The reality of being a mature student

I graduated from my undergraduate degree in 2019, exhausted from 18 years of full-time education. Starting at age 5 and finishing my undergrad at 23, I was eager to build a career, but in reality, I spent six years job-hopping within the same field, never truly progressing. So, I decided to return to university for an MSc, hoping it would give me the push into the career I’d always wanted.
Education had always been my safe space; I love learning and I was so excited to go back to university. But I wasn’t prepared for how different university would feel as a mature student.

A Mix of Ages and Challenges

At master’s level, all students are technically “mature” (over 21), but the age range can be vast.
Balancing mortgage payments and bills while newly married made me feel older than the younger students. Yet, compared to classmates with children and established careers, I felt much younger. Not quite feeling I had a place.

Then came my 30th birthday; a milestone that in many ways felt like a step backward. Society tells us we should have our lives “together” by 30: a career, family, stability. But turning 30 while still in full-time education felt somehow scary and shameful. The truth? 30 is still young. Stepping out of my comfort zone, pushing myself, and pursuing growth is something to be proud of.

Coping with the Emotional Weight

Returning to education as an “adult” isn’t just about assignments and deadlines, it’s a huge emotional journey. While there are many ways to navigate this journey, here’s what helped me:

• Talk It Out

Share your feelings with friends, family, or course mates. If you lack a support system, university services are there to help.

• Reconnect and Explore

Explore your local towns and cities, take solo adventures, or plan “date days” with your loved ones. Use public transport or cycle to soak in your surroundings.

• Embrace New Connections

Make new friendships, even if you feel different from your course mates; the diversity in university friendships is a gift. Try attending Student Life events, which are designed to help students make connections.

• Nurture Old Friendships

Life changes, but friendships don’t have to. Remember to schedule regular catchups with old friends to keep those bonds strong.

• Find Creative Outlets

Learning as an adult is draining. Try taking up hobbies like sports, gaming, crafting, or gardening instead of mindless scrolling.

Being a mature student is a testament to resilience. It’s okay to feel out of place or question your choices. But every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.

So, if you are considering university as a mature student; whether that’s continuing straight from undergrad, returning after time away, or completing your first degree: Go For It.

And if you’re already on the journey: You’re Doing Better Than You Think.

Extra Information

Joining a society is a great way to pick up a new hobby and meet like-minded people, check out the list of all UWE societies here: https://www.thestudentsunion.co.uk/dosomething/societies/
Its £2.50 for a society fee and each society membership is priced separately, but you can get some memberships for as low as £2.

If societies aren’t your thing and you’d prefer a one-off event, check out what events Student Life have planned here: https://studentlife.uwe.ac.uk/events.

For mature student specific connections, check out the Mature Student Network UWE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maturestudentsuwe/. They have mature student advocates and put on events such as coffee mornings, workshops, and relaxed “cake and natter” afternoons.

By Elizabeth Irvine, MSc Student