Navigating the path to a degree as a mature student

I always feel a bit self-conscious walking in on the first day of class. Not because I’m in the wrong place, but because I don’t outwardly present as an undergraduate student. The dead giveaway is my grey hair — I look more like your mother, or your grandmother, than a member of your cohort.

At 66, I stand out in this youthful, energetic place called the University of Saskatchewan. I’m an odd duck, for sure, but I share your aim of getting a university degree. My path here is circuitous, but I couldn’t be happier surrounded by smart, engaging people who love learning.

I’ve returned to an institution that I hold in high esteem, as I do all centers of learning. It’s not perfect — no institution is — but I believe education, from kindergarten to PhD, is the key to our collective future as a community, a province and a country.

So, how did I end up here, a woman of a certain age with the dream of a political studies degree? Here’s the back story.

In the fall of 1977, when virtually all my high school classmates packed up and headed south to Saskatoon and the U of S (now USask — old habits die hard), I got a job. For financial reasons, university was not in the cards for me, but the editor of the Prince Albert Daily Herald thought this 17-year-old working part-time in the advertising department would make a good news reporter. I jumped at the chance, and I’m lucky to have been part of a generation where a job could turn into a career.

For the next couple of years, I covered and wrote about everything from courts to sports, prison breaks, city council meetings, fires, labour strikes, best-in-show pigs and cows at the local exhibition, politics and Zamboni drivers. Yes, he let me take a couple of spins around the rink.

In short, I was paid to go to the school of life.

Once in Saskatoon, I wrote for various publications, then took time off to raise my boys. In 2001, I found myself on campus as a writer for, and then editor of, On Campus News when it was still a print publication. I was enthralled with this place and told many stories about great people doing fascinating and important work in many disciplines. The confluence of intellect and storytelling was intoxicating, but I always felt like an outsider, having never had the student experience. 

Then I discovered the union I belonged to paid tuition for members to take one class a term, and I signed up. In 2003, I took my first class, and one every term after that, jumping around to my heart’s content — political studies, English, geology, art history, sociology, geography — driven purely by curiosity. 

I resigned from the university in 2015 for a lot of complex reasons, but I continued working as a freelance writer, as well as serving as an elected trustee for Saskatoon Public Schools. Then, in late 2024, I stepped down from the school board —15 years, four of them as board chair, was enough — but I needed a retirement plan.

I’ve always been someone who likes to have a goal. For my 40^th birthday, I got braces, and two years, two months and 13 days later, I had the smile I’d always wanted. For my 50^th, I talked my sister into hiking the Chilkoot Trail with me from Alaska into Yukon. Google it — it’s a trek. So, in January 2025, at age 65, I re-enrolled to put my old credits to good use toward a degree. 

It’s been a joy. I take two classes a term, I take notes by hand (another old habit), and I try not to ask too many questions. I heard once that mature students are not really appreciated because “you ask about stuff that isn’t going to be on the final.” Mature students can also give instructors pause — one prof posted a photo of a former Canadian prime minister and then said, “Does anyone but Colleen know who this is?” Of course I did.

It’s been a while since I was a student, so here are some random things I’ve noticed.

Everything is online! I remember handing in printed copies of essays and having to make a phone call to get a grade. No more. I doubt I will ever plumb the depths of Canvas capabilities, but to my classmates, a big thank you for teaching me how to upload assignments and how to use WhatsApp for group work. Your tech support is appreciated.

The seating has improved in lecture theatres; in classrooms, not so much. I will always love the library — real books! Lower Place Riel is a great place to eat lunch, but if you wear AirPods, you miss a lot of interesting conversations. Sad to see Student Central and the Arts and Science undergrad office still haven’t figured out how to stagger staff lunches so they can serve students between noon and 1 p.m. So much talk about the perils of AI, but what about the kid I saw scrolling his phone during a midterm? Also, who schedules a final exam for 7 p.m. on the Saturday before Christmas? 

The class content is challenging as ever, but with just two on my schedule, I have the luxury of time for assignments and studying. One of my university-educated kids mocks me for my diligence — “Cs get degrees, Mom.” Nope, not how I operate. To those of you taking a full load of classes — bravo! You have my admiration.

I want to make it clear that any feelings of being out of place are mine; you have all been kind and accepting.

At the rate I’m going, I’ll still be at this project long after you’ve graduated and are making your way in the world, but I look forward to joining you one day as a proud graduate of the University of Saskatchewan.