I am planning my graduate thesis on mature students at Trent University; their challenges, their needs, and their awareness and use of supports within the school. While I will be making use of ERIC and other suitable databases, I would love to hear about current research on this subject. I would also like to know about any existing support systems or other services/accomodations within other institutions which are tailored to mature students. Content from Canada would be wonderful, but I am equally interested in how the needs of these students are handled (or not) across the globe. Thanks for your assistance.
Hello Lydia:
The needs of the graduate international students have not always been addressed in higher education as well as graduate students' academic support, so my research focused on "drawing" out these needs and how they can be addressed:
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Best regards,
Debra
Thank you. While I was thinking of focusing on undergraduate students, I agree that graduate students are likely to face many of the same challenges. I will look through the material that you have provided.
I run a small online program for RNs who are going back to complete their baccalaureate degree. Most are adults, working full-time, raising families and juggling work, home and school. Many have been nurses for 10-20 years already. I came here after teaching the same population online for a national nursing university at the same time I was dean on-ground with both traditional students and older students. In the 2000+ students I taught over that time frame, the older adults with far more on their plates were stronger students. When I asked them about their success, most replied that they simply had to be organized and careful time managers to get done.
That aside, my dissertation completed last year was qualitative phenomenological and I interviewed a variety of students of all ages to explore ways faculty help or hinder success. Feeling cared about and respected was a major theme for success.
Thank you, Trudi, I would love to see your dissertation, if you would be willing to share it with me. I really think that mature students are going to become more and more common within post-secondary education as adults respond to the ever-shifting job market and changing technology. I agree that older students seem to be more dedicated to their studies, despite the complexity of their lives. I think, in part, it is because they are more focused on what they are learning, and have more purpose for their studies than new graduates, who are still figuring out their life paths.
Hi Lydia, my research is using online assessment of mathematics within engineering as a vehicle to explore the sense of belonging of 1st year undergraduate students. I have approximately 25% mature students in my classes and my data shows how they are more likely to proceed than "standard students". I have conducted phenomenological interviews with mature students to hear their voices and have reported on it. My college in Ireland operates a variety of support mechanisms for mathematics, writing and study skills. I can provide you with research activities here in Ireland if this helps you.
Hi Lydia. I work and research in the pre-university (preparatory) area and the vast majority of our students are mature age, often referred to as second-chance learners given that they are re-engaging with formal education after varying periods of time (and motivations). By far their biggest restraints are financial and physical and mental health issues, and juggling all the life balls they have to throw into the mix when returning to study. My research has shown that it is not the 'academic' as such' that challenges the students, but the life issues' they confront in a context that is often alien to them and their families. There are many enabling courses in Australia, most situated in the university they prepare their students for entry to. Let me know if this is of any help. Kind regards Julie
Dr Julie Willans
Thank you, Julie. That has definitely fit my personal experience. It has been a huge struggle to cope with the split demands of home and school, and finances have been deeply strained. Some recent research I have been assisting with has opened my eyes as to how little is available in terms of financial supports elsewhere in the world. Many financial aid programs have age caps around 35 for post-graduate studies. Mental health has also been a big challenge for me. On the other hand, I am so thankful that I have made this journey. I am so much happier with what I do now.
I would be very interested to see what you have been researching. While the school I attend (and am studying) is not preparatory in nature, it has close links with the local college, which does have preparatory courses. I had not considered examining this link, but it may be beneficial to my survey. My goal is to evaluate the current situation so that I might propose ways to improve it (and possibly initiate such programming as a part of my doctorate).
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