Pop stars and posties are returning to study
By: Communications
For many people becoming a student is something that happens straight after leaving school but for those that did not get a degree in their twenties, it is never too late to go to university.
Mature students are defined as any student who begins their undergraduate studies after the age of 21. Some have always regretted not getting a degree or decided to study because they are passionate about a subject. Studying later in life can be an enjoyable experience with great rewards.
Five UEA mature students with different reasons for returning to education and diverse life stories talk about why they decided to study and how they have found the experience.
Rollo Armstrong is 57 and is two years into a part time history degree. Rollo has had a successful career as a music producer working with bands like The Pet Shop Boys, Suede and Simply Red and one part of the group Faithless. Although Rollo already has a degree in Philosophy and English, he has always had a great interest in history and as a part-time student can fit this in with work. Rollo spoke to a lecturer before applying to see how easy it would be for him to return to study after 30 years. Rollo’s children are 18 and 17 and helped him put together his first presentation.
Rollo said: “I always thought that I would love to do a history degree. Everything that has happened by definition is history so it can’t be boring, and I think the level of teaching at UEA is amazing: sometimes the lecturers are half my age, but their knowledge of the subject and their ability to deliver that knowledge is always interesting and, sometimes, deeply inspiring. At this stage of life to learn something new, to understand more about the world that made me -and where my kids will have to survive, in fact, just to acquire knowledge from those who really know their stuff: it doesn’t get much better.”
Sara Barnard is 33 and has just finished a full-time marketing degree. After having children Sara found it difficult to return to her job as a coordinator for BT. Whilst working at a local supermarket, she met someone who was studying at UEA and persuaded her that it was something she could also do. Sara initially found the access course quite difficult but ended up getting distinctions for her work. Sara is currently doing an internship for a start-up based in the Enterprise Centre and is looking into studying a master's degree. Sara has also started up a support group for mature students and organises events for them four or five times a year.
Sara said: “I chose business as it is so transferable. In my first year I found my passion for marketing. I had already done a bit of marketing on Instagram. It has been quite challenging at times to fit in work, study and childcare but I want my children to see that anything is possible."
Bob Carter is 62 and in his first year of a full-time law degree and works part-time for BBC Radio Norfolk. Bob made a choice between studying law or becoming a journalist after A-Levels and chose the media. Bob had a very successful career working for the BBC on Radio 5, Radio One and Radio 4, as well as a time working in New York. Bob had always wondered what would have happened if he had chosen to study law and after completing many sporting endurance challenges, he decided to apply his sporting mindset to something intellectual. Although Bob had plenty of experience in writing articles, he found the access course very useful in writing academic essays.
Bob said: “The great thing about being a mature student is that you have already lived so much. It is hard work and time consuming, and you really need to plan and organise yourself. If you are in your 60’s don’t worry about forgetting things, it’s simply not the case."
Nigel Westlake is retired and has just completed a full-time history degree at the age of 60. Nigel left school to join the Airforce at 16, and then later became a postman. Returning to education was not something that Nigel thought was possible for him as he had family commitments. When visiting university open days with one of his children Nigel spoke to a mature student’s advisor who told him that he was still eligible for a student loan and encouraged him to look into returning to study.
Nigel said: “Returning to study was a real eye-opener as I hadn’t studied for over 40 years but doing the access course helped me get used to essay writing and my experience as a union rep helped with speaking in front of a class when giving presentations.”
Holly Gilman is 30 and has just completed a foundation year and is studying liberal arts. Holly worked in global tax in London for 10 years but found that, after having children, she felt squeezed out of her job. After trying to find work that fitted around childcare, Holly made the decision to return to study full time. After researching a few different institutions, including the Open University, Holly got in touch with Gemma Standen who helped Holly see that it was achievable to study full time around having young children. Gemma encouraged Holly to apply through clearing so that she could start straight away.
Holly said: "I applied through clearing and within two weeks had started my course. I hadn’t done anything other than numbers-based education for over 10 years so it has been great doing the foundation course. Having young children has made me work better. I cannot afford to leave work until the last minute and have to really carefully plan my work, giving myself deadlines so that I can get work done. It also means that I can switch off when I am with the children and am not thinking about work."
For more information on becoming a mature student, visit the UEA Mature Students webpage or contact Gemma Standen at: maturestudents@uea.ac.uk.
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