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Course eases challenges of life long learning
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October 28, 2003
Life long learning may be a mantra of the new millennium, but it is not easy being a perennial mature student. Given the fast pace at which information technology, subject matter and learning techniques are changing, adjusting to academic life can be as life long as upgrading knowledge.
Shiraz Ramji, a mature student in his 50s at Simon Fraser University, is proof of that. Originally from Tanzania, Ramji has two undergraduate degrees, two masters and a diploma under his belt. Yet, he is taking an eight-week course that helps mature students adjust to academic life while acquiring his SFU Post Baccalaureate Diploma in education. "I still need to upgrade my learning techniques and computer skills. I also need to stay current on new types of exams," says Ramji.
Ramji is in SFU’s second annual Mature Student Course, run by the university’s Health, Counselling and Career Centre (HCCC). Participants in the course are more than 23 years of age and come from a variety of backgrounds. They’ve typically been out of school a while and have some post-secondary education. Many are women in their 30s and 40s, juggling the responsibilities of family, school, work and sometimes single parenthood. Some are struggling with learning English as a second language, and spend copious amounts of time deciphering lecture notes and research.
"About two thirds of the students in the program are women," says Connie Coniglio, associate director, counselling and clinical support at HCCC. "I think women often feel less stigma about reaching out for help, while men are more inclined to struggle on their own with acclimatizing to an academic environment before seeking help."
Students in the program’s two-hour classes share their individual challenges as mature students and get concrete help on overcoming them through presentations and discussions.
Contact:
Connie Coniglio, 604.291.3197; connie_coniglio@sfu.ca
Shiraz, Ramji; shiraz_ramji@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR; 604.291.3035 cthorbes@sfu.ca
—30—
(electronic photo of Ramji available)
Website: SFU health, counselling & career centre,
www.sfu.ca/hccc/pages/workshops_learning.html
Shiraz Ramji, a mature student in his 50s at Simon Fraser University, is proof of that. Originally from Tanzania, Ramji has two undergraduate degrees, two masters and a diploma under his belt. Yet, he is taking an eight-week course that helps mature students adjust to academic life while acquiring his SFU Post Baccalaureate Diploma in education. "I still need to upgrade my learning techniques and computer skills. I also need to stay current on new types of exams," says Ramji.
Ramji is in SFU’s second annual Mature Student Course, run by the university’s Health, Counselling and Career Centre (HCCC). Participants in the course are more than 23 years of age and come from a variety of backgrounds. They’ve typically been out of school a while and have some post-secondary education. Many are women in their 30s and 40s, juggling the responsibilities of family, school, work and sometimes single parenthood. Some are struggling with learning English as a second language, and spend copious amounts of time deciphering lecture notes and research.
"About two thirds of the students in the program are women," says Connie Coniglio, associate director, counselling and clinical support at HCCC. "I think women often feel less stigma about reaching out for help, while men are more inclined to struggle on their own with acclimatizing to an academic environment before seeking help."
Students in the program’s two-hour classes share their individual challenges as mature students and get concrete help on overcoming them through presentations and discussions.
Contact:
Connie Coniglio, 604.291.3197; connie_coniglio@sfu.ca
Shiraz, Ramji; shiraz_ramji@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR; 604.291.3035 cthorbes@sfu.ca
—30—
(electronic photo of Ramji available)
Website: SFU health, counselling & career centre,
www.sfu.ca/hccc/pages/workshops_learning.html