Hi, I’m Matt currently studying a Masters in Applied Human Rights here at Sheffield Hallam. I’m Sheffield born and bred and currently live only a stone’s throw away from Collegiate Campus, yet somehow I always manage to be late for my lectures. I’m 29 years old, and live with my Australian partner who I met on an exchange programme Sheffield Hallam set up three years ago, in which I studied for a semester at QUT in Brisbane. That’s me feeding baby kangaroos whilst out there.

Matt Morton

I’ve always had a passion for the humanities and initially perused this interest straight from leaving school at Lancaster University. However, it was too early for me, and I struggled to settle, so I returned home and somehow became trapped, like many, in an unfulfilling career. Five years passed me by and I felt as though I needed to finish what I started, or else I would be selling useless consumables for the rest of my life. Faced with this terrifying prospect, I quickly picked up a Hallam prospectus and choose to study Criminology and Psychology.

By this stage I was 24 years old, and apparently I was classed as a mature student. Being anything other than mature, I returned with apprehension to the very institution that had unsettled me, albeit, this time a different one. It was like starting school all over again and the usual apprehensions of fitting in and managing the work load were there. However, within days my mind was at ease as there was an eclectic mix of young and old students, all of which were very accommodating. Returning as a mature student was so much better as I had more of a head on my shoulders; I was experienced and confident at what I wanted to achieve and knew what the world was like for those who were trapped in uninspiring jobs. The younger students after a time even began to look up to me and sought my advice.

Upon graduating I didn’t waste any time and quickly flew back to Australia to live and work with my partner for a year, also finding the time to feed plenty more baby kangaroos too. During this time I worked and saved enough money to fund my masters in which I returned home for and am currently underway with.

 

Transition to Post-graduate study

Needless to say, I was somewhat naïve of what post-graduate study as a mature student would entail. I didn’t even know there would be three semesters instead of the usual two I was used to. Luckily I didn’t book any holidays for the summer! Admittedly the transition was pretty smooth, even though I had just had a year of sipping cocktails on the beach and feeding Australian wildlife, it wasn’t too difficult adapting back into the mind-set.

So here are some top tips and things to consider I have been asked to share with you if you’re a mature student preparing for post-graduate study.

  • Save some cash before you start this degree. Although there is plenty of means tested funding for those who need it, not everyone is entitled. I hear the government is introducing some help this coming year, so look out for what you can claim, but be prepared for another year of abject poverty.
  • As a mature student, it is somewhat more difficult funding the Master’s degree. As a self-respecting 29 year old, it’s no longer acceptable to sponge of your folks; so balancing work and study is always a challenge. If you need to work, do so, but as contact time is minimal, don’t abuse the vast free time you have with doing paid work. Keep on top of your studies by articulating a diary/action plan.
  • Get used to your own company. That’s right, if you don’t like spending time alone and being an ‘autonomous learner‘, then perhaps post-graduate study is not for you. The days of regularly socialising at the back of a packed out lecture theatre are long gone. Obviously its course specific, but I had only one day a week of contact time and tuition.
  • There are three semesters apparently! So probably best check the structure of your course before booking any holidays for the summer. Every course is different of course.
  • Be prepared to be a hermit at times. Just like undergrad, workload peaks and troughs, except this time the 2000 word essays have doubled in size and sometimes even tripled. It’s no walk in the park.
  • Use your student reps; they are there to help you. No course is perfect, and don’t forget we are all paying customers, so if you have an issue, use your rep to mediate this quibble with the tutors.
  • Like many, I embarked on post-graduate study because I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. However, one year passes fast so best get thinking of what you want to do next early. Take advantage of volunteer opportunities as these will give you a taste of what life is like working in your associated field.
  • Finally enjoy it. It may be the last time you get to immerse yourself in the academic environment before you head back out into the big bad world. As mature students we know what that’s like; institutionalisation has momentarily distanced ourselves from this, so make the most of this.

Mature student case study by Matt Morgan