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Mature student profiles - Art and Teaching students
The best way to find out what it’s like as an Art and Teaching mature student is to ask some mature students. So that’s what we’ve done. Below are experiences and top tips from TSR members who have returned to or entered Higher Education at a later stage in life. If you have your own questions about what life is like as a mature student visit our mature student forum and post up a new thread you’re sure to get a helpful and swift response.
Name: Ann Marie Whitaker
Age: 49
Studied: BA in Graphic Design and Art Illustration at De Montford University in Lincolnshire
Comments: I was so nervous on my first day going back into education but people on my course were really friendly and all my lecturers were very understanding and supportive. Going to Higher Education as a mature student helped me rediscover my written and analytical skills and has taught me essential computer literacy. Overall it was a fantastic experience – I have no regrets about going at all.
TSR Username: Matisse
Age: 25
Studying: Royal College of Art MA/M.Phil. Communication Art and Design, Full Time
Reasons for returning back to education as a mature student?
Personal Fulfilment
How are you funding yourself?
Work Sponsor
Where do you live?
London
What were you doing before?
Working within advertising/publishing
Did you need to refresh your study skills (essay writing etc.)? If so how did you do it?
Through continued practice and revision
Challenges with being a mature student?
Juggling commitments
Best bits about being a mature student?
Direction, incentive and purpose
How do you find being older than most students?
N/A. Royal College of Art is wholly postgraduate
What I hope to gain?
To pursue and build upon an academic career
How do your children/husband/wife find you being a student (if applicable)?
Fiancé/family encouraged and respected my decision
Any tips for other people contemplating becoming a mature student?
Clear and incisive reasoning, with good time management
TSR Username: ipswichblade
Age: 22
Studying: hopefully teaching at either Huddersfield or York St John, Full Time
Reasons for returning back to education as a mature student?
Dropped out of uni in 2007 after choosing wrong course and now I know what I want to do 100% I'm going for it
How are you funding yourself?
Been saving up from the 2 jobs I have plus student finance apart from tuition fee loan as I've already had 2 years of study
What were you doing before?
I did Criminology and Psychology at Sheffield Hallam but didn't like the course and now I am working as a playworker and senior midday supervisor gaining experience working with children
Did you need to refresh your study skills (essay writing etc.)? If so how did you do it? Been practicing QTS skills test online
Challenges with being a mature student?
Hopefully not too many!
Best bits about being a mature student?
Ask me this time next year!
What I hope to gain?
A happy time at uni unlike previously and hopefully I will become a teacher at the end of the degree!
How do your children/husband/wife find you being a student (if applicable)?
My other half will support me all the way!
Any tips for other people contemplating becoming a mature student?
Go for it, don't be put off by previous study or bad experiences or a lack of support from friends/family.
