Common Fears and Concerns of Adults Returning to School

I’m Too Old To Learn New Tricks – Studies show that older student tend to earn better grades and receive better evaluations from their instructors. Older students enter college with more life experience hence more information to draw upon and tend to take their studies more seriously than younger students.

I’m Not Sure What To Study – take a course or two just to see how you like college or how you like certain subject areas. Most colleges have career and testing services that are able to you.

My Spouse Or Family Will Think I’m Silly – Going back to college is a big step for the student as well as spouse, kids or significant others who have to adjust to a new routing. In best cases, spouses and significant others will be supportive of your college plans. In some cases, others may be threatened by plans to return to college.

My Skills Aren’t College Level – More than one-third of all of today’s college freshmen need to take remedial coursework in English or math. Give the college a chance to make a realistic assessment of your current skills and to help you bring your skills up to speed.

I Can’t Afford College – You will discover that each college varies in how much money they are willing to give to students in form of grants and scholarships.

College Cost Is an Elusive Creature – Financial assistance will depend on everything from your gross income and your academic grade average to the number of dependents you list on your tax forms.

Why Return to College as an Older Student

Greater Career Choice – The Department of Labor estimates at least 75% of all jobs require some kind of post-secondary education or specialized training. The important thing to remember is that holding a degree - any kind of degree - will give you greater career flexibility and keep doors open should you decide to change jobs, or even careers, as your grow older.

Career Advancement – Many people are finding that companies have ceilings on career advancement for those who do not hold a college degree. One of the most common reason adults return to school is because they feel that they will not be promoted or placed in advance training programs. Unless they hold a degree.

Personal Satisfaction – Some people attend college simply because they love to learn or because they wanted to attend college when they younger, but were held back by things such as shortage of funds, lack of understanding about how college works, marrying young and having children.

Heightened Earnings – The Census Bureau has consistently found that the more education you have on average, the higher you annual wages will be. Much depends on the kind of degree you earn and the kind of job you take after earning that degree. College graduates with four-year bachelor degrees can expect on average, to earn about $15,000 more per year than those who hold only a high school diploma.

Back to College: Real Life Strategies for Success

Feel Free to Ask Stupid Questions – There are no stupid questions. Campus shock is what happens to normal adults when they are taken out of their comfortable every day roles, as parents, bosses, truck drivers, and nurses and placed into a structure academic environment.

Study The Syllabus – the first session of every class should include an introduction to the material that will covered, as well as in introduction to how your class will be administered. You should receive a syllabus or course outline with information reading assignments, homework assignments and information how you will get graded in the class, when papers are due, and how exams will occurs. Keep the syllabus close at hand.

Understanding The Grading Criteria – The syllabus will let you know what criteria will be used to judge your progress toward your final grade. It is helpful to note that not all professors use the same criteria in grading a student’s performance. If you feel that you learn better through certain methods such as written papers, rather than others, such as exams, you should compare different professors on the criteria they are using in different sections of the same class. It makes sense that you seek out classes where the grading criteria are based on the type of learning presentation you enjoy the most.

Come Prepared – Make sure that you prepare for your classes every day. Check the syllabus and complete all assigned reading before class start. The best students in every class are those that are prepared and come to class ready to ask questions and participate.

Participate In Class - It is recommended that you try to comment at least once every class session. Because asking questions or making comments on someone else’s question is another way of reinforcing what you have already learned by reading on your own. If you feel too shy to talk, make a point of asking your professor or classmates about things before or after class.

Master the Art Of Note-Taking – Note-taking will help reinforce what you read and what the professor is saying. Lessons on note-taking are generally offered for incoming students.

Ask For Assistance – At any point in a class you feel that you’re falling behind or that you need special assistance, take immediate action.

Failing Or Taking An Incomplete – If you find yourself failing a course or feel that you are in over you head, talk to your instructor. In most cases, if you are too far behind to catch up, you can withdraw from a class with no penalty on your academic record. In some cases, if you have completed most of the work for your class, but cannot complete a final paper or exam on time, you should be eligible to file for a temporary “Incomplete”.

Learn To Use the Library – The sooner you learn how to use the library, the sooner you will get excel in your college students. You can call your librarian and ask her or him when the next orientation sessions begin.

Test-Taking – almost everyone is afraid of tests, even students that do well. Take a test-taking workshop that is usually offered on most campuses.

Understand Your Degree Requirements – It is never too early to make an appointment with an academic advisor and review your standing in relation to the requirements for any degree that you have chosen or may choose down the road. The catalog will contain a listing of all other courses that are required to earn any particular type of degree.

RESOURCES

Websites:

Student virtual pamphlet collection: http://counseling.uchicago.edu/vpc/

RealWorld University : http://www.rwuniversity.com/

Gathering Place for Adult Students: http://www.adultstudentcenter.com/

Adult/Continuing Education: http://adulted.about.com/education/adulted/

Going Back to school: http://www.back2college.com/library/gettingstarted.htm

Books:

Never Too Late To Learn by Vicky Phillips

Becoming a Master Student by David Ellis

More Learning in Less Time: A Guide for Students Professionals, Career Changers and Lifelong Learners by Norma Kahn

How to Study in College by Walter Pauk

The Confident Student by Carol Kanar

Return to Counseling Center Home