As a mature student, I want to extend a warm and sympathetic welcome to other mature students who are just beginning — or may be in the midst of finishing — their exciting journey. You've embarked on a wonderful adventure!

Last September I was full of anticipation and nerves about returning to school for the first time in decades. I wondered if my classes were going to be tough, if I would be able to handle the tests and the homework, if I needed new clothes.

Well, you will be reassured to know that, most importantly, the old brain was still capable of absorbing a ton of new facts and kicking serious butt. I don't claim to be more intelligent than my younger classmates, but years of work experience did give me an edge, I felt, in key areas such as ambition, drive, organization and efficiency.

As a mature student, your greater life experience will affect your education for the better. You know much more about what you want from life and your career; you will be enchanted by your classes, your teachers and your new knowledge; you will work harder and care more; you won't have time to waste on drinking.

As a mature student, you will have different concerns than younger classmates. Maybe you do feel challenged by the curriculum and need help, your finances and whatever else is going on in your life. A lot of us have families with kids to juggle, and some of us may have jobs.

Fanshawe College is wonderful in that there are so many resources to help all students be successful. You will learn of these resources in class, by reading the posters on the walls and by searching the website and asking around.

I want to mention one more resource that I'm a part of and that's the Fanshawe Adult Social Club. It was founded three years ago as a way for mature students to get together and talk about something different than video games.

In the past year we've had social events, conducted a food drive for the Sharing Shop and brought in speakers from all over Fanshawe to talk about student awards that are available, how to get a Mentor in your field of study and all the services and opportunities that are out there.

I want to invite all mature students (mature in mind or body!) to attend our club meetings. The first one will be an introductory get-together at the Out Back Shack. Send me an email and I'll put you on our email list. Don't be a lonely soul, let's at least exercise our age-of-majority right to have a drink together!

Looking forward to hearing from you at s_mah2@fanshaweonline.ca. You can friend us on Facebook at tinyurl.com/fanascfb2012.