A dedicated mature student welcome day offers you the chance to meet other new starters as well as existing students, while representatives from various departments including student services will be on hand to answer questions. And in Freshers’ Week, the mature students lunch is a relaxed social event to help break the ice and get settled.

The Learner Enhancement Team supports mature students during their time at Aston, offering drop-in sessions in their office, where the door is always open for a friendly ear and a coffee. As well as organising activities, they work closely with the Mature Student Committee.

The Mature Students Aston Society, which you can join for just £7 a year, offers social events as well as a dedicated common room with kitchen and IT facilities.

Top Tips for mature students - by mature students

  • Studying takes up a significant amount of your time. Prepare your friends and family for this, and find out if there are practical ways they can help, such as with childcare, so you can hit the books in peace.
  • Don’t assume younger students won’t want to get to know you, or that you won’t have anything in common. All students bring a range of experiences and interests to university – regardless of their age or background – so try and get to know as many people as possible.
  • Join the Mature Students’ Society where you can meet and socialise with people in the same boat. It’s a good place to get tips from students in other years, and having a base to relax and catch up with people can make a real difference.
  • Look at ways to bring beneficial aspects of your pre-university experience into your studies. You may already be skilled at planning your time, writing draft documents or have an understanding of the circumstances that enable you to work at your best.
  • Write revision notes after every lecture. When you’re trying to balance studies with dependants, housework, shopping, etc. you find little opportunity to prepare for exams. Putting in the time early on makes things a lot easier.
  • Last but not least, if you’re feeling stressed, talk to people! From ARC and student counselling to your peer mentor, personal tutor and the Learner Enhancement Team, Aston offers a range of support services to help you feel good about your studies.