Patrick and Kim both share a sense of trepidation when it comes to universities.
He (the university lectuer) and she (the mature age student) have much in common.
The difference is, Professor Patrick James (mountaineer, environmentalist, geologist and Head of School) is able to manage his fear (and that of others') from the vantage point of veteran - having taught as a university for over 30 years.
Patrick made the transition from geologist to university lecturer with three infants in toe - then 2, 3 and 4 years of age.
Now, like Patrick, Kim is embarking on her career as a university student with three young children 7, 6 and 2.
If one of Patrick's many passions is teaching, Kim's burgeoning passion is teaching and maths, after having worked at her children's school. Now Kim - like the other 40 or so participants of the Early Preparation Workshop at Mawson Lakes - is returning to study as a mature aged student to follow her dreams.
This is no mean feat (as any mature aged student will atest) and Kim decided to come along to UniSA Mawson Lakes' early Preparation workshop to help quell her 'fears'.
Although Kim has studied as an external student on and off for a few years, she came to the Early Preparation Workshop because she felt 'scared' and 'wanted to know what this 'university' thing is like'.
However, while anxiety is commonly experienced among returning students, Patrick is quick to dispel the need for fear, pointing out that students returning to study after a long break are highly motivated to succeed and should therefore have faith in their abilities.
But Patrick is quick to point out that 'fear' is not just the province of the new student and he questions who is the more nervous - the student or the lecturer?
He reflects on his own experience when he was first thrust in front of 50 students and told to go 'teach them'. 'Those days', said Patrick, 'I used to get so nervous that I couldn't eat breakfast in the mornings'. This was compounded by the pressure of having to continously present as 'the expert' and to be 'lecturer, actor, researcher and write the script'.
Patrick's best advice to new students is to not to underestimate their abilities.
Now that Kim has completed two days of the Early Preparation workshop, she can sagely offer her singlemost best piece of advice.
'There IS help if you are willing to ask for it. The internet (amongst other things) at University is baffling, but you CAN talk to people'.
Andrea Duff
Learning Adviser
2 comments:
It was great to hear one of the lecturers today commenting on adult entry students. In her experience they are very clear about what they want to study, keen and usually very successful.
Loved working with this year's Early Preparation group,
Helen
Hey every one! Im very new in Oz, in particular Adelaide.
B4 coming here i never really used to follow maps well, but here no map no movement.I like the experience though!The transport sytm 4me is amazing;reliable & convinient.The people are so willing to help e.g I was stuck with directions the other day & some1 cm 2me and asked if I was fine!!!
The strange experience was when i had 2 learn from the backpackers that a person can just walk into others & never bother to say "hi!!!!" The least they can do it here is by smiling. U get 2 a bus stop u find people justing waiting quetly 4 the bus.As odd as seems to me,Im beggining to interpret it in a positive way.
Hope u get 2 enjoy this place as much as i do.Things are very organised.But the weather is quite smthin- if its not too cold then its toooo hot. Whatever the Aussies have done with thier average temp!
Welcome to UniSA
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