At 50 years old, language teacher Camilla Jarvis made the bold decision to pursue a history degree at The University of Essex, and went on to achieve a First.
Camilla found her time in higher education incredibly fulfilling, describing the experience as “enlightening, emboldening, breathtaking, and truly fantastic.”
However, her journey wasn’t without its challenges. At times, Camilla struggled to keep up with the heavy workload and high expectations, particularly as she was returning to education after many years. Yet, it was overcoming these hurdles that ultimately made the experience so rewarding, and allowed for personal and academic growth.
We spoke to Camilla (now 64) about her experience as a mature student and asked what advice she’d give anyone considering a later life return to education.
“It was something I always wished I’d done but never had the chance”
Camilla on Graduation Day
After raising her family, Camilla spent 25 years teaching languages to children and adults. However, when government funding cuts meant her classes would no longer be supported, she was forced to rethink her future.
She says, “It was almost a throwaway comment to the careers adviser at Essex County Council, but I said, ‘I’d just love to do a degree.’ It was something I always wished I’d done but never had the chance. My father was very old school and thought that, as a girl, it would be a waste of money.”
Camilla’s first step to pursuing her dream was enrolling in an Access to Higher Education course at a local college. She studied computing, sociology, and psychology – and retook GCSE maths.
She remembers, “I had no confidence that I’d pass because I’d failed maths miserably at school. But I ended up scoring 97.5%, so I was very pleased. All in all, I achieved enough points to earn my place on the University of Essex’s Social and Cultural History course.”
While Camilla had always been interested in history, her choice to complete a degree in the subject held an even deeper meaning.
“My mother studied history, which was quite rare in her day,” she explains. “But when the war broke out in 1939, she wanted to marry her fiancé (a submariner). This meant she was kicked out of university and never finished her course, which she always regretted. I thought it’d be just wonderful to get onto a history course and finish it for my mum.”
Thinking back to her graduation, Camilla says, “I cried when they put the gown on my shoulders because it was something I’d wanted to do all my life – I finished the story for her.”
“I was guided by amazing tutors”
Camilla began her university course in 2011, launching her on a rollercoaster of rewards and challenges. With no background in history, Camilla found the historical terminology difficult and worried about adjusting to new ways of learning.
She explains, “I hadn’t been in education for many years, so I was worried about the world having changed. At first, I went into lectures with a pen and paper because that’s how I studied at school. But, of course, everyone was using laptops. My English language skills were also rusty and I thought: I’m so out of date.
“The first term was a baptism of fire and I very nearly failed; I found the study level so much trickier than anything I’d done before.”
However, by embracing the support offered by the university and throwing herself into her studies, Camilla soon began to thrive. She says, “I wouldn’t say I was a whiz kid. I was guided by amazing tutors. The university team was very supportive and through study skills sessions and supervision meetings, they helped me level up my skills.”
Camilla’s academic skills improved so much that, after her first year, she won a prize for achieving the highest mark in the History Department – a testament to her hard work and dedication. “When they called my name out, I nearly fell through the floor! It was a terrific validation for me and most unexpected. My father was also very proud of me, which was lovely.”
“It was the most amazing and inclusive experience I could ever have imagined”
Camilla with her husband, Brendan
Despite being the oldest on her course, Camilla formed strong bonds with the younger students, becoming the unofficial “course mum”. In fact, she’s still in contact with many of her former classmates.
She says, “I so enjoyed my time at university, making great friends with the youngsters on the course. It was the most amazing and inclusive experience I could ever have imagined.”
With her wealth of life experience, Camilla was also able to offer guidance and perspective to her younger peers. “I really bonded with them. I gained a lot from watching them develop and did my best to support them in reaching their full potential wherever I could.”
One of Camilla’s favourite memories is from the final year Summer Ball. “Patrick, a young lad who’d started as a nervous 18-year-old and had grown into an enormous, strapping rugby player, picked me up, swung me around, and said to my son: ‘She’s been everyone’s mum on this course. You’re a very lucky man.’ That was a lovely accolade for me and validation of everything I’d accomplished.”
“Once you open your mind to learning, you just can’t shut it down”
Camilla and Billy
After graduating, Camilla went on to found an adult education centre in her village where she taught history and language classes. This was an exciting time as she was able to put her degree to use, meet new people, and give back to the community.
Today, she’s busy tutoring online, caring for her grandchildren, and riding her horse, Billy. Plus, as an advocate for lifelong learning, she’s currently studying Christian theology and working towards becoming a lay preacher. “Once you open your mind to learning, you just can’t shut it down,” she laughs.
Camilla also enjoys attending daily talks, workshops, and classes on Rest Less Events. She says, “I find the Rest Less lectures and activities fill a terrific gap for me – they keep me engaged and loving life! They’re so positive and the socialisation you get is really wonderful.”
“It's never too late to learn”
Looking back on her time at university, Camilla explains that she walked away with more than just a degree: “It was terrifically maturing for me. I now have a different way of thinking. I never used to stand up for my opinions; I’d just get upset if someone criticised me. But, because of all the debates and discussions, I can now keep calm and stand up for myself. That’s a massive thing for me in life because it means I can hold my own in relationships.”
While Camilla initially came up against some hurdles in her education journey, she maintains that stepping outside her comfort zone made her achievement all the more rewarding. “It’s good to stretch yourself,” she says. “Once you do, ordinary things don’t seem too much of a problem anymore.”
And, finally, to anyone considering going to university as a mature student, Camilla says…
“A degree requires lots of dedication, but it’s a more satisfying achievement than I could’ve ever imagined. While it’s challenging, the lecturers are wonderful and want to see you succeed. So, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Earning my degree gave me a great sense of validation, which is something that many of us seek in later life. It’s never too late to learn. That’s for sure.”
If you’ve been inspired by Camilla’s story and would like to find out more about becoming a mature student, head over to the learning section of our website. Here, you’ll find articles like 9 tips to help you get back into learning after a long break and our guide to becoming a university student in your 50s, 60s, and beyond.
Are you considering returning to education in later life? Or have you already taken the leap? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!