The Ultimate Balancing Act: University as a Mature Student
University is tough for anyone. The endless readings, the looming deadlines, the late-night study sessions fueled by questionable amounts of caffeine. But throw in a part-time HR Admin job, a 75-year-old orchestra to run, a university society to keep in order, and an entire virtual corporation in EVE Online that also demands leadership skills—and suddenly, ‘difficult’ doesn’t quite cover it.
I am a mature student pursuing a Business and HR Management degree. I commute to university, which means hours of my life are spent in my car in traffic, trying to use every spare moment to read journal articles or write an assignment. The difference between my experience and that of a traditional student is stark. While they can roll out of bed and be in class within minutes, I am already hours into my day before the first lecture even begins.
Juggling Work and Studies
Balancing a degree while working is an art in itself. I don’t just work—I am contracted as a HR Administrator. That means I’m constantly switching between academic theories and real-world application, sometimes in the same day. It’s an advantage in some ways—what better way to understand HR Metrics than by actively implementing it in practice? But it’s also exhausting. Assignments don’t wait just because work has been chaotic, and work certainly doesn’t slow down just because a deadline is approaching.
Leading an Orchestra (While Trying to Stay in Tune Myself)
Alongside my studies and job, I run the operations of a semi-professional orchestra. Concert planning, concert managing, liaising with musicians, sorting out logistics, managing their entire social media (Facebook, Instagram and X) —it’s a full-time job in itself. The irony of spending hours organising a performance only to then perform in it isn’t lost on me. But music has always been a passion, and giving it up simply isn’t an option. It’s about finding the balance, even if that means reviewing HR analytics one moment and adjusting bowings the next.
A University Society? Why Not!
As if the schedule wasn’t packed enough, I’m also the secretary of a university society, the Sheffield Hallam University HR Network Society. Meetings, events, emails—it’s another plate spinning in the air. Yet, being part of a student society brings a different perspective. It keeps me connected to university life and allows me to engage with peers outside of my academic and professional roles. The challenge? Not letting the to-do list swallow me whole.
EVE Online: A Second Job?
In a surprising twist, even my downtime isn’t exactly ‘down’ time. I play EVE Online, which, if you know the game, isn’t just a casual pastime. I run operations in-game, organising logistics, organising events, managing an international corporation initiates & assisting in leading the corporation, and ensuring our space economy stays in check and keep our players active. Managing virtual assets and coordinating with players worldwide somehow echoes my real-world responsibilities, proving that leadership skills are transferable—even in virtual space.
Why Do It All?
There are times when it feels like too much. When the deadlines pile up, when work is overwhelming, when the orchestra schedule clashes with a university meeting, when EVE demands strategic decisions at the worst possible time. But there’s also an immense sense of achievement in managing it all. It’s a constant balancing act, but each element—work, study, music, leadership—feeds into the others, making me a stronger, more resilient professional.
Would I recommend it? Maybe.
Would I change it? Absolutely not.