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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We’re Winding Down People… This is it lads and ladies. We’re officially winding down. Towards what, I’m not really sure yet, but one thing’s for certain is the end of classes is nigh. I’m so excited, I could do a Chandler dance right here on the table… though I don’t think the ladies in the office would appreciate it (that’s the only thing that’s stopping me, I swear!). Anyhow, we’ve bid adieu to one lecturer already, assignments have been handed up… there’s just one more pesky presentation and two exams and then it’s summer time! Now, it’s all about trying to stay focused. You know when you get to this point of the year and you just stop caring? It’s like the last exam of the Leaving Cert… you know you need to concentrate, but it’s sunny outside and you are so close to freedom you can taste it. Cue the quickest written exam you have ever done in your life. That’s the way I feel. I am being so productive right now (seriously). I am printing stuff out, I am stapling things and I’m even organising them into folders. All ready for the big exam study time. As you all know, I like to trick myself into thinking I’m doing work (read above) but this time it’s going to be different. I can sense it. I have a focused mind this time. I am just counting the days down until I can crack into those books, and endless amounts of photocopies, and just get studying. No, really. There is hope for me yet guys. It’s all about positivity and seeing as there’s just three weeks until exams and everything are over, I feel it’s about time I was hit with the study bug. Though maybe I should punch holes in all of the photocopies first? And I also need to buy some sticky notes and different coloured highlighters. But after that? Then, I’ll study.