Group of postgraduate students studying
By Elisha Crane, MSci Biology
I didn’t go to university at 18. Studying and I weren’t exactly friends back then (mostly because I had undiagnosed ADHD and thought education just wasn’t for me). Instead, I worked. A lot. I drifted through jobs that paid the bills but did very little else. Then one day something changed.
I was in my grey office, Excel open, wondering if life was just one big pivot table. I knew something had to change, and as luck would have it, I had just reconnected with an old school friend who was now studying as an adult and inspired me to make the leap.
A decision that's changed everything
I knew I wanted to study something nature-related, and something that meant something. I’ve brought life experience, focus, and a real sense of purpose with me and I’ve been met with a community that values that. That’s how I found myself on the MSci Biology course at Nottingham - a decision that’s changed everything!
This course hasn’t just given me academic knowledge. It’s changed how I see the world, what I care about, and what kind of impact I want to have. I’ve had entire lectures around the Zombie Ant fungus that inspired The Last of Us, about weird and wonderful dinosaurs, and learnt more about the world’s most gruesome diseases than anyone ever needs to know.
From “just a job” to life-changing opportunities
As a mature student, working has never been about experience for the sake of a sparkling CV, but it’s been necessary to afford to be here at all. Without a financial safety net, I’ve had to make studying work around life, not the other way around. I took what I could get and almost always juggled at least two jobs just to stay afloat. I expected to pour pints and wipe tables. What I didn’t expect was to find so much direction along the way.
The value of part-time work
Over the last three years, I’ve dipped my toe into all sorts of unexpected roles.
Attenborough Nature Reserve
I worked at Attenborough Nature Reserve, mostly because it was nearby and I liked birds. But that job gave me far more than a pay check. This then inspired my third-year project, introduced me to local conservation networks, and showed me the value of community-focused environmental work. I applied thinking I’d be making coffees. Instead, I ended up event planning, doing graphic design, helping run kids’ nature days and designing worksheets, and learning all about the politics behind nature conservation.
Teaching assistant
Then there was the job I nearly didn’t apply for: a teaching assistant in a primary school. I had no formal experience, and no clue what I was doing, but it turned out to be the most rewarding role of all. I found I love working with young people, especially when it comes to sparking curiosity in science and nature. It’s completely reshaped what I now want to do with my career.
Evri and Spring Lakes
I’ve worked on and off for Evri (a parcel and courier service), a job I took purely out of desperation. Even that had its perks. I was on my feet all day (great for fitness, although terrible for knees), and people were generally thrilled to see me (apart from one or two dogs who clearly weren’t fans of capitalism.)
Currently, I work at Spring Lakes, a water sports centre, which has let me totally lean into my outdoorsy and active side as I get to paddleboard and open water swim whenever I like, and given me the opportunity to try other sports I’d never have given a moment’s thought before.
Skills and experience gained
Being a mature student means navigating university with different pressures and priorities. I’ve had to balance rent, bills, and coursework in a way I never appreciated when I was younger. But it’s also meant that every job, however random, came with perspective - and surprisingly, purpose. What started as “just making ends meet” turned into event planning, nature outreach, kitchen shifts, Facebook marketing, and even conference attending. I’ve done more varied work in the last few years than I ever expected, and I’ve gained far more than I ever set out to.
Finding part-time work (without losing your mind)
The part-time job market is brutal, especially when you're juggling uni, bills, and desperately trying to have a social life. The pressure’s different, as I’m not 18 and funded. Rent, food, and course materials come straight out of your own pocket. So, here’s my advice: ditch Indeed (at least some of the time) and get a bit bold.
None of my jobs came from traditional job sites. I got them by:
- Asking friends if they knew anyone hiring
- Walking into places and just… asking
- Talking to strangers in parks and cafes (awkward but weirdly effective)
- Scrolling local Facebook groups for weird and wonderful opportunities
As a mature student, you learn quickly that you’ve got to advocate for yourself. Most of the time, people want to help—they just don’t know you’re looking unless you say so. Don’t underestimate the power of being a decent, reliable adult who shows up and asks. Yes, it’s terrifying. But honestly? It works.
Be flexible, be open-minded, and don’t worry if something feels completely random. You never know what that “filler job” might lead to. Sometimes you end up serving coffee. Other times you end up going to a conference you didn’t know existed, designing a leaflet for a local nature charity, or having a conversation that sparks your next big idea.
A few lessons from the chaos
Juggling work, study, and life is a lot especially as a mature student. Something always gives. I try to be organised, but I’ve also learned that rest and a social life are just as important as hitting deadlines. My calendar is a colour-coded work of madness, and I rarely stick to it but the intention is there.
The one thing that’s kept me going academically (sorry professors) is the lecture recordings. Sitting through a three-hour lecture in real time is a unique form of punishment when you have ADHD. Being able to pause, rewind, and digest things in my own time, around my shifts, is the only thing that has made my degree doable.
And socially? Finding the mature student community has been everything. That’s why I became the Mature Students Officer for the Mature Students' Network – I wanted to make sure others like me to know they weren’t alone. I’ve spent the last three years either officially or unofficially running events, promoting support, and building a little corner of campus where being a bit older (and a bit more tired) is totally normal.
Would I recommend it?
Honestly? Yes. Coming back to uni, later in life isn’t easy. It’s financially and mentally demanding, and there have been moments where I’ve questioned everything. But it’s also been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.
If you’re thinking about it, be brave. Say yes to weird jobs. Talk to strangers. Take breaks without guilt. Ask for help. And know that even if you feel like a total imposter, you’re not alone.
University isn’t just about studying a subject; it’s about changing how you see the world and your place in it. Even if that place involves being chased by someone’s dog while holding a parcel!
If you need help planning your next step, reflecting on your skills gained or ensuring your applications highlight all your amazing talents, talk to a careers adviser. We are available online and in person with our advisers working in all faculties. Explore the rest of our website to find out more about how we can help you.
Posted on Thursday 16th October 2025