It’s never too late to find yourself.
About me
I am Travis and I am a mature student. I am 24 years of age and I began my learning experience last year in 2020 with an Access to Higher Education course. I left school in 2014 and went straight to work. I didn't go to college, in fact I hated the idea and thought I couldn't do it even if I wanted to. After 6 years of working dead-end jobs I decided I wanted a career so I set my sights for university. But with no qualifications I had to go to college where I spent a year in an Access to HE course around other mature students. I was so worried that I was too old and that it had been too long since I had written an essay. Then I saw other mature students in the same boat as me, we helped each other so much. We all had jobs to pay our rent and some had children to feed but we all managed to get what we wanted and I was so happy that I achieved what I thought impossible years ago, I made it to university!
Why me?
This journey I am on has inspired in me a want to let everyone know "It's never too late to find yourself". My experiences could bring so much to the SU Parliament and have given me the tools and knowledge to properly represent my mature student friends (that's you by the way!). But why should you vote for a first year? Like other first years I am experiencing my problems for the first time so I know what you may be going through and we can work it together! Outside of the university I work for a local councillor where I have planned and ran fairs and a youth club so I know my way around making connections and using every opportunity available. I am a firm believer in cooperation and teamwork, I fully intend to work with other representatives to maximise my effectiveness. As a gay man I am more than happy to help represent the mature LGBTQ+ students and as an autistic individual I know the hardships we have had to face these recent years (especially those dreaded zoom lessons!). At the end of the day though, I am here to represent every mature student at the University of Essex no matter your background or experiences. I truly believe myself to be a good candidate for one of your Mature student representatives and I hope I have earned your vote!