First day of school selfie. I'm in school for the first time in almost 20 years! This is what I'm studying: https://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/onsite-wastewater-treatment-systems-specialist

I was very nervous before the first class, but the teacher was nice and enthusiastic and the other students seem chill.

I am interested in the material, but now I am faced with the reality that I don't really know how to study. I'm reading our homework that has the steps for wastewater facility planning and thinking "yep this makes sense", but if you asked me to tell you the steps, I have no idea. So I guess I have to make flashcards or something? How the heck did I ever get through school??? 🫣

#learning #education #BackToSchool #AdultStudent

#adhd medication update. This is the first time in my life I have been able to type an essay before the utter existential dread and panic set in. I have discovered the difference between a flow state of working and hyperfocus. One is intentional and can be returned to. One is as a result of absolute panic and once it's broken it's gone. I know which one I prefer. #AcademicMastadon #adultstudent

This is EXHAUSTING but it's also the best thing I've ever done. #PME #AdultStudent #DisabledTeacher

Been mad busy with college and the insane commute of doom but I'm loving every minute of it. My experience in UCC is worlds apart from my experience in SETU. The campus feels more alive and I've made some fast friends.
#uni #AdultStudent

When 8am feels like a lie in you know sh1ts gotten real #AdultStudent

When I was in school, teachers labelled students. They used labels like "troublemaker" "thick" "useless". They couldn't understand if you were good at your written subjects and sucked at math. Troublemaker was a label that was an umbrella term that covered any person with ASD, a troubled homelife or mental health issues.
Hearing how the school I'm in this year talks about their students almost moved me to tears. The genuine care they have for the kids. #StudentTeacher #AdultStudent

I've got the final exam of my degree in 12hrs 😱😳. It's been an epic 3 years. Can't believe it! #AdultStudent #AcademicMastadon #university #disability #chronicPain #chronicfatigue #autoimmune

Dissertation is done, uploaded, printed, bound and handed in.... done diddly done!!! #adultstudent #mastodaoine
i've an exam on the 14th and then I just have to pray I hit my projected grade!

With enough pain meds, caffeine and sugar I can do all things(once the panic and hyper focus kick in)! but will pay the iron price tomorrow #adultstudent #university #mastodaoine #AcquiredDisability #chronicpain #Fibromyalgia #Arthritis #Hypermobility #adhd

The worst thing about college is when you're given an assignment that your brain just goes nope to. #adhd #AdultStudent

Huzzah! Passed my Christmas exams and am on my way to achieving a 2:1 in my degree! #mastodaoine #AdultStudent

The non refundabable application fee and acceptance fee that are not covered by #SUSI for certain #postgrad #mastersdegree courses sure is off putting when you're from a certain socioeconomic group arent they? Almost as if they're weeding out the poors from being teachers etc. I keep telling myself it'll pay off. #highereducation #AcademicMastadon #AdultStudent

I have reached the two cup solution stage of studying. I've a big mug of coffee for the caffeine hit and my reusable thermal cup filled with tea to get the taste of coffee out of my mouth. Also got myself held together with a corset to manage my pain levels without medication so i can go into my exam later today with a clear head. #AdultStudent #Hypermobility #ChronicPain #Fibromyalgia #Arthritis #Scoliosis #ChronicFatigue

Side note, I use the term #AdultStudent instead of #MatureStudent for a few reasons. But it's mostly because I hate the word mature for all the baggage it carries with it. It has the implication of being dead inside, joyless etc. While an adult is just a term for someone above a certain age.

Whoever wrote the song "it can't rain all the time" clearly never visited Ireland #mastodaoine
If anyone needs me I'll be sitting in my car studying until either class time or a break in the weather. #AdultStudent

Today's #MomentOfHappiness was discovering #PowerPlanner software and app because with deadlines and increased workload my brain was in a constant fight or flight so I was just freezing up instead of working/reading/studying. It's seriously nifty so now I can track deadlines, my timetable and required reading for the week. It's now on my laptop and phone. #adhd #AdultStudent

Watched Dark Harvest recently and it's got so many concepts in it that could be analysed from a sociological perspective and from a theological perspective. I'm not sure if that's a sign I'm putting in too much library time or if the academic switch has finally flipped in my brain so now I cannot see anything outside of the lens of my subjects. #AdultStudent #AcademicMastadon #horrormovies

Why must niche academic type books be so expensive? (I understand why) cries in poor. #AcademicMastadon #AdultStudent #theology

Aaaaaah I think I have my working title! #dissertation #AcademicMastadon #AdultStudent #theology

Due to a series of factors I am the only dissertation on the religion stream this year, also my supervisor is sound out. Feeling a lot less terrified about the whole thing now. #AdultStudent #AcademicMastadon #theology