Online study: perfect for mature students
If you’re thinking about returning to education as a mature student, it’s a brilliant step to take. Online study makes it possible to fit learning around life – and thrive while doing it. Here’s how (and why) it can work for you.
What counts as a mature student?
Mature students are typically defined as being over 21 years old at the start of undergraduate study or over 25 years at the start of postgraduate study. They also usually balance higher education with other aspects of life, for example alongside employment, family responsibilities or often... both!
Being a mature student does come with unique perspectives and strengths (and we aren't just talking about being eligible for student discount). If you’re a mature student looking to start a degree, then you have a range of skills to help you thrive in higher education.
Here are 7 traits of a mature students that will help you succeed.
1. Self-motivation
Often mature students have a defined reason to want to access education. That could be to progress in a current career, change career, a personal interest or personal growth. Whatever your reasoning, having a clear goal in mind helps drive motivation.
We don't want to overgeneralise but often younger students think more about aspects like making new friends. Whilst this is also a benefit for mature students, it's not a top factor in decision-making. You already have friends who support you, so you’ll be more likely to succeed in online study because you have a genuine interest and feel responsible for your own learning and success.
2. Time management
Being a mature student, you’ll have more life experience and, in turn, be familiar with balancing commitments. You’ve likely got your week's meal plan sorted, weekend plans booked in advance, and you utilise your digital calendar like a pro. Ok... maybe that’s a tiny bit optimistic. But, if you really think about it, you’ve been balancing life for a while now and doing a good job too.
This is probably the most important skill to have when considering online degrees. The good thing about our online courses is that they're flexible and just slot into your life. If you have a spare half-hour gap whilst you’re commuting to work, you can listen to a quick podcast from your latest module. Yes, it’s a little extra commitment but it's short term and you’re investing in yourself. Win!
3. Resilience
Thinking about becoming a student again later in life is a big – and brilliant – step.
Chances are, you’ve already overcome plenty. Whether that’s juggling work and/or family, managing unexpected life changes, or navigating a non-traditional path through education. Those experiences don’t hold you back – they build resilience.
Returning to study shows determination. It means you’re willing to grow, even when things feel uncertain. You know how to keep going when things get tough – and that mindset will serve you well throughout your learning journey.
4. Strong work ethic
Because you're likely have job experience, mature students often approach education differently than other students, showcasing their dedication and commitment to succeed.
You know the importance of a good work ethic and you’re not shy of hard work or asking for help when you need it.
This mostly stems from having previous jobs which you can apply to your studies. Even if your current or past roles are not relevant work experience to your subject area it's all still valuable. You can still apply the skills you’ve developed to your education.
Studying online – especially at Walbrook – doesn’t mean studying alone. If you ever need support managing your studies or navigating your degree, there’s a whole network of people ready to help you.
Our support5. A willingness to learn
We’ve already proven that mature students often have a specific goal in mind that leads to dedication, motivation and commitment. But it also allows for more of a willingness to learn and the ability to apply the knowledge you’ve curated up until this point in your life.
Being willing to better yourself means reading about subjects in more depth, to really become an expert in your area due to your genuine interest. It means you’re open to new ideas and change with a positive attitude, which is a rare and coveted characteristic.
6. Confidence in decision-making
Confidence is another key trait that mature students have. Maybe not in all aspects of life... because no one is perfect. But mature students tend to be more decisive about key choices such as career goals and how to pursue them. Is it classroom/teaching based? Or online and independent? You know your own mind and what suits you best.
Having strong decision-making skills is great for online study because the majority of the course is self-guided, and you need to be able to balance all aspects of your life. Being confident in your decision will be more valuable than you realise, as it removes the doubt taking up room in your thoughts to be used somewhere more useful.
7. Self-awareness
Another mark of maturity and perhaps life experience is self-awareness, being able to handle criticism, accept compliments and express gratitude. Of course, as a student, you'll receive feedback for assignments and it might not always be as expected.
The ability to take constructive criticism on board, reflect and learn from it is a key part of being a student. Not only for self-growth but also aspects like written assignments, which often include a paragraph in the conclusion about key learnings/reflections which can include admitting failures.
At Walbrook we offer 100% online degrees with full-time and part-time options. Perfect for you if you're looking to balance life, study and achieve success on your own terms.
Discover our online degreesYou’ll find everything you need to know about studying an online degree with us in our digital prospectus. To receive your personalised prospectus, please fill out the form below with a valid email address.
Once you've submitted the form, keep an eye on your inbox for your prospectus to arrive via email.
