Managing time as an adult learner There might not be a better decision than going back to school as an adult. This is particularly because one has the opportunity of enhancing their career and accomplishing their lifelong goals. The choice of going back to school as an adult is thus an easy decision. Despite the fact that reaching this decision is easy, following through the decision is the most difficult part. Difficult. This is because of the challenges that adult learners face in their day to day lives as students. The challenges they face range from work to schooling to ensuring that the have adequate time available in their day for their family and friends. Finding the time to ensure that adult learner's educational dreams are realized can be quite an enormous challenge. The adult learners feel that they can not support their family while working and attending classes every day. This is a challenge as they find it difficult to keep up with school as to get good grades to ensure that they progress (William, 2003). Time management is therefore the greatest challenge for these adult learners. They often do not have enough time to attend to each and every area they are needed in. They neglect their responsibilities not because they do not want to do them but because they are not in a position due to time constrains. Friends often do not understand why they are not able to do the same things with them before joining school. Their struggle life might also be strained as a
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,
The second article, “Adult Learning Theory: Applications to Non-Traditional College Students” by Kenner and Weinerman, I think I relate to more because I did not go into college right away after finishing high school. Getting a college degree was not as important to me as going out in the work force and making money, or traveling and having the opportunity to be adventurous. I have a different learning style because of that, and in a way it can both help and hurt my learning. “Knowles identifies four principles that characterize adult learners” (Kenner, Weinerman, 2011). The fourth is that we are motivated, which I definitely am. We go back to school to achieve a personal goal that we have set for ourselves (Kenner, Weinerman, 2011). That is why I have decided to go back to school.
In my interview I had the pleasure of conversing with an individual that was not only an adult learner but now also operates as an adjunct professor for adult learners at a university. Some might not realize the parallels of adult learners and yet still there are vast differences that impact both. It was refreshing to find an individual that was able to succeed as a professional, a student and most recently a professor at the same time. My goal is to introduce you my amazing interviewee and paint a vivid picture of his journey, his growth and through his challenges along the way. Surprisingly this interaction was able to take a lot of excuses and reasons of why a person would be to busy to go back to school.
This paper is about adult learning theories. The learning theory andragogy was discussed in detail. Also, the author talked about how people structure their own learning theories. What typical views and reports for adult learning were conversed there were also views and discussions from the view of adult learner. Article stated the pressure and concerns of students who go back to school as an adult years later in comparison to going straight out of high school.
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.
From family commitments to pressing work deadlines. From social engagements to paying bills. For many of us, free time is one of our most prized possessions, and we value all our time highly.
The time involved in acquiring a degree plays heavily on how long an adult stays engaged. Multiple demands on an adult learner make it difficult to juggle everything and stay motivated. Jovita Ross-Gordon states that “courses, certificates & degrees should be designed to be completed in a time frame [which are] more responsive to adult learners lives “(Ross-Gordon). Utilizing courses designed to be completed in less time would be a motivating factor for adults to seek out degrees and finish
Many of these young adults told researchers they would consider going back to school, but full-time work and family responsibilities, again, keep many of them away. A third of students surveyed said even if their tuition and books were fully covered, they could not go back to school because they could not afford to support themselves. At that point it is leaving them unemployed and looking for a
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)
One of the reasns adults are returning to school is the accessibility.. For reasons, unknown, they were obligated to stop their education before completing, with a bunch of credits and no degree. Maybe it was that they had lacked maturity and had academic issues. With the availability of night and online classes, it offers older individuals the opurtunity that before didn’t exist to continue their education. these online institutions have flexible schedules that allow learners to easily pursue their education while at the same time carry out other activities like working full-time. . in an adults life , they’re often juggling parenting, spouses and full-time employment with little time to spare.
Deciding to attend school as an adult learner, is by far the most challenging obstacle an adult learner can do. Adults looking to advice in their education or their career look to attend school to achieve their goals. It is a demanding, daunting task to figuring out just what you want to study, where you want to study at, and how to attend classes. With so many options available today, where do you begin? Knowing the options can truly make choosing a school, program, or way to attend classes an enjoyable decision.
My audience will also be geared towards anyone considering going back to school past age 25. Even capturing those that left school for any reason and encouraging them to return. Not only is it a very difficult decision but also you need to learn how to reorganize, rearrange, and readjust your home, work, family, and life in general. It helps if you have someone who has already done this to talk to, learn from his or her accomplishments, failures, and experiences. It will help you figure out what might work for you, what might need adjusting to fit your needs, or deciding if it will work for you at all.
By estimate, more than 47% of enrollees in U.S. higher education institutions can be classified as adult learners (Creighton & Hudson, 2002). Adults pursue higher education for various reasons including personal enrichment, change of career, or a requirement for promotion. The majority of adult students enroll in community colleges to fulfill educational and training needs. Adult students may face barriers when attempting to enroll in college. Program planners must understand characteristics of adult students, recognize social issues, and identify with cultural issues to effectively develop training and degree programs that not only attract students, but also encourage student retention. Community colleges have the ability to reduce or eliminate student barriers and subsequently prepare adults for the workforce.
The reasoning for postponement is different for each individual pupil (Tews, 2013). Adult students often attend school only part-time, as compared to the traditional full-time position (Tews, 2013). Traditional students often work to flourish in the subjects regardless of their destination (Tews, 2013). Adult learners are outcome oriented, when adults do not visualize the desired result they leave school (Tews, 2013). Many traditional students have family that expects them to stay in school (Tews, 2013). As compared to the adult learner, traditional learners may not always have clear objectives in mind (Tews, 2013). Adult learners are more disposed to accepting accountability for their own learning (Tews, 2013). Critical thinking is a tool for decision-making and solving problems, which is an important characteristic of a prosperous learner at a distance or traditional (Tomei, 2010).