Published on: Tuesday, 10 November 2015

Exhibition Hall format
Programme of Events

CIT is holding an information evening for prospective full-time mature students on Tuesday 24th November from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Tourism & Hospitality Building in the CIT Bishopstown Campus.
 

The CIT Mature Student Information Evening will take place on Tuesday, 24th November from 6.00pm – 8.30pm at the Tourism & Hospitality Building, in the CIT Bishopstown Campus. 

Information stands providing information on course and career options will be available from 6.00pm-8.30pm. Information sessions starting at 6.00pm will provide information on; the application procedures for entry to CIT, fees, financial assistance, student services and supports, the mature student experience. Session A will begin at 6.30pm and be repeated at 7.10pm. Session B will begin at 7.10pm and will be repeated at 7.50pm. For further information please visit www.cit.ie/maturestudents  or contact Christine on: 021 433 5138 or email: maturestudent@cit.ie.

Returning to education as a mature student after a break, or entering it for the first time can be a very exciting and life changing experience. A mature student is defined as anybody who is 23 years or older by 1st January on the year of entry. Each year CIT welcomes a new cohort of mature students and is continually working towards wider entry routes in order to increase participation of this group. Mature students bring a range of life skills to the class room that enrich the learning experience for all. While recognising that taking up full time education as a mature student can be a daunting prospect and will present challenges, an extensive range of supports are provided in CIT which are specific to the needs of mature students. Now is the time to consider your options if you are thinking of pursuing a programme of study in Cork Institute of Technology in 2016. With representatives speaking from SUSI, Dept of Social Protection, the CIT Admissions Office, Sinéad O’Neill, Mature Student Officer encourages anybody considering their options in full time education to attend this event.
 

John Dunlea a recent graduate of CIT tells us about his experience of returning to CIT as a mature student.

"I graduated from Cork Institute of Technology in October 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts, first class honours degree in Social Care. I came to CIT via a FETAC level 5 course in Social Studies at the tender age of 48. Before applying for the course at Cork Institute of Technology I had put a lot of serious thought and research into what I really wanted to do. Social Care ticked all the boxes for me.  The first challenge at college was accepting that, of all of the Mature Students, I was the ‘most mature’, in age at least! It did not stop at that: the challenges just kept on coming. But college is just like everything else in life, what one puts into it, one gets out of it.

Other challenges faced were the volume of work, the quality that work needed to be to achieve the grades I wanted to record. I always bore in mind that I was not going to get another swing at this. This was my one shot at this degree, and I wanted to give it my best. With six modules (subjects) in a semester the assignments are issued at a steady rate and the best way to get them done is by not procrastinating. Hit the ground running and you stay on top of things.

There are many supports at the college to assist any student who identifies that they need them. The trick is to recognise the need early enough and go seek it. Personally I would have utilised many of them. I found the supplementary academic writing skills classes to be invaluable. I have gone up to the wonderful people in Chaplaincy for a cuppa and a natter. I attended counselling to gain the skills to help me manage when balancing college, work and home life was becoming a challenge. Joining one of the many societies is a great way to socialise. And before I left college, the Careers Service educated me in how to prepare a CV and cover letter; I have never been short of work since. Bear in mind the staff in the Access Service are only too willing to try and put in place supports to assist students if they are identified and reported. The greatest resource for any student though is the lecturers. The lecturers at CIT want students to flourish. They will readily assist any student who shows commitment. That means, turn up for lectures and tutorials and engage. 

Although I found the work very challenging at times, I loved my course and never doubted that attending CIT was exactly where I was supposed to be at that time in my life. What I liked about that college is that it is not an impersonal place, even with so many students it is so easy to get to know a vast amount of people, staff and students. 

I am grateful to CIT for the education that I received there and the employment I was afforded due to it, which commenced following practice placement in year one. Truthfully I have made some dodgy choices in my life (be honest, haven’t we all) but choosing to attend CIT was not one of them. If I had to go around again it would be my first choice! If you choose to go there I have no doubt that you will enjoy the experience that Cork Institute of Technology is."