Tips for adult learners starting university

Not too sure how to make university study work and how to fit your studies around family, work and all your other responsibilities? Read our tips for adult and returning students thinking about university study.

Some tips to help you succeed at university

Talk to the people who matter the most to you

Chat to your family and friends – your support network – about why you’ve decided to take on study, what this may mean for your time with them and how they can help you cross that graduation stage.

Let them know when you’re busy with assignments or study – they may be able to help with childcare or household chores, or simply be there to listen if you’re feeling a bit stressed!

Talk to your employer

If you're working while studying, discuss your study goals with your employer and explain how your chosen course aligns with your career goals.

Organisations often support professional development that aligns with your career, and may be able to offer flexible work arrangements, such as reduced hours or remote work options to accommodate your studies. Some employers may even cover part of your tuition fees.

Make a study plan

Whether you're fitting study around work, family or other commitments, your time is valuable. Create a weekly timetable for yourself to make sure you can balance your classes and assignments at uni with all the other aspects of your life. Use digital calendars and task management apps to schedule study blocks, assignment deadlines, and work or family commitments. This can help you prioritise tasks, keep track of deadlines and ensure you know when you can study for your courses.

Consider things like setting aside 45-minute blocks to do your readings or assignments, or making time to stay at the library after class to study without being pulled into your other responsibilities.

Carefully choose your courses

If you're not sure if you can fit study into your busy life, try starting with one course at a time. Most programmes have part-time study options to enable you to study at your pace.

When you're enrolling in courses, you can choose the courses you want to take in our online enrolment platform, which also shows when and where your classes are. For many programmes you have a choice of different class times.

Make the most of the resources

Take advantage of all the resources and support services you can access as an AUT student – from library workshops and resources to online study support, tech support and career services like advice on CVs and interview techniques, as well as networking opportunities.

You can discover all that’s available when you attend Orientation for new students or visit our website to explore our student services.

Bring your life experience into the classroom

Worried about your classmates being younger than you? Don’t be; your professional and life experience is a valuable asset in the classroom. You have a wealth of work and life experiences you can share in class discussions or when you’re working on projects – you’ll be able to add a unique perspective, and your classmates will thank you for it.

Don’t be shy

Actively participate in class discussions, and build relationships with your classmates and academic staff. It’s a great way to get the most out of your university experience, grow your network and build connections that can benefit your career. If you talk to your lecturer, they may also be able to recommend a mentor or valuable industry contacts you can reach out to.

Ask for help if you need it

If you’re not sure about something covered in class, don't know how this may apply to your workplace or you just need a bit of advice, don’t be afraid to ask. Your lecturer will be more than happy to help, and for your student life-related questions simply reach out to the team at the AUT Student Hub.

If you're worried about fitting study deadlines around work or family commitments, talk to your lecturer early - they can help you make a plan to make things work for you.

You could also apply for a short (three-day) extension to submit an assignment or, if there are circumstances beyond your control, you could even apply for special consideration if you can't meet an assessment deadline.

Don’t forget to look after yourself

Fitting study around your family, work and all the other things in your life can be stressful, so it’s important to look after your wellbeing and make time to prioritise self-care. Not sure how? Check out our wellbeing resources.

Mindfulness exercises, setting realistic expectations, and - if you're working while studying - short breaks during the workday, and taking time off from both work and study to recharge can all be helpful.