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Mature students -
Family
When working full time it can be difficult enough to fit in time for your children and family, so the prospect of further education, which may stretch beyond 9 - 5pm, can be the biggest incentive not to bother. However, by training or learning you will provide several benefits for the family:
1. Building a better future
2. Bringing up your children in a climate of learning
3. Inspiring your family to consider education
4. Being a great role model
5. Creating a sense of pride and achievement in yourself
Many mature students with families admit that sacrifices must be made - a degree or course is an investment for the whole family to make. Institutions recognise that mature students will often have many more priorities and responsibilities than an 18 year old so they make allowances for this. Talk to your personal tutor or an academic counsellor if it is proving difficult to juggle family and study and they will be able to offer practical solutions and advice.
Possible solutions (at discretion of the institution)
- university creche
- bringing your children to lectures
- structuring modules so work is completed in set hours
- offering rooms/family flats on campus
- lecture notes made available on intranet (internal internet systems)
- individual tutorials or tutoring at times to suit you
- extra time to complete assessments
- Parent’s groups for people in similar situations
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DID
YOU KNOW?
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Whilst family support is invaluable, this can be the time to meet new people and make friends, creating a 'support network' of people who are all going throught the same experience and can empathise.
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Work | Money | Family | Age | Lack of formal education | Career | Links
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