A Guide To Returning To University
If you are planning on returning to university at some point in the near future, then you will need to make a lot of changes in your life. Your studies will take up a lot of your time. You’ll have time in the classroom, as well as all of the work you need to do outside of your studies to think about.
Added to this, you may have other life commitments. You may have a job, a career, a partner, and a family to think about. Other people will have demands on your time and you may have a responsibility to them.
Whether you are studying for one of many high demand tech degrees, or you are studying a humanities course, then you’ll want to get the most out of your time in university. So, how do you make sure that you are doing everything possible to get the most out of your learning experience when returning to university?
In this article, we’ll talk about what you can do as a mature student to help you settle into your new routine.
Connect With Other Students Online Ahead of Your Course
Networking is important when you are a student. You may need to work with your peers on projects, and you will spend all of your student careers working alongside each other. Get to know your fellow students at the earliest opportunity. There is often the chance to connect with other students before your degree commences. Often, there will be social media groups set up to encourage students to connect with one another.
Take advantage of this opportunity. The better you know your fellow students, the easier it will be to work with one another once the course commences.
Connect With Your Tutors Online
It is important to connect with your tutors at the earliest opportunity. Get to know them and then when you need their support you will already have a relationship with them.
Tutors have their own allotted contact time for students, so it is important that you take advantage of this and make the most of it.
Schedule Everything
You should do your best to work to a schedule at all times. This means planning in time when you will read and do research and time when you will work on assignments and dissertations.
There may be times when you feel like you haven’t got a great deal of work on, however, utilize this time to get a head start on your major projects.
Know What Support Is On Offer
Before you start your degree, find out what support it is on offer to mature students. There may be a student support department who will be able to help you out with support if you are struggling to adapt to the course or being a student. They may also be able to helo you to deal with financial matters and if you have any learning disabilities.
Start Studying Before Your Course Begins
If you get your reading list before your course starts, make a head start on your reading. Get into the habit of reading early and you’ll continue reading throughout your degree.
When you are studying in university, it is very much about self directed study. Having
Speak To The Right People When Making Decisions About Your Future
When it comes to getting support in decision making, young people heading to university will get support from teachers, but who can help mature students heading back after some time away?
Talk with your friends and family. Speak with the university and to your current employers. Finding the right course for you may mean getting advice from those around you.
Look After Your Body
Studying can be hard work and it can also be very stressful. Whether you have your degree in your stride or not, you should always make sure that you are doing everything possible to look after yourself. This means ensuring that you get plenty of sleep each night. Rest and recovery is important as you will need to get a full eight hours worth of sleep each night if you want to be sharp and focused on your studies.
In addition to getting plenty of sleep, you should be eating a balanced and healthy diet. This will give you plenty of energy and stop you from feeling run down.
You should also try and get as much exercise as you possibly can. Some time away from the books and in the gym may be essential.