Going Back to
College
With the
increasing need for qualifications in the workplace, more
and more people are going back to college, or starting
university courses in their 30s, 40s and beyond. In fact,
in the UK about 20% of new graduates are over the age of
25. And it’s even higher in the US, with around 39% of
students in the older age range. As with most things,
there are advantages and disadvantages to going back to
college and it’s important to consider these before
making a decision.
While 18 year
olds are at university to improve their chances in the
job market, they have many other reasons for being their.
Going back to college, they wish to enjoy the student
experience, often living away from home for the first
time, with access to cheap alcohol and entertainment, new
friends and a whole new environment. All of this is an
important part of growing up and finding their way in the
world, but gives older students a clear advantage, as
they are usually much more focused on education as a
means to a better job and an improved quality of life.
Lecturers therefore welcome mature students, knowing that
they are likely to take their studies more seriously than
school leavers.
However,
going back to college, whilst mature students may not be
tempted to overindulge in the college bar, they might be
facing learning for the first time in many years. So they
could have greater problems adjusting to studying than
their younger colleagues. Fortunately, universities and
colleges now provide additional help to assist students
of all ages and backgrounds to get over initial problems
with learning, by providing workshops on study skills,
one to one help with assignments and specialist tutors
for dyslexia and literacy and numeracy.
If you are
concerned about your ability to keep up, you should check
with the college in advance to see how much support is
available. You will also find that teachers are much more
approachable these days and classes much more student
centred than previously. So don’t be put off if you had
bad experiences at school. Going back to college may
be possible, or even advisable, to take a short course
before embarking on a degree or professional
qualification. This will enable you to ease your way back
into studying and address any problems before you are
faced with deadlines, exams and the other pressures of a
high level course.
As an older
student you might also have to adjust to having less
money, especially if you had a well paid job before.
Alternatively, you may have to continue working in order
to support a family. This can create additional stress
and so you should plan your schedule before starting your
course. This involves getting your support system in
place, to ensure that childcare arrangements are
organized and work schedules arranged to facilitate
studying and attending lectures. Going back to college,
if you feel that full-time work will not be possible, it
is essential that you plan your finances accordingly,
either by saving, taking out a loan and of course,
checking to see if any financial aid is available in the
form of study grants or bursaries.
A popular
alternative for older students is going back to college
via distance learning. In fact, with spiraling student
debt, many younger students are also choosing this
option. It can be an excellent way of balancing existing
responsibilities with gaining new qualifications. Degrees
are often modular, allowing students to adjust their pace
of study if necessary.
If you missed
the opportunity to study when you were younger, going to
college in middle age can be a liberating and exciting
experience.
© Waller
Jamison 2007
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