, behind on my reading, and have a funding proposal I am supposed to be writing. My brain may actually leak out of my ears, and I suspect I am suffering from peri-menopausal word-finding difficulties

Hi, just wanted to join! I'm in my final year too. Feel like I'm on constant placement with too much academic work and competencies to do (it's an NHS degree). Aside from this, it's hard keeping up with the other stuff, children, family, friends in need, housework. Feel like I'm sinking, but exciting to think the end is so close the now!

Storm that is fantastic well done :-) you must be really proud.

Welcome everyone. I know what you mean about sinking! I certainly feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day. But at the same time I kmow I waste too many!

I think the NHS course have crazy expectations there are some people on my course doing a NHS accredited version and they have 3 days of placements a week as well as lectures.

I just realised my dissertation is due in right before the exams! I'm going to have to be careful to leave enough revision time.

I made the decision to not work when I started. Someone said to me you can work or have children to do all 3 (study, work and children) is super hard. So im in absolutly awe of those that manage it.

I want to join. I'm a 24 year old second year psychology student. Back to uni after a year out to have DD who is now 10 months. Work is easy so far but things will get harder. Also raising DD on my own no family or friends near uni. Only problem I have is thinking about my abuaive ex when I should be studying. Can't get a few horrible events out of my mind.

Use the student counselling service. I used them for ptsd/ birth trauma (6 years after the birth - I started having flashbacks again after the death of a student on my course, when his mum told the story of his traumatic infancy - my dd2 was brain damaged and I didn't really deal with it at the time - dh also got blown up and it was a fairly traumatic few years). Counselling service was accessible and v good on campus.

sofabitch I dropped work this year (last one). Still doing casual stuff but can pick and choose. I do 1.5h commute each way to uni so struggled with late nights /early mornings when work was added in.

How is everyone getting on. I'm spending another Saturday night, by myself working, when I would rather be having family time, except I have that much on I need to work. Struggling still to balance everything and feeling thoroughly rubbish today.

Going to keep focused on the end game - degree complete. Seems so far off now though. Need to stop wasting time on Mumsnet and other assorted nonsense.

I've spent the day working and missed a family day out.
Exam next week plus assessments to be in

Working on an assignment today :-( I wish I was one of those people that could just write in a day. I find it takes time for my ideas to develop.

Anyway once this is done in think that's most of my coursework besides my dissertation out the way for the year! So I just need to keep on top of the reading.

I'm thinking of applying for a phd! I must be insane right!

I am avoiding doing assignments very well at the moment, which is not all that great considering I have one due in next week, then two in early December.
I have even had my first child free day in forever, and I am still avoiding doing work.

I suppose I am lucky that I can do the work pretty quickly, but I get stressed about it so it would make more sense to get it over and done with, but I never do.

sofa I would say you probably are insane, but then so am I as I did exactly the same.