Am I too old for university?
Short answer, no you are not. Whether you’re 21, 31 or 91, you are never too old to further your education (the oldest recorded in the Guinness Book of Records is a 96-year-old graduate, who was born over 35 years before the book was started). So, don’t let age, indecision or inertia stop you from chasing your future career.
Is it harder starting uni as an older student?
It may take a while to get back into your study groove, but the experiences you’ve had outside of school can actually be an advantage. You’ve had time to build new skills, and time to learn more about your strengths and your weaknesses.
Of course, going back to study needs careful thought. You may have work to consider, or family commitments. But don’t worry. Flinders can help you to balance study and your lifestyle, with plenty of support and flexible study options available.
If you are ready to to start pursuing your future career, or working towards your career advancement, here are some tried and tested tips to make your transition to uni a little easier.
How to make the most of uni study
1. Set realistic study goals
Before you hit the ground running at uni, it’s important to make sure you can realistically balance study with your existing family or work commitments. Take some time to plan your calendar – determine how many hours a week you can commit to study and block out a regular time each week to work on assignments. Setting realistic expectations will help you stay on top of your studies.
2. Choose a flexible program
What works for another student might not work for you, so consider a study option that suits your schedule. If you’re juggling work or a young family, online study could be a good idea. This allows you to work at a pace – and place – that fits in with your lifestyle. Flinders offers a range of online degrees as well as quick qualifications such as a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, with plenty of support available to students.
3. Get prepared with Foundation Studies
If you haven't studied in a while, our Foundation Studies Program is a great way to prepare you for university studies. In as short as 5 weeks, or via a 4-month or 7-month program, you can brush up on key study skills like academic writing, literacy and numeracy. The best part is, if you successfully complete Foundation Studies, you’ll be guaranteed entry into a number of undergraduate degrees at Flinders.
4. Take advantage of support
The demands of study can be stressful at times, especially if you’re balancing work, family and other commitments. At Flinders, we provide a range of support, from academic skills and careers advice to health, counselling and disability services.
5. Take time to enjoy the student experience
Remember, there’s more to life at uni than just study. Take some time out to explore the campus – visit the library, take a coffee break with classmates, or join a club or sporting team. If you study at our city campus you can head out to shop at Rundle Mall or chill out by the Torrens. Or if you’re at Bedford Park enjoy the beautiful gardens and lakes, a big outdoor screen, loads of food and drink outlets, and much more!
