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Information for non-school leaver students

Returning to study

For most non-school leaving students returning to formal study is the realisation of a long-anticipated goal - often achieved after a considerable passage of time and some degree of personal sacrifice. The decision to return to study is generally a well-considered, deliberate move (precipitated for a range of reasons); the intention is to gain personal fulfilment through the continuation of lifelong learning. The expectations resulting from such a high personal investment in returning to study, regarding self, the university, its staff - academic and general - and fellow students are high.

Self Evaluation

This exercise will help identify your strengths and weaknesses as you approach the first-year experience. Give some consideration to the statements that appear below before you undertake this task. On a spectrum labelled 'positive' at one end and 'negative' at the other, consider where you would place each of the items in the random list that follows:

  • attitude toward the interruption to your formal education
  • ability to cope with the academic demands of university
  • recognition of skill transferability
  • perception of school-leaver students
  • organisational ability
  • comfort in communicating with, and relating to, university academic staff
  • a sense of inadequacy due to incomplete secondary education
  • expression skills - verbal
  • commitment to achieving academic goals
  • perception of other non school-leaver students
  • family perception of you as a university student
  • comfort in communicating with, and relating to, university general staff
  • time management skills
  • expression skills - written
  • level of support offered by family

Try to improve the areas of weakness during the course of the year. Utilise the resources and facilities of the university to assist with this improvement.

Useful links

Relating to the University Community

Support Networks at University (Fellow students, MAPS Lounge, staff)

Support Networks beyond University (Family, friends, work colleagues)