Richard is the Student Officer for the Network for Mature and Part-Time Students, Parents and Carers
We caught up with Richard as he talked to us about returning to University after a 30 plus year career, and why forging a community for mature students has been so important to him
Choosing to go back to uni
I've worked for 30 plus years in marketing and communications within financial services - i really enjoyed my career, which gave me a lot of variety and interest, but I came to the realisation that I'd like to take a different direction in my life, and I finally took the plunge to start an MA in Archaeology with a view to forging a second career in this area.
It was quite intimidating at first to walk back into a university classroom after so many years out, but I soon was able to settle in to academic life.
Leading the Network
The Mature Network is a real passion of mine - mature students are a really large part of UCL, and I believe it's really important to be there for them, and to create a space where they can get to know other people who are sharing the same issues and perspectives as them. I wanted to have a good social network for myself, having made this big life change, but I also really wanted to help others connect too.
Our network exists to cater for the diverse and heterogenous community of mature students at UCL. Many have different outlooks and motivations to study compared to students who have started UCL straight from school, or they may be starting here coming from overseas with the challenges that can bring. Most are returning to academia after time in the workforce and that can be daunting.
I see the network's role as providing a home for our mature students and a space where they can exchange views, help solve issues and problems via discussion and networking, and simply have fun! This year we concentrated on providing opportunities to meet in person, supported digitally via our What's App group.
I see the network's role as providing a home for our mature students
The first term is particularly important as that is when our members are finding their feet, socially, academically and organisationally. So, there was a lot of activity - something every week, from wine and cheese nights to coffee mornings and board games meet ups. I found it really heartening to see that lots of people made their own friendships through the network and went on to meet independently.
Reflecting on my time
Looking back the highlights have been working with an active supporting team (of Cami, Uta, Danilo, Jason) to help run events and provide guidance, and just the sheer number of meet ups we organised for the network. I have personally got a lot out of the role and have been glad to support our mature students and to have given back to UCL. I have met a lot of very interesting people, all with their unique stories. That's the power of UCL.
I have personally got a lot out of the role and have been glad to support our mature students and to have given back to UCL.
I would say one piece of advice I'd give to somebody starting out at UCL is to make the most of your connections - to get to know people in your course, get to know other people in your department and faculty, and to try and make connections as much as possible within your chosen field.