Jordan Bucton, 19 April, 2023
Pharmacy student Jordan Bucton shares tips and advice for mature-age students.
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How did you choose what to study at university?
I had previously studied at TAFE but didn't graduate my course, the course I took wasn't something I was interested in—I just needed to work or study and I had been unsuccessful in gaining employment at the time.
I went to Open Day with my sibling, I wasn't originally looking to come to uni myself—we sat through some talks about different degrees and I was really taken in by the pharmacy degree. I spoke with the Head of the School of Pharmacy and with the Admissions team to figure out my options and how I could go about getting to uni as a mature aged student with a minimal education background.
Everyone I spoke to on the day was incredibly supporting and encouraging, they gave me lots of resources and guidance about how to go about applying to uni and getting into my chosen degree.
How did you gain entry to uni as a mature-age student?
I sat the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) to get my selection rank, it was a tough test but I got a better mark than I expected and it put me in a great position to be accepted into my chosen degree. I got an offer from QUT in the first round after my QTAC application was finalised. Waiting for offers to come out was stressful—even though I had obtained a good rank through the STAT, I wasn't sure if I would make the cut.
I did undertake a Chemistry bridging program to help get me ready for my degree. It was well structured and has helped me immensely—I would have really struggled without the knowledge I got from that course.
Find out about assumed knowledge and prerequisites
How do you manage the cost of studying at university?
I was granted the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) through QTAC. It was extremely helpful and enabled me to purchase a laptop and other items I needed for my degree as well as some non-essential items which made it easier for me to study.
I have a busy, busy life. Outside of my uni study I have 2 part-time jobs and I receive a government pension for caring for a family member. Absolutely access government payments if you can—it can be annoying having to prove your earnings/study but knowing you have that as a base to fall back on if you get sick and can't go to work is priceless.
Getting a part-time job in the industry you're studying can also be really great, it gives you the real-world knowledge and skills and lets you keep your uni knowledge in the front of your mind because you're using it regularly.
Apply for scholarships! The worst that can happen is they say no and you're exactly where you are now, the best that can happen is you get it and it makes your life so much easier and enables you to do things you would never have been able to—it's so worth applying!
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What’s your advice for people returning to uni?
As a mature aged student from a low-income background who undertook bridging and rank equivalency testing to get to uni—it was complicated!
I think the best thing I did in my journey was talk to people. Go to Open Day—talk to as many people as you can, go to the talks, participate in anything that interests you and find out what options are there for the path you're looking at.
Utilise free learning sessions and go to the events and keep the information about future available support. There's nothing wrong with using the support that's available!
Don't think there's no one like you at uni, or get stuck in the idea that uni is for "other people"—uni is for EVERYONE!
Don't worry about needing to study part-time or needing to spend more time than school leavers on study. Everyone is working at their own pace and in their own way—the way you're doing it, if it works for you, is the best way.
