COLUMN: 'Are you mad?!' Standard reaction to embarking on a degree at ripe age of 38

“Are you mad?!” seemed to be the standard reaction whenever I told people I had embarked on an Agricultural Science and Sustainability degree at the ripe age of 38.

As I dove headfirst into my first year at college, balancing work, family, and classes, it sure felt like I might be pushing the boundaries of sanity.

But as I walked out of the TUS campus last week, my first year completed, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment.

I did it.

Taking the plunge into academia was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

I wasn’t particularly nervous about returning to college.

The thrill of exploring a topic I'm incredibly passionate about, the convenience of access higher education in this locality and the possibility of what I could learn far outweighed any jitters.

It is a privilege to be in this situation.

Finding myself surrounded by other mature students was a bonus.

It took the pressure off and we have laughed about the oddness of being in back in college, but we also brought a unique perspective to the classroom.

Being a mature student you have a different perspective and life experience you bring with you.

This can be a positive, having navigated the challenges of the real world, you are likely to approach academic assignments with your personal experiences, drawing connections between theory and practice in ways that may not be immediately apparent to younger students.

But its also a skill to open your mind and approach topics without that bias.

There’s a lot of learning in listening to the views of younger classmates.

I have had to make a conscious effort to integrate and learn from my peers.

As a mature student, I did have to rein in my tendency to go full “mammy mode” and micro-manage group projects.

But I also realized that young people are brilliant and we’re all in this together.

In today’s world, we often pigeonhole people into specific age groups, missing out on the rich intergenerational exchange that was a natural part of past societies.

It’s probably been part of the learning experience that I didn’t realize would be so impactful.

One of the most significant adjustments as a mature student is balancing responsibilities. Coordinating my schedule between classes, the farm, freelance work, and family often felt like an extreme sport.

But having clear goals and communicating them to my very supportive family helped keep everything manageable.

Setting priorities and sticking to them was key.

It has meant a lot of late nights and weekends taken up with assignments but having access to so much information through technology has made academia a lot more efficient.

YouTube, Ted Talks, online libraries and much more has meant I have been able to research and reference from the kitchen table alongside my kids doing their own homework.

Technology has made education accessible to everyone.

Returning to college as a mature student is a transformative journey.

It’s about gaining knowledge, rekindling a love for learning, and proving to yourself that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

Amidst all the chaos and challenges, the experience is deeply fulfilling.

So, if you find yourself contemplating a return to college, ignore the doubt and go for it.

The years will pass anyway and the rewards far outweigh the effort.

Katie Gleeson is an online content creator who documents family life on a dairy farm in rural Tipperary via her Instagram account @katieinthecountry.