In this diversity equation, there is one small group that is often overshadowed but makes a very valuable contribution: mature students. Mature students (students entering university without a direct path from high school) make up less than ten percent of the students at York University but have a significant impact on this educational road that is less travelled.  

Why do they return to school? They have seen the other side of the mountain and have realized that obtaining a post-secondary education is vital in the pursuit of their dreams and aspirations. The challenge is to always remember that “we can do difficult things,” an inspirational mantra exclaimed by many mature students. This provides the motivation for the passion and purpose that allows mature students to stay fixated on completing their latest educational journeys. This required ammunition supplies the discipline, dedication, and determination to balance the complexities to overcome the often-untimely adversities that they will be confronted with throughout the academic calendar. Quite often, mature students are balancing family life, children, taking care of parents, employment, and sometimes health issues with their schoolwork. As one mature student poignantly detailed, “I complete all my schoolwork between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. before my day starts again at 6 a.m., but it is all worth it.” In a word, it’s SACRIFICE—short-term pain for long-term gain. 

Where do mature students find the resources that are geared towards their unique challenges? Where do mature students find comfort when they are uncomfortable in a university environment with much younger students? ACMAPS (Atkinson Center for Mature and Part Time Students) is instrumental in the success of mature students at York University. Located in Central Square the office assists mature students with academic guidance, workshops, mentorship and providing valuable resources. ACMAPS aims to minimize the struggles of mature students, keep them enrolled and help facilitate their journey towards success. From their first day until their last, mature students have a home at ACMAPS and it truly can make that significant difference in navigating their sea of education to the completion of that coveted degree/certificate.  

So, what is this value that mature students bring to the York University community? University education can be rich in context, philosophical in nature, and historical in content. There is power in having life experience. There is power in self-knowledge. There is power in being comfortable in your own skin. The combination of all these factors leads to a significant impact. Mature students are here to engage and embrace educational materials in various forums that enrich discussion. Truth be told, professors and teaching assistants truly appreciate having mature students in their classrooms. They are often the first to contribute to meaningful discussions, which is an important part of the educational value of university. They are, on many occasions, the first to spearhead social engagement activities that are an important part of the university experience, and they are quite often the first to show appreciation for this educational opportunity, for which we should all have such gratitude.  

We do have this amazing opportunity of enlightenment which leads to our empowerment facilitated through education. In this ever-changing world, we should never take that for granted. 

Therefore, the next time you are fortunate enough to cross paths with a mature student take advantage of the opportunity to converse, collaborate and connect with someone who has been down the road ahead. If you want to know the path forward, ask someone who has been there, you just might learn a thing or two. Remember they got to this point by taking the road less travelled. They will remind you that success is a journey, not a destination. They will remind you to stay focused on the task at hand, and to make sure you graduate with that degree. They will remind you to be an active listener and a thoughtful speaker. They will remind you to be good to yourself and to each other. They will remind you to stay humble and kind. They will remind you that we are all valuable members of the York University community, make sure you make them feel that way. They will remind you that somewhere down the road, there will be answers to the questions of life. Lastly, they will remind you to always remember the York University motto Tentanda via...The way must be tried.