If you told me five years ago that I’d be sitting in a university lecture at 40-something, I would’ve laughed. Loudly. Yet here I am, juggling full-time work, textbooks, Zoom classes, and family. How did this happen? Let me rewind.
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So why did I choose this path—and was it worth it?
I worked at a preschool attached to a primary school, where I was inspired to upgrade my skills to become a professional teacher. What started with caring for and establishing relationships with children evolved into advocating for them to further prepare for primary school.
When the pandemic hit, life slowed down. Suddenly, I had time—too much time. So, I started a mum blog. It was supposed to be fun, a creative outlet while the world was upside down. But here’s what I didn’t expect: blogging taught me something about myself. I wasn’t as good at writing as I thought! Every post felt like a struggle, and that nagging feeling grew: “I need to learn more.”
One night, after my family were asleep, I found myself scrolling through university courses. Postgraduate Education courses popped up, and something clicked. My blog was all about learning journeys, and here was a chance to live one myself. I thought, Why not? So, I applied. And just like that, I became a student again.
First Day Jitters
I’ll never forget my first lecture. I walked into the room (okay, logged into Zoom) and saw a sea of young faces. My heart sank. “What am I doing here?” I felt like the odd one out, the “mum” in a room full of twenty-somethings. But then, I realised there were also other mature-aged individuals like me who had left their non-teaching industries and decided to become teachers, sharing their wealth of experiences and perspectives.
The Reality Check
Let’s talk about the hard stuff. Balancing study with family life? Brutal. There were nights I wrote essays at midnight because the day was swallowed by school runs and dinner prep. And don’t get me started on technology. Submitting assignments online felt like decoding a secret language. Meanwhile, my younger classmates were breezing through like tech ninjas.
But there were wins too. Like the time I nailed a group project because I could draw on real-life experience. Or when a lecturer praised my insights during a discussion. Those moments kept me going.
I’m now close to finishing my Master’s in Primary Teaching, which gives me more flexibility and breadth of learning. Yet my heart is still with the early years, where you can lay the strongest foundations for a love of learning.
Online vs. Face-to-Face
When classes moved online, I thought, “Great! No commute, no parking drama.” Reality? Online learning is tough. You need discipline because distractions are everywhere—kids, laundry, Netflix. But the flexibility? Life-saving. I could attend lectures after bedtime or during lunch breaks. Still, nothing beats face-to-face for those casual chats and feeling part of a community.
Do Mature Students Belong?
Absolutely. Universities are more welcoming than I imagined. There are workshops, counselling, and even peer groups for people like us. They know we bring something valuable—perspective, resilience, and a hunger to learn.
Was It Worth It?
One hundred per cent. Going back to uni at 40ish isn’t just about getting a degree. It’s about proving to yourself that learning never stops. It’s messy, exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming, but it’s also empowering. Every assignment I submit feels like a victory.
If you’re thinking about it, take the leap. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth every late-night essay and every small victory along the way.
