Starting college as mature student

I’m currently attending Forth Valley college on an apprenticeship to complete my SVQ level 3, whilst working in my role as Senior Care coordinator.

When I completed the application, I felt very apprehensive to start being older and having to attend the college, With the younger generation.

We were allocated a workshop meeting however, due to other training that happened on that day I didn’t get to attend and meet the other students in the course which made me feel that I had missed out on the bonding session.

I arranged to meet the lecturer, this was very apprehensive to start with as I had to wait in the lobby and felt singled out but all theses students that were there. When I met with my lecturer, she was very welcoming and made me feel at ease and made it a very chilled environment – she wasn’t a big scary person trying to make my life difficult lol.

We had a chat around where I was education wise, and we discussed what was expected of me from this course. She advised that due to previous courses in which I attended that I wouldn’t have to do the complete SVQ as I have gained this already – Worked out better than I thought.

We went through the units and picked what was more suited to my job role and planned my first piece of work. She then sent me a list of questions in which I had to reflect on and write a piece of work detailing how I have dealt with in previous situations.

Once you submit, she looks over your submitted work and may ask for you to expand or add more details in. On my next meeting we will go over how to add in the units and codes for submitting to the SCA.

Overall, I feel more comfortable and less stressed as what they expect from you in pieces of work is what you do in your working day and would encourage anyone starting in health and social care to achieve this qualification. I am grateful to Nightingale for helping me to complete my studies.