Bianca Semczuk

Mature and Part-Time Officer

What course are you studying?

I am studying Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience, second year 

What inspired you to become a PTO?

I really wanted to be a PTO because I admire the determination of mature and part-time students to complete their higher education. This is not easy, and it comes with some costs. I hear their problems and difficulties they are facing at university and I want to change that. 

What’s the most important thing you’d like to change this year?

One major issue that both mature and part-time students are facing is that they do not feel included, but isolated from the mainstream university activities since their interests and responsibilities vary from regular students – most of the time they have to balance study and family life, childcare or carer demands and the need to work. I want to change that and create events relevant for them and at suitable hours and make sure their department is hearing their needs as well (e.g. changing the time of a practical/tutorial). On top of that, I would like to lead to more academic support for the mature students who re-enter education, sometimes after a gap of a few years or even decades. 

 

My email is bes12@leicester.ac.uk