Issues Concerning Adult Students Today

The vast majority of employees seeking upward mobility within the workplace often pursue education as the most effective means of achieving these goals. (Kim and Baker, 2015). The adult student does not receive the same benefits as a traditional student on campus. The adult students apply for financial aid and qualify for student loans. The traditional students qualify for scholarships and grants. The adult student gave that the majority of adult learners are likely employed, their opportunity costs compared to those of a traditional student have substantially different aspects. (Kim and Baker, 2015). Adult learners’ educational pursuits are largely job-related, while conversely, traditional students’ jobs are not related to their field of study. (Kim and Baker,

In an effort to determine how adults learn, experts examine and evaluate studies that have been done that involve the adult learner. The more that experts understand how the learner processes information, the better the understanding will be on how to structure their learning environment. Research is continually changing in this area, and educators know there are differences in how each adult learner attains information. In the two articles, “Adult Learning Theory for the Twenty-First Century” by Sharan B. Merriam, and “Adult Learning Theory: Applications to Non-Traditional College Students” by Kenner and Weinerman, different theories are discussed.

According to Lundberg (2003), “adult students are one of the most rapidly growing segments of today’s college student population, making up approximately 40% of all college students” (665).

Traditionally adult learners are students who are pursuing education in either, college (undergraduate or graduate degrees), vocational or occupational programs, continuing education or noncredit courses, correspondence courses and tutoring, as well as courses and other educational activities provided by employers, community groups, and other providers ("Adult Learner," 2012). The average age of an adult learner is 25 years or older, it usually is a diverse group of people ("Adult Learner," 2012). These adult learners can be an independent student, employed full time, a person with dependents,

Knowles posits that adult learners are self directed and autonomous. They are goal oriented, practical and must see and understand the relevance of any training. Adults bring an abundance of experience and knowledge, experiential learning, with them. Most importantly, “…adults need to be shown respect.” (Lieb)

In recent years, many adults have found themselves underemployed, jobless or without the necessary tools to compete in today's job market. Therefore, deciding to return to school (or start) has become almost a necessity. Enrolling in school as an adult can be stressful. Other factors such as having a family to take care of and a house to manage, further complicate the decision. As some of today's adult students are finding out, it is doable if that person has the right mindset, strategy and support.

In his article “Success for Adult Students,” Stephen Pelletier paints the picture of how many institutional structure fails to accommodate the adult student’s (which makes up 59% of the non-traditional student population) schedule. Because many adult students work full-time, the traditional schedule of Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday classes simply cannot adjust to this type of student

I selected the article, Supporting Adult-Student Persistence in Community Colleges written by Rosemary Capps. In this article Capps investigates adult-student persistence at a community college from the perspective of the student. The article analyzes institutional factors that influence adult-student persistence and discusses the impact. Non-traditional adult-students have different motivations and goals, as well as barriers that most traditional students do not encounter. Non-traditional adult-students, require more planning and lifestyle modifications than traditional students. Adult-students may have families or spouses, full-time jobs, and debts they are responsible for.

The term “non-traditional” has been coined to describe and categorize students from non-traditional backgrounds. Non-traditional student diversity may include “age, color, ethnicity, gender, national origin, physical, mental and emotional ability, race, religion, language, sexual orientation and socio-economic status” (Taylor and House 46). From the age perspective, non-traditional students exceed the normal age range of college students. The normal age range for students attending higher education institutions is 18-24 years of age. “The rise of non-traditional-age students – that is, students who are either coming to college or retuning to it” has been increasing for the past several decades (Lang 188).

Over the last decade there has been a steady rise in college and university enrollments. The vast majority of the enrollees are from the 25 to 40 age bracket, and this trend is only expected to continue into the foreseeable future. The trend has been recognized and embraced by colleges and universities all of the country, and as a result the traditional educational methodologies have been adapted to accommodate the adult learners of today.

College has traditionally been a path that one follows right out of high school. Over the past few decades, there has been a spike in enrollment of older adult women returning to college. The article “Starting from Ground Zero:” Constraints and Experiences of Adult Women Returning to College discusses this trend and studies the experiences of women returning to college as adult students. Researchers found that these returning female students face unique challenges and require supports from society, families and academia. Each student walks their own path and overcomes the roadblocks that they face to achieve success.

The traditional adult attending a college or university is attempting to get their foot in the door of life. While the non-traditional adult, someone who is already in the workforce, is attending college for a different reason: either to change a career, improve a job skills, or for the joy of learning. The wise employers are sending employees back to school in order to make the business successful. Universities and colleges are adapting their programs to the needs of these non-traditional adults. As the non-traditional adults flood the colleges and universities, corporations and educational institutes are collaborating to establish the most optimum way to support the needs of the students while providing the best trained and educated workers in the industry.

In recent years, United States universities have experienced a large influx of enrollees over the age of 25, a group referred to as non-traditional students. After America’s relatively recent economic troubles, nearly all citizens feel as though higher learning is an important tool for financial success. Many non-traditional students include first-time students, and more than half of the student body over the age of 25 consists of stay at home mom attending online classes.

Today's workers need to prepare with continuous job training, growth and development. Given the increased age, experiences and diverse lifestyles of the working population, it is understandable that adult education practices must move beyond the traditional model of teachers and learners, while new skills, working with local companies to match their needs and sending staff into factories and other workplaces to spread the word about state and federal retraining assistance. While trying to decide how to rebuild your life after loss of employment and lack of job opportunities following the current recession, or devastated from a divorce? Adult students faced with other struggles; studies have shown that older adult students face different hurdles, family problems, and poor self-image. These along with poor time management, weaker academic preparation and a need for remediation an increased focus on adult learners and their needs can help. (armour)

About one quarter of the UK 's full-time, higher education entrants now includes mature students and, in spite of tuition fee rises, many institutions of higher education are observing higher than ever applications from this age group. Although career change/ expansion is one of the most common motives mentioned by mature students for entering higher education later in life, there is a vast assortment of other influences in play. However, given the vast age-range the term ‘mature’ spans, it’s no surprise that studying as an older student will be far greater an cataclysm for some than for others, and it’s not a choice that should be entered into lightly. Mature students often face exceptional challenges, including juggling academic study with paid work, family and financial responsibilities which can increase the burden to an