Well-being and YU Episode

Picture a first-year lecture hall. Now think about the people in that hall— are they all fresh out of high school, the same age, with similar first-year experiences? I hope your answer is no, and here’s why. York University is home to over 6,000 mature students. These are adult learners who bring stories of courage, resilience and determination that challenge traditional expectations of who a student is. After all, who puts a timeline on learning? 
 
Mature students often walk a different path to university than most: some are parents, some return after years in the workforce and many balance full-time jobs or other demanding roles. What unique challenges do mature students face that traditional-age students might not? Beyond just academics, mature students may seek a “student experience” that looks different from the typical idea of campus life. How do they find community, friendship and balance? 

In this episode, our host Susu B sits down with Samantha Maxwell, Employment Consultant, Job Developer, and Student Success Lead at the Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-Time Students (ACMAPS), as well as Vice President of the York University Mature Student Organization (YUMSO). Together, they explore the emotional landscape of mature students; the empowerment, the feelings of being out of place and how to reframe these experiences. They also discuss how mature students are perceived by younger peers and how all students can foster more inclusive, respectful campus interactions.  
 
Whether you’re a mature student or a traditionally-aged one, this episode shows how we can all can learn from and support each other to create a stronger, more inclusive campus community.