New mature student portal page on TSR - Help needed

I thinks that's an excellent idea

Thats really encouraging thanks everyone. I'll add your suggestion mullings1 to the list of profile questions. Is it ok then if i just get a thread up here like the 'introduce yourself' one where people can fill in those headings if they have a chance? If anyone writes a long one and wants to have their photo included that would be nice but totally optional.

and yep can give a months sub to anyone that fills their details in mr SillyFencer assuming thats what you mean

ShinyApple good list of stuff thanks, i'll see what we have and can get to provide information on those things too. the 'ability to study again' one is interesting in particular, do you mean the worry that you've forgotten everything and will be left behind and don't know how to write an essay anymore?
Out of interest why is it difficult to find somewhere to eat lunch?

ShinyApple good list of stuff thanks, i'll see what we have and can get to provide information on those things too. the 'ability to study again' one is interesting in particular, do you mean the worry that you've forgotten everything and will be left behind and don't know how to write an essay anymore?
Out of interest why is it difficult to find somewhere to eat lunch?

I basically meant Study Skills. Many Mature Students have long forgotten how to write an essay, or how to use a library. Some universities offer Study Skills workshops, but some do not. Additionally, many don't know how to access these kinds of things.

Re: Lunch. MS want somewhere where they feel they belong. Many don't want to eat lunch with a bunch of 18 year olds, and don't want to go to the pub for lunch. So, where do they find somewhere quiet that they can eat lunch and maybe catch up on some reading. Well, there are places, but finding them can be hard.

as well as profiles from current students with the sort of headings suggested above (thanks for the new ones HESA) a 'Top tips from current mature students' could be good with the sorts of things you are putting down here ShinyApple. Want to start a new thread called that in here? I'll sticky it and then turn it into an article in a few week or two?

I think it's a great idea and agree with the suggestions above.

In addition you may want to include a section on housing whilst at Univeristy as I know this can be a concern for a lot of mature students.

A section on childcare would also be useful as there is very little mention of it elsewhere on TSR

With regards to childcare......it would be good to know if any universities have on site nurseries for those mature students who have young children and their opening hours......as not all courses are 9-5. Also perhaps a topic about the financial assistance available to mature students with and without kids.

The above is just a few thoughts.....I may come up with some more later.

I'll give it a whirl, though I'm meant to be revising! Haha.

There's little mention of it anywhere! Not even the NUS have any idea about it. Childcare and University are not subjects that go hand in hand sadly. Basically, most universities don't provide any information and will simply expect you to provide your own care. Some are better than others though and NUS is pushing hard to get best practice examples carried through to all universities.

I thinks that's an excellent idea

maybe add,

1) reasons for returning back to education as a mature student?

For example, good quality childcare often has a waiting list, and you need to be booking 9+ months in advance. To do so you both need to know which University you will be attending (unless you have money to waste on reserving places at all your possible destinations), and how many hours you will require.