That’s such a shame to hear that there are few mature students now. My uni course was about 30% mature students and it made a huge difference to have a lovely group of women in their 50s in the classes and lectures offering sage advice to us flighty 18 year olds.
I remember being in my first year of my Arts degree, sitting in Wallace Theatre - about 300 students in the amphitheatre. There was an elderly gentleman, Einstein-white hair, way down at the front of the amphitheatre. I was fascinated by him! I never spoke to him but I have never forgotten him - always very curious and have always loved the idea of being a lifelong learner.
As an adult, I worked in Academic Support at a university that welcomed a significant number of mature students, though by then we didn't call them that. But most had had families and careers and were the first in their families to attempt tertiary education. I loved working with those students.
I love listening to you, Sue. Your mum's response - so so interesting! I loved how you threaded together your study concepts and routines with snotty noses and calamine lotion - I could really see that scene! Love your writing, Sue - precise and engaging with a pleasant touch of humour!
Lovely to hear this, KK. The world was a more rounded space when mature students started to appear in work forces. Gave them more substance somehow. Older people with life experience added something to seminars, lecturers were wary of them because they argued, not like the 18 year olds who took notes, said nothing and couldnt wait for the seminar to end! Thanks for your comments on the post, glad you liked it. more on my mum's attitude to life another time
That’s such a shame to hear that there are few mature students now. My uni course was about 30% mature students and it made a huge difference to have a lovely group of women in their 50s in the classes and lectures offering sage advice to us flighty 18 year olds.
I remember being in my first year of my Arts degree, sitting in Wallace Theatre - about 300 students in the amphitheatre. There was an elderly gentleman, Einstein-white hair, way down at the front of the amphitheatre. I was fascinated by him! I never spoke to him but I have never forgotten him - always very curious and have always loved the idea of being a lifelong learner.
As an adult, I worked in Academic Support at a university that welcomed a significant number of mature students, though by then we didn't call them that. But most had had families and careers and were the first in their families to attempt tertiary education. I loved working with those students.
I love listening to you, Sue. Your mum's response - so so interesting! I loved how you threaded together your study concepts and routines with snotty noses and calamine lotion - I could really see that scene! Love your writing, Sue - precise and engaging with a pleasant touch of humour!
Lovely to hear this, KK. The world was a more rounded space when mature students started to appear in work forces. Gave them more substance somehow. Older people with life experience added something to seminars, lecturers were wary of them because they argued, not like the 18 year olds who took notes, said nothing and couldnt wait for the seminar to end! Thanks for your comments on the post, glad you liked it. more on my mum's attitude to life another time
yes, curious for more about your mum's concerns! I do understand where she's coming from, I think.