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Returning to education as a mature student can be both an exciting and daunting experience. For many, the decision to enrol in college later in life comes with challenges that younger students may not face.
From navigating the world of technology-driven learning to balancing academic responsibilities with work or family, the prospect of stepping into a classroom can feel like a big move.
Despite these challenges, the journey back to education often proves to be an empowering and transformative one.
Of the 84,020 students who applied through last year’s CAO, 7,463 of them were mature students. One of whom was 67-year-old Pat Savage, a retired dairy farmer from Charleville, Co Cork who decided to fulfil his lifelong dream of going to college.
He started a Bachelor of Arts in Mary Immaculate College (MIC) Limerick last September where he is studying English, history, philosophy, drama and theatre studies.
Developing a dairy farm
Farming close to the Limerick border, Pat used to tell people he was the top farmer in Cork – his farm sits on the top of the county!
“When I was 11, my father died in a farm accident. I finished secondary school and I went to Pallaskenry [agricultural college] for a year. I took over the farm when I was 18, I liked farming and there weren’t any other choices,” he says.
The farm had dairy cows, but within six months of his father’s passing they were sold as, with five children, Pat’s mother couldn’t do it all.
As a result, when he took over the farm, he had to build up the herd slowly by buying heifers.
The farm was also very run down so Pat developed it by putting in roadways and buildings. Quotas came in during this period which limited growth of the farm but he focused on efficiency and productivity like the New Zealand model.
In 2018, during the spring period, Pat was stressed and ended up with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). This blocked the blood flow to his heart, resulting in a heart attack.
“I was in hospital for 10 days and I couldn’t work for a couple of months. My wife, Eileen, came in and she said ‘isn’t that a warning sign?’ I was milking 115 cows at the time. Being a man, I agreed with everything that she said, and then I bought 15 more cows,” he adds.
Eventually though, Pat decided to retire from farming and lease the farm.
“It is difficult because it is your whole life, I worked seven days a week like all dairy farmers, it was everything.”
Returning to education
After looking into different colleges in Limerick, Pat decided to apply through the mature entry on the CAO and enrol in MIC as it had a smaller number of students compared to other colleges.
One of the biggest realisations for him was he was noticeably older than the other students.
“After two or three weeks, you become invisible, whereas you’re very visible at the start. At first, if I stopped in the corridor, someone just out of secondary school would come up and say ‘excuse me Sir, where is room 204?’ I’d have to explain that I was a student like them,” says Pat.
Assignments and written work were also something he had to get used to.
“I hadn’t written anything for 45 years, whereas most of the others had come straight from the Leaving Cert. Looking at a blank page was difficult at the start, but there are academic writing supports here you can go to,” explains Pat.
The one big surprise he experienced since starting in September was when he went into a history tutorial, which would normally have 12 or 14 students to find almost no one there.
“There was just me and one other student. I asked her if something was wrong and where was everyone?
“It turns out it was the College Christmas Day in Limerick (when students take to the streets of the city, dressed in festive attire), ” he says, laughing.
Pat, who has featured in a viral TikTok video about being a mature student, is enjoying his return to education immensely.
“At the moment, in English, we’re starting A Street Car Named Desire and I’ve seen the film, but it’s great to see the background, the structure. Education is an absolute luxury. Lecturers are passionate about their subject, and they want to get the information across to and encourage you,” he says.
For anyone thinking about returning to college Pat has the following advice: “I would say to any farmer or anyone that is retired, you now have an opportunity to follow your dream.
“You hear of people in their 20s and 30s following their dreams, and then when you get to 60, you think you’re too old. You’re never too old, follow those dreams,” he says.
So what is Pat looking forward to the most over the next four years as a student?
“Getting invited to next year’s College Christmas Day!”he laughs.
Academic support
On the support side of things, Nicola Moses, PATH 1 programme manager at MIC welcomes mature students and helps them to access and succeed in their chosen programmes of study.
“We recognise that there are specific barriers that mature students face, such as financial issues, caring responsibilities, commuting, working while studying, etc, and we aim to support students to overcome these barriers.
“Education is lifelong and it’s never too late to explore your interests and challenge yourself, as is evident with Pat.”
Prospective mature students can apply for financial grants and scholarships, from organisations such as the university itself, their local Credit Union, SUSI and St Vincent de Paul. Once in college or university, students can access financial support from the Student Assistance Fund and the 1916 Bursary, plus other sources.
“In terms of entry, mature students don’t need to meet the same entry requirements as under-23s,” explains Nicola.
“Once they are a student, there’s a dedicated support office or person in most HEIs, that will ensure they have access to supports they may need throughout their studies, such as peer support, counselling and study skills support.”
For more information, contact the MIC admissions office on 061 205 137 or email:admissions@mic.ul.ie
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