Myth-busting “mature student” fears
There are many reasons people choose to study later in life. Some never had the opportunity straight after school. Some are looking to up-skill after a hiatus in their careers (such as stay-at-home moms with older children who are looking to re-enter the working world). Some want to get “unstuck” and progress faster, or to make a complete career change. Whatever the case may be, their fears tend to be similar, according to Atelisha Harilal, Head of Marketing & Student Recruitment at JSE-listed higher education provider, STADIO Holdings.
“Mature students worry about getting back into the classroom after so long, managing their family and / or professional responsibilities, and overcoming technology challenges,” she says. “But at STADIO, we have more mature students than school-leavers and they enjoy a high level of success. What I always say to prospective mature students is, ‘These other adult learners are just like you. They are people with jobs or families (or both). They also have the demands of family and social lives as they undertake this journey.’ I want mature students to know they are not alone and there are support systems in place to help ensure their success.”
Distance learning in the digital era
Harilal says distance learning qualifications tend to be popular with mature students for their flexibility and suitability for various career stages, including late-life career changes. However, many prospective students are nervous about the technology platforms or unsure of the time commitment required.
“Any type of study requires time commitment,” she says. “But resolving that you’re going to undertake academic studies should be accompanied by the resolution that you will allocate time to them, and make the required changes in your personal and professional life. We’ve designed our distance learning qualifications with a high degree of flexibility on the course load, so students can decide how many modules make the most sense for them. The advantage of distance learning is that it’s asynchronous, allowing you to engage with the material whenever and however you would like rather than having to fit in with a specific schedule.”
Another advantage is the sheer number of qualifications now available. STADIO has more than 50 distance learning qualifications on offer. Harilal says the three most popular are the Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Higher Certificate in Management, and Diploma in Management. “The PGCE is popular with people looking to change careers and start teaching,” she says. “It’s a great option for those who have a background in a subject like accounting or science who want to put their knowledge and experience to use in the education sector. Our management qualifications are often selected by people looking to accelerate their progress in the workplace, as well as entrepreneurs wanting to develop business acumen. But distance education is now an option for almost every career, whether you’re working in the legal, political, media or technology sector, among others.”
No such thing as a typical student
“Years ago, the ‘typical student’ was an 18-year-old school-leaver, but this has changed,” says Harilal. “There is no typical student. There is only a student who is persistent and desires to achieve their goals. Don’t picture student life as being only for young people. You can learn something new at any stage of your life.”
She encourages prospective students to recognise education as a tool that can amplify their careers, desires and mission. “One of the biggest mistakes is having a blind spot towards planning your career,” she says. “If you want a promotion or want to earn more, have the critical conversations about where your skills gap is, and how to fill it. If you want to be a manager, how you get management skills? It’s about understanding how you create a pathway from where you come from to where you want to be.”