How to Tell if You’re a Mature-Aged Student

By Caitlin Booth

Aside from the obvious indicators (you’re not eighteen and you no longer
drink wine out of a box), it’s probably pretty easy to tell if you identify as a
Mature Aged Student or not. But being an MAS is more than just an age range.

We’ve compiled the top three indicators that you’re really embracing the soul of an MAS, whether you like it or not.

1.You only deliberated for a total of ten seconds before telling off the loud first years

When you were a fresh faced and hung-over first year, you too were guilty
of annoying behaviour. You probably brought your pungent and dissatisfying microwaved leftovers into the library more times than you’re proud of.

But, now that you’re older and your patience threshold has dropped significantly, you better believe you’re going to speak your mind.

Group of first years having a loud and obnoxious group meeting in the computer lab? You’re not having a bar of it. You know that there are other, more considerate, places on campus for them to waste time. You figure it’s best that they know this too. But you throw in a little “Guys, I don’t mean to be a dick, but….” To soften the blow…

2. You’re hearing your own voice more than your lecturer’s in class

It’s not that you think you know more than your lecturer. You’re back at school for a reason and your youthful arrogance has been eroded over time by a mountain of failed job applications.

But you’re also intensely aware of how much you’re paying to learn now. Something doesn’t make sense in class? You’re going to ask as many questions as it takes to get clarity.

3. You’ve only been to the pub with your classmates once

And it wasn’t a success.

You only went because your Hinge date stood you up and you needed a drink, but didn’t want to go alone. The small number of people you managed to rally all felt extremely out of place amongst the cohort of first year science students in their gimmicky lab coats.

Once you finally found a table, you realised you weren’t confident about anyone’s name. The drinks were finished almost hurriedly as 9:30pm is
late for anyone that has a job to go to tomorrow.

It’s sunk in that you’ll be stumbling into bed full of UberEats instead of beer tonight. Full MAS status was reached when you realised you’re very okay with this outcome.