Would-be mature students are often beset by doubts about their ability to  cope with going to college. But there is ample evidence that most who take the plunge are successful. Olive Keogh reports.

This is the time of year when would-be mature students are weighing up the pros and cons of embarking on a third-level course.

The deadline for applications is looming, and inevitably there are niggling doubts. Ask any potential mature student to name their fears and the list will read something like this: will I be able to understand the lectures; will I be able to write an essay; will I make friends; will I be able to find my way around the library; will I be able to develop a successful exam technique? The answer to all of these questions is yes!

It's never easy starting college as an older person, but there is ample evidence that matures make excellent students. The brain may take a bit longer to absorb and process information, but most people find ways of coping, for example, reading lectures notes on to a tape and playing it in the car or on the bus, or joining up with like-minded people to exchange notes and information. A marathon reading list looks a lot less formidable when it's split between a few people who prepare a resumé for others in the group and having "study buddies" means there's someone around to take notes if you miss a lecture.

Most mature students about to embark on a college course identify being able to perform academically as a major concern. This is a worry common to all students. It's just that matures are more open about voicing it. What they tend to forget is that they have a number of advantages over their younger classmates. Most younger students see having a good time as an essential part of the college experience. Most mature students already have a social life and their motivation is primarily academic.

Matures go to college because they want to. This makes them committed students who are quite happy to study right from the beginning of term. This level of motivation should not be underestimated as it means they are unlikely to end up in a cramming panic. Mature students also come with life experience, which makes them better at putting things in perspective. As a result they tend to handle essay deadlines and exam stress better than younger students and to be more organised and more systematic in their approach to course work.

Those returning to study after a long break need to make things as easy as possible for themselves. Family or partner support for the fledgling student is really important as you're simply not going to have the same amount of time to spend on domestic tasks. Maybe going to college is a good time to reorganise the home chores and engage in a little bit of delegation.

A quiet place to work and to leave your books and papers undisturbed is vital.

There's nothing worse than having to clear everything away, especially if you're in the middle of writing an essay and you've lots of reference material. You also need to get into a study routine. Start off with an hour or two and build up. Try to stick to your routine as then you'll feel justified in taking time off.

If you are assigned a mentor/ personal tutor at your chosen college, let him or her help you. It's worth investing time in getting to know your way around the library and if your college offers any skills courses for mature students, sign up. The golden rule is; ask if you don't understand. Most lecturers are quite happy to answer questions and will do so privately if you can't face asking in public.

As for applying to college as a mature student, there is no single way of doing this. You need to decide what course you want to do and where you want to do it. Then you need to consult the admissions office of the college in question as application procedures vary.

There is, however, a super little booklet which is a big help. It's called the Guide for Mature Students 2002 and it's produced by the Department of Education and Science. It lists all third-level institutions and their entry procedures and it also contains a wealth of other useful information.

The guide is available free of charge from the Curriculum Development Unit at (01) 453 5487.

Anyone thinking of embarking on a course this autumn needs to make a decision fast as applications through the Central Admissions Office (which is the system used by some colleges) must be lodged by February 1st.