A Balancing Act: The Realities of Being a Mature Student
The realities of being a Mature Student
Starting a new journey as a mature student, at home, at work, and learning, can be a balancing act and requires a sense of humour, a healthy dose of dedication, and the ability to let go of preconceived ideas.
Denzil Washington summed up any challenge in his quote.
"If you don't fail, you're not even trying. Life is about taking risks, conquering your fears and chasing your dreams.”
Back at school, students are much younger and seem more together than me.
They enter the classroom, and I wonder if I am in the right place. What made me think I could return to school after so many years?
Gathering my bag and pencil case, I stood, ready to leave, convinced I had made a terrible mistake.
Too late, the professor, a little older than me, walks in with an air of superiority and knowing.
I sit back down and hope no one notices me.
Roll call starts, and my name is called out.
“Yes”, I squeak, losing my voice and nerve.
“Ah yes”, says the professor, “you are the student with a higgledy piggledy background in Education. I don’t think you will do well here; you can leave before we start?”
I stare at him in disbelief. Taking a deep breath and standing up, I say.
“I know I am in the right place and am certain it is for me to say if it is right for me, not someone who knows nothing about me.” I could feel the anger rising; as I stared at this man, waiting for a response.
None came; he just looked at me and then moved on with the roll call.
I sat down. A guy, I later learnt his name was Steve, sat before me. He turned and gave me a thumbs-up and a big smile. He was in his late 20s, almost half my age. I smiled back, feeling sheepish. I wondered what made me say that, and now I have probably created an enemy before classes started.
The rest of the day went much better; we went to the cafeteria after being given a timetable with class schedules and room numbers. Steve and a few other students gravitated to sit with me.
The building was an old university with a paternoster; jumping on and off moving lift compartments was scary. Overall, it was a difficult day, but I survived and felt a great sense of achievement at the end of the day.
Driving home after a day of complete chaos and fear, I was relieved and satisfied that I had achieved quite a lot. Now, to face the challenges of home.
My home was filled with joyous chaos, with two small boys rushing towards me, grabbing my legs, and pulling me into the living room, eager to share their day.
“Come see what we have built”, they both excitedly shout. The living room had been transformed into a makeshift camping ground; pillows, cushions, blankets, and sheets made a tent filled with books and toys. I fell into the tent onto the cushions; the boys fell on top of me, giggling and grabbing at books and toys, taking refuge in the familiar warmth of being together. The doubts I had earlier were dispelled with the warmth and delight of my children.
“Read this book, Mom; please read it now”.
After putting them to bed, we were all exhausted with our new experiences.
Doubt once again resurfaced: could I sustain this delicate balancing act?
Sitting quietly with a cup of tea, I recalled the quote from Martin Luther King Jr.
“The function of Education is to teach one to think intensively and critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true Education.”
Martin Luther King wrote this in a newspaper when he was only 18 years old. His words became a mantra to me as I navigated through the three years of University.
Three years later, after making some great – albeit younger friends – I graduated and wouldn’t change anything.
Everyone benefited from the experience. We all learned so much and grew in strength, knowledge, and confidence. The journey was a testament to the transformative power of education, proving that dedication, passion, and family support can overcome any obstacles.
Ultimately, I showed them all – the doubting professor, the sceptical classmates and, more importantly, the nagging voice in me.
It was all worth it.
Leave a comment