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Education News Mature Students Part one of four Managing busy schedules and demands Preparation is essential Mature students perform as well as - and in some cases better than - other students do If you were to ask any mature student how they manage to juggle their studies, jobs and home life, you could expect a huge variety of responses. Many mature students lead double lives: they are pursuing careers, raising children and providing extraordinary service as volunteers in their communities while they go to school. Managing busy schedules and demands Each face different challenges in managing busy schedules and demands, and it is inevitable that conflicts and clashes occur. Yet, somehow, they manage to divide their time and energy between lectures on campus and life at home without too much difficulty. Take Neil McAdams, age 48, and a father of one (David, age 9), who graduated last year with an honors degree in Art History from the University of British Columbia (UBC). Neil is part of the fastest-growing segment in higher education today: adults who decide that they wish to return to school to better themselves either personally or in careers. Every mature student has his or her own reasons for wanting to return to study: For some, it is to enhance career prospects, for many it is simply personal development or a long held desire to study a specific subject. The trend towards lifelong learning is also contributing to the growth. Education no longer ends with graduation, but continues with retraining in the workforce. Preparation is essential Whatever the reason, preparation is essential and prospective students need to think carefully about the effect their academic commitments will have on them, their family, their time and their financial situation. Like many mature students, Neil enrolled for a foundation course. These courses test a prospective student's ability and help prepare them to meet the challenge of a degree course. In Neil's case there was no doubt. He was admitted to UBC and threw himself into his studies. Today he recalls how, although the many younger members of his group constantly invited him, he never socialized with them. "I had to get home to my son. Time was limited and I had to prepare dinner while doing homework. After dinner, I would spend some quality time with David, so I would often have to work all through the night or get up at three in the morning to finish a project. It was very tough at times. I thought that, because I was older than the other students, I should have been able to do things better but I was wrong." He also recalls how his parents would take David away for school holidays and long weekends, leaving Neil behind to get on with his work. "Frankly, I was terrified of failing and I didn't want to let myself or my family down. Going back to school is a lifestyle change, not just for the adult student, but also for the entire family. It takes planning and the support of all involved. My friends and family offered me all the support I needed. I could not have done it without them." It all paid off. Neil is now working alongside the curator of contemporary art at a well-known Museum. He feels extremely content in his work. Despite the challenges many mature students face during the course of their studies, the message from most is that, because of their undertakings and achievements, their lives have become much richer. It may be that they have found new friends, interests, new knowledge and skills or a new self-confidence. Mature students perform as well as - and in some cases better than - other students do Mature students are usually very motivated to succeed in their studies and research indicates that they perform as well as - and in some cases better than - other students do. Many mature students possess traditional qualifications but there are an increasing number of students coming to university via non-traditional routes. The higher levels of inter-personal skills mature students bring through work and life experience can be invaluable and helps them contribute to seminars and tutorials. Dr. Richard Nordquist, professor of English and author of Passages: A Writer's Guide, insists adult learners are some of his best students. "They are better than that - they're simply the lifeblood of this university," he declares. "They are focused and they stimulate and often challenge the faculty. They make this a better place to learn." When Neil received his honors degree last year, his entire family came away with insight into higher education in the 21st-Century - it's all about time management, re-careering and life-long learning. Writer: Lindsey Wood © Copyright 2001. Galt Western Personnel Ltd. 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