Formerly defined as "non-traditional" students, the college student who starts or returns to college in their 30's, 40's, 50's or beyond, is a strong presence today in campuses all over the country. Whatever the reason, whether it is the desire to train for a new career or the desire to explore new horizons after the children have left home, the path through college can be smooth and rewarding. Here are a few tips for people considering taking the academic plunge later in life.
College Campuses Reflect Society at Large
Many people considering a return to college are concerned with "standing out" when compared to the younger generation. Those who enroll, attend class and observe their classmates may find one or two others (more in the larger classes) who would have formerly been considered "non traditional" students. Teachers in general studies classes, especially math, tailor their lesson plans to people in all walks of life who may be shaking off the rust in pursuit of new academic challenges.
The reason for returning to college (or starting for the first time) are as varied as the students. Certain themes stand out, especially the desire to rekindle long forgotten passions. The website LifeAfter50.com offers many examples of people who have switched gears and successfully retrained or retooled for new careers. A recent article on the site tells of a woman who became a graphic artist by returning to school after a long career as an executive secretary.
College Can be Affordable
Fears of high tuition and supplies may keep certain people from enrolling. The costs at traditional four year universities are high and headed higher but there are many options. Most large urban areas offer community colleges, which may specialize in two-year, vocationally oriented programs or grooming students for transfer to four year universities to complete major studies. Tuition at these types of colleges can range from $50 to less than $30 per credit unit.
Older students may qualify for grants based on income, such as a pell grant. Also, many organizations offer scholarships specifically tailored for older students, such as the AARP. These organizations may also offer publications full of advice for people transitioning to new careers later in life.
The Brave New World of College in 2010
For students who may be returning to the classroom for the first time since Ronald Reagan was president, there will be some initial shocks. The first is the ubiquitous presence of technology, in everything from the web-enhanced audio visuals in the classroom to the gadgets younger students tweet and text on at every opportunity. Some college courses take place completely in cyberspace.
For all the changes, the basic academic challenges remain, for both teachers and students. As always, teachers endeavor to keep the attention of their students, and practically all of them ban tweeting and texting in the classroom. And students who apply themselves and know how to manage and schedule study time amid other responsibilities and activities, will always succeed.
Balancing College With Work and Family Responsibilities
Older students may have outside pressures foreign to their younger classmates. The pressures of family and a full time job may cause some students to limit their courses per semester to one or two. Sometimes, living arrangements may result in some unorthodox study scenarios.
Dr. Monica Gutierrez, professor of Biology at Riverside Community College in Norco, CA offers personal glimpses and anecdotes during her lectures. She told the story of one older student. He lived in a house with four other people, found that he could study best between the hours of midnight and six a.m. That student went on to excel in the sciences and became a doctor. She should know: he's her husband!
Colleges and universities across the country also show examples of moms who return to the academic world, then bond with their children through studying together.
Putting It All Together: College is a Great Place to Examine Your Life
Socrates once quoted that "an unexamined life is not worth living." College in mid-life or later is a completely different experience from the traditional path of attending after high school graduation. Students who return to college after years or even decades in the work force, or having raised a family, see the college experience from a vastly different perspective. Many college professors report that they learn just as much from students as the students learn from them. They appreciate the real world experience and self-knowledge that older students bring to the classroom.
Glancing through a college catalog, making that first leap of taking tests, enrolling, can all seem like huge hurdles for someone returning to college at mid-life. Financial aid, helpful counselors and knowing that many others are following the same path make the process easier.
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