Mature Age Students


Did you know that one third of the students enrolled at UWS are mature age? Mature age students make up a socially, culturally, religiously, financially and academically diverse community. They have the ability to integrate motivation and a genuine love of lifelong learning into their university experience, as well as possessing the determination, perseverance, resilience and capacity to succeed and overcome hardships.

Mature Age Student Tips and Tricks

We asked some of our mature age students what their Tips and Tricks for new mature age students would be, here are their responses:

  • Attend Orientation!
  • Gain confidence with the basics. Check out the free Bridging Programs.
  • Make a monthly or yearly planner to stick on the wall next to your computer. Track of all assessments, meetings, events, etc. Do this in Week 1 when you read your Unit Outlines.  
  • Find out what it all means. If you are unsure about what all the terminology means around here, there is an A-Z guide available.

  • Learn to love the library. Do a tour - it will help with navigating the Library and how to search for books, journals and other useful resources.

More Tips and Tricks are available in the UWS Peer Guide for Mature Age Students [PDF, 274.34 KB] (opens in a new window).

Mature Age Students FAQs

We have gathered answers from current Mature Aged students the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

I need help with balancing my workload. Is there someone at Uni I can talk to?

  • The best person to start talking to is your Course Adviser. They will be able to talk to you about workloads in the course, for example how many hours you are expected to dedicate to the course or a subject/unit. They will also be able to let you know if you can start the course part time and consider moving to full time.
  • The Counselling Unit run courses and sessions about workload, including drop in before you drop out, motivation and planning as well as time management. Definitely see what they offer in the semester you start.

I want to connect with like-minded people.

  • Have you considered volunteer work in an area you enjoy? This would be a great experience to put on your resume and help you apply what you are learning in a practical situation.
  • Form a study buddy group! 
  • Start the conversation, ask about second opinions and other students perspectives of the world.
  • Suggest lunch or coffee together before or after class as a way of connecting with students in your subject/unit.

More FAQs are available in the UWS Peer Guide for Mature Age Students [PDF, 274.34 KB] (opens in a new window).

Events for Mature Age Students:

Do you need help with your study skills?

Has it been a while since you wrote an essay?
Are you unhappy with your marks?
Overwhelmed by all the reading?
Do you want to know more about plagiarism?

If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you may benefit from one of the free study skills workshops on offer at UWS. Just visit the Study skills workshop page to find one that suits you.

Starting Out - Returning to Learning workshop

The Starting Out - Returning to Learning workshop will run on Parramatta campus on Saturday 27th July. You can register online for this workshop.  

The Starting Out - Returning to Learning workshop runs before the University teaching session begins and is designed for students returning to learning after a significant break from education.

During the workshop you will explore issues relevant to your success as a Mature age student. Specific areas include:

  • managing the challenging roles and responsibilities of student life
  • understanding university processes and procedures
  • developing your support networks to get the most out of your university experience

You'll also have a two hour practical IT experience in a UWS computer lab, which can help you understand some of the ways you may need to use a computer for your study. 

Register online to join the Starting Out workshop.   

Library tours

The UWS Library (opens in a new window) runs tours at the beginning of each session. The library is one of the most useful resources available to you during your studies and it is important to understand how to find that key text or online journal article, so you should go to one if you can.

Visit the library tours webpage (opens in a new window) to see when the next tour is on at your campus library. 

Prime Time

Prime Time is the UWS mature age students club. Come along for social activities and networking. See the facebook page (opens in a new window) for more details, meeting times and other group activities.   

Campus Connection

Campus Connection is an online meeting place for UWS students to connect with other students and discuss student life. There are chat rooms and discussion forums, as well as resource materials to browse including the new Emotional Health and Well Being modules.

Log in through your vUWS account using your Student ID and password. If you are having difficulties accessing Campus Connection, please email matureage@uws.edu.au.

MATES@UWS

MATES@UWS is about providing first year students with the opportunity to be connected with students further along in their study journey. MATES about helping students to make social networks and acquire knowledge and skills to help them settle into life at university.

If you are interested in being involved visit the MATES@UWS webpage or email mates@uws.edu.au.