Y1S1

    So, I decided to make an open reflection about a question that my friend presented to me in end September this year. The question was "Would you recommend others considering the same route?", with reference to me pursuing further studies (degree) at 26 years old. That was mid-way through Y1S1 where I jotted some personal pointers in my phone, it mightttt be a little more indicative now that the semester is over. Though my thoughts now may change over the next few years? Personally, I've no issue with that.

    Disclaimer: I'm not a long-term planning type of person, at least not really the "I must do xx by xx" type. I might have pressured myself in the past to think about what I'll be doing so and so years down the road in the past, but that kind of mindset makes me freeze up and that isn't quite helpful so why do that? Also, what we study academically doesn't always dictate what we'll be doing as a job/in future. Though at this day and from what I know, I think that it does matter to a certain extent based on the type of job, employer, etc.

    Ohkay, let's pardon my English proficiency (because I doubt that I'll want to proofread this, just like how I rarely return to my previous digital/paper entries) and just get to it. The long answer which consists of things that could be helpful to consider/ you may experience -

• Education vs Learning

    After working for a few years, it became apparent that education vs learning are different activities. I refer to education as formal education/recognized certification which most of us go through, while learning could be education with innate/developed curiosity, or something done informally out of the education system. 

    Hm my main point is that it helps me to have slightly different concepts in mind, especially when I felt stressed out about school. It helped managed my expectations of the education system and reminds me of my intentions for further studying. I'm pretty sure these two concepts could exist at the same time; hope you get what I mean.

• Intentions, Tradeoffs

    Ah the "Why" question, why further study at all? I can't answer that for you, but my personal answer has proven helpful to me so far. I'm thinking that this question will be brought up multiple times to myself, down this journey during the tough times.

    idk but it helps to consider the pros and cons of having a degree qualification. It could be something helpful or something not valuable to you at this point in time. It might mean everything to you to have one, or nothing to you even if you don't have it. No one else can quite convince you otherwise at the end of the day.

    I'll suggest considering the benefits and limitations (tradeoffs) of a degree qualification vs your current work, your commitments at this stage of life, family support if applicable and finances/financial assistance. If possible, apply though method(s) that consider your working experience as relevant.

• Time management, Soft skills

    A major difference between work and school for me, was how my past jobs were fixed within working hours, while tuning back to school (university at least) after 5.5 years was disorientating as schoolwork has no fixed hours.

    Time to commit to school is essentially decided by us - the timetable, the modules, whether you want to attend physical lectures, whether you work mainly during the day/night/evening, virtual group meetings could be at 9pm or even later, etc. You are answerable to your own learning journey.

    And so, it brings me to highlight some soft skills that are probably helpful/transferrable from other aspects in life, apart from time management - independence, taking things with a pinch of salt, ability to prioritize and reprioritize work.

• Relations

    tbh from what I've experienced so far, it helps to know/ get to know people who are already in the education system you're interested in or been through it recently as they can share recent tips with you. Be it seniors from the same major or not, alumni through mentorship programs, etc.

    Also due to the nature of each semester being around 4 months long, it may be challenging to make friends who stick through with you throughout the years, unless you manage to take the same modules together. Students usually know each another from their tertiary studies and enter university together, or form groups during orientation camps, or from clubs. Though the general impression that I personally get and consensus I hear, from other majors, is the same. It'll be interesting to see how things go/change throughout the years.

    Though at the end of the day, consider your intentions for further studying/ what you personally want to get out of school life?

• About "taking the road less travelled" as my friend calls it

    Yes, you might be older in terms of age, does that matter? Personally, I'm quite aware of my age difference (youngest students are around 19 years old) though I think it really depends on the individuals that I'm benchmarking myself against. And whether it is about general maturity, energy level, competitiveness, etc. 

    I'll say that I might not have spoken up as much during tutorials if I attended university earlier. And that sometimes I find myself eating imaginary popcorn along the sidelines, watching whatever's happening while they are hyped up.

    People don't usually ask for ages though there are situations whereby lecturers/ professors/ teaching assistants reference to age casually. And situations where we've to say which year we are in when we meet new people. Honestly if the question is whether I am treated differently, I don't think so, so far. And I don't see myself as more capable just because I'm older?

    On the side, a question that I got a few times, "Do you prefer working or studying so far?". Working, definitely working. Well it might change, I shall see HAHAHA

        

• TDLR; Why not? Think about intentions, research about the graduation requirements, trust your gut feeling, apply for it, destroy the perfect image that you had in mind and what come may. My fingers are crossed for you.

    tbvh I didn't expect to get the opportunity to further studies and I'm definitely fortunate to be able to do so. Though my thoughts are subjective to this point in time - if the above sharing resonates with you, feel free to reach out if you've any thoughts/ experiences/ questions. I'm also curious if there are other formal education "adult" learners here (o.O)

    Till next time,