Social Sciences Personal Statement Example (Mature Student)

I am a mature student currently undertaking a SWAP Access to Humanities course at FE college. I enrolled on this particular course with the view that it will help me achieve the skills as well as the qualifications I need to begin my University career this year.

Up until March 2007 I was employed as Manager of the children's department of a high street bookstore. I had been employed there for nearly 13 years and had worked my way up to the position of Manager 5 years ago. With my job came a huge amount of responsibility and trust. Being in charge of teams of up to 12 people has given me great confidence in my abilities to communicate. I have been sent on many courses by my employers over the years, which have given me invaluable experience in time management, team building and customer care. Being employed in the demanding retail environment for so many years has taught me how to be disciplined about work and time, skills I feel will be invaluable throughout my studies at University.

Unfortunately, I was made redundant when the company went into administration last year. As devastated as I was to lose the job I loved, I decided to act positively about my situation and return to full time education, rather than seek alternative employment. This was not a decision I took lightly as I am a single mum to a 12 year old girl, but one I had been thinking about for quite a number of years.

I can say after 5 months on my course that it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am thoroughly enjoying my studies, and achieving top marks in all of my subjects which include Maths, Communications, Politics, Psychology and Sociology. The latter subject being one I have discovered a particular interest in. These past few months in further education have really steeled my determination to go on and study Social Sciences at degree level, and I feel now I am more than ready to undertake the task.

Being a mature student and working mum, I feel I have the qualities required to study at degree level. I am an extremely organised person, I can work to deadlines and I consider myself to be a good communicator, having employed and worked with literally hundreds of staff over the years. I have very good time management skills and the SWAP course has been invaluable in helping me realise my potential as a student. It has improved my confidence in my abilities, and I am now keen to push myself even further into studying at University level.

I have always been a keen reader, fuelled by the nature of my job primarily, and this is my main interest outside of family life and study. I also love to travel, in the last few years I have been lucky enough to visit Latvia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Germany, France and Greece. My daughter has been my companion on more recent trips, something we have both enjoyed immensely.

I feel it is important for children to experience other cultures and people at a young age. I was lucky enough to spend large amounts of my childhood in Canada as my mother's family are from Toronto. It has always been an ambition of mine to eventually move there with my family. Other interests of mine are camping, foreign cinema and driving.

Returning to education has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, and for my family. Going on to University and obtaining a degree is a challenge I am excited about, as well as prepared for. I feel I am setting an example to my daughter, but more importantly allowing myself to reach the potential that I know I have.