Roar writer Charmaine Tan reflects on being a mature King’s student under 25.
Like most Freshers, I was 18 when I first went to university. Fresh-faced, wide-eyed me was so excited for this new adventure that awaited me: university lectures, flat mates, cooking for myself, meeting so many new people from all around the world. It was my first time living alone, away from family, and I was eager to have all that newfound freedom. I could go out whenever, eat whatever, and do whatever I wanted to. That was 18-year-old Fresher me.
Four years later, I found myself in the exact same plight. Except, much of that initial excitement was replaced with nervousness and concerns that I would not fit in. I was 22. I was a fake Fresher. It was not my first time at university. I knew how things worked around here. With the pandemic breaking out last year, I’d also had my whole first-year experience online, making me feel even more out of place than I already felt when I finally stepped onto campus for the first time last month.
After studying Film for two years at my previous university, I decided to transfer so that I could pursue Law instead. Hence, I embarked on my new journey in London as a mature student at KCL, and this is what my experience has been like.
18? 21? 25? Physically, it doesn’t make a difference
Initially worried that I would stand out, one thing I’ve come to realise is that, although technically a mature student, no one can really tell if you’re 18, 21 or 25. Most students will just assume you’re one of them, in the 18-21 ambiguous age group; that is, until you let slip the “in my previous uni…†sentence, after which you’ll probably end up divulging your whole life story.
People don’t treat you any differently
When I first went to King’s, I was extremely anxious about making friends. I was stressed that others would treat me differently for being four years older than others in my year. But the fact is, no one really cares. They may be surprised to hear that you’re not 18, but that’s about it. I haven’t been treated any differently; not by my course mates, not my professors. As young mature students, we actually fit in quite well.
People go to you for advice (…?)
Part of being a mature student is also the fact that people think you’re wiser. In the past year, many have come to me for advice about changing degrees, finding jobs, and life in general. People love asking about my experiences, because I’ve supposedly “been there, done thatâ€. But I have to say, as a 22-year-old who has never even had a full-time job, I really do not “have more life experiencesâ€. Yes, I’m a mature student; yes, I’ve been alive by ever so slightly longer; but no, I do not have wisdom, so please do not ask me for life advice.
Our priorities are likely to be different from other people’s
Mature students often have a reason for being a mature student. Whether it be a tight financial situation, a change in area of study, or other reasons, we’re usually more motivated to be at university. More often than not, we want to be there. For us old folks, Freshers’ week isn’t just about going out every night, and university not all about pulling all-nighters and revision. Other priorities could include having to work, or even caring for our children. For us, university could mean anything from the stepping stone of a mid-career change to a means of satisfying our curiosity in a particular subject.
You’re very likely not alone
Last but not least, I was impressed by the number of mature students I have met so far in London, and not just those from my course. There is also a senior community in my student accommodation, as well as younger mature students in my flat. Mature students are everywhere. There’s even a network helping us adapt to university life, especially those on the older side of the spectrum.
I must say that coming into King’s, I had my reservations about being an older student, even if only by a couple of years. However, now that I am actually here and experiencing on-campus student life, I have to admit that it turned out to be much better than I’d imagined. Of course, having met many others in similar situations as well, it made me realise that, mature student or not, we’re all still a part of KCL.
