In a new weekly feature, recent Her.ie recruit Mary is sharing her journey through the very grown-up world of juggling a career with further education.

Looking back over her first semester and forward to a thesis, Mary is learning some lessons along the way about time management, the trials of being a born crammer, the importance of sharing the stressful moments... and the reason why "mature student" is probably an oxymoron.

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School’s Out For SUMMER! It’s the last day of classes EVER today. I feel like Joseph Gordon-Levitt in 500 Days of Summer. I literally skipped to work this morning and keep breaking out into random bursts of (tuneless) song, My evenings are back, I can do things now! The plans I’m making have no bounds. I’m going to get fit, go to shows and catch up on the hundreds of box sets I’ve had to avoid spoilers of for months now. It’s going to be amazing! I might even learn to cook, or speak a new language, or learn to play an instrument… who knows? The possibilities are endless! My friends and family are going to remember what I look like and I will officially be back in contact with the world again. In fact, I’m going to have so many hours to fill I won’t know what to do with myself! *again, avoids the study for exams and write thesis options* Those early, terrifying days back in September feel like a lifetime ago. I went to college and I kicked its ass. Okay, I might not have my exams or thesis or the other thousand things done for it yet, but I did it. I’m on the home straight and it feels pretty darn good. I feel immensely proud of myself and of all of you out there who are doing these courses part-time with a full-time job. We’re brilliant and I salute you all. Now take a moment to revel in your awesomeness. It feels feckin’ great.