Adult Education

I did not go to college straight out of high school. I did not spend a summer backpacking in Europe, I was not on a cruise. I just did not go. I meant to, trust me, I did. I just kept stumbling over life in general. You know, things like abusive relationships, raising children and working low-paying jobs that left me exhausted and numbed; life. I wanted to go back to get a degree, but every time I would set the plan in motion, something, or more truthfully, someone would stop me. Once I made that man leave for good, I no longer had any one to blame, no excuse for not doing what I claimed was important to me. I knew that I could not quit my job, I was now a single mother, so I had to find something that would fit into my work schedule.

I started looking into online education and asked for information from several. Of them, the one that I ultimately enrolled in was not only one of the fastest to respond to my request, they were the ones who took the time to really talk and to listen to me, not only about my education, but about the things that were going on in my life at the time. Because of this conversation, I changed my major and enrolled in a program that not only do I love, but am exceling at.

Education for the older student is usually more about accomplishing goals than about satisfying the plans of anyone else. Because the older student is enrolled on their own terms, they will prove themselves more dedicated. There will be a more serious approach to the educational process by the older student, most of them are paying for their education out of their own pocket. Most of them will have jobs, families and other obligations to take care, so they do not have the time to just mess around. Assignments will be met with solid time management skills, and the true desire to give their very best. I know that had I went to college straight out of high school, I would not have had the grade point average that I have now. I would have probably not been as serious about my studies at that young age. It is hard enough to be learning how to be an adult, without learning how to be a serious student as well.