10 August 1994 University - Spelling Out the Choices for Those Over 20

The importance of ensuring that prospective university students over the age of 20 make informed choices when selecting degree and diploma courses has led three Christchurch- based university women to organise a special information day for this group.

The Information Day, entitled "University - What Choices Do You Have?"  -  will be held in Hagley Community College on Wednesday 24 August. Anyone over the age of 20 who is thinking about taking up university study is invited to attend.

Topics to be covered include study options, choice of university, entry requirements and costs.

Those presenting the sessions are Amanda Heath-Munn, Maori Liaison Officer, Te Pou Hereka, of Lincoln University, Carolyn Lidgard, New Start Co-ordinator, Te Ao Maarama, of the University of Canterbury, and Judy Henderson, Regional Extramural Adviser for Massey University.

Each university's representative will present an individual information session giving details of study options at their institution, and at the conclusion they will be available for discussion on an individual basis.

The increasing number of students over the age of 20 has become a feature of the rolls at New Zealand's universities in recent years. For example at Lincoln University students aged 25 and over now make up more than 20 percent of the population.

Today Victoria, Auckland, Canterbury and Otago universities all offer special induction programmes for adult students and Lincoln University has a special Mature Students Support Group.

"With people over the age of 20, deciding to come to university is often a bigger investment in terms of how it affects their whole life than it is for school-leavers," says Ms Heath-Munn of Lincoln.

"They may have to juggle family commitments, pull out of a career temporarily, and spend money that was set aside for other purposes. For reasons such as these it is important that when they make a decision about furthering their education it is based on a sound understanding of all that is involved, hence our Information Day."

The free Information Day starts at 9.30am and further details are available through Amanda Heath-Munn at Lincoln University, Carolyn Lidgard at the University of Canterbury or Judy Henderson, Massey University's Regional Extramural Adviser in Christchurch.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.