Create a list of the advantages of being an older student
Part of this lesson is about older learners. In fact one of the quiz questions is "One of the common fears about college for adult learners is:"
And the answer is: "Feeling at a disadvantage compared to others"
I went back to school (Community College and then University) in my mid forties. I did not feel I had a disadvantage. Quite the opposite, I felt my focus, life experience, vocabulary, and lack of distractions were to my benefit.
Most of my students are older than the average 28 years for career college students. I hear every day the "I'm too old to learn", "My memory is gone", and "I don't have study skills" stories.
How about compiling a list of the advantages of being an older student. Things we can all use to encourage and provide assurance to our older students.
I'll start with the ones I mentioned above...
Focus
Life experience
Vocabulary
Lack of distractions (maybe)
Regards,
Terry
Hi Terry,
Good comments about the advantages of having older students. I really appreciate the list you started. My adult students are very focused and have expressed reasons for being back in school once I get them to the point they realize that they are bringing extensive life experiences to the classroom. These experiences will help them to be successful and that they don't have to worry about being "too old" to learn.
Gary
Very good post Terry. My wife went back to school in her late 30's. She had a lot of confidence, focus, life experiences, etc. She graduated at the top of her class. She received the best offer ever presented by Hallmark cards because of her achievements.
She also started at a local community college and the received her degree from a very good liberal arts college here in Kansas City.
I can comment on this from 2 perspectives- as a student myself and now as a teacher. I earned a college degree right our of high school. I was a good student in both high school and college, but perhaps didn't have good career motivation as a 20-ish student.
Later, as a 40-ish adult, I decided to take some college classes in another field of interest. I was spending my time and money on it, so I was motivated to learn something practical. I later declared a major (to set a goal) and eventually earned another degree in my late 40's.
I saw similar traits in a class that I just taught. A couple younger students seemed to be just going through the motions and not fully engaged. On the other hand, a couple middle-age students seemed to really have the desire to learn the material and they worked hard at it.
Hi Mark,
Your life experiences are valuable to you and your students. You can relate to the younger ones, you having been there early in your student career, and then later when you found your stride and was able to acquire the education you wanted and needed to move your career forward.
Gary
I remember starting college at the age of 28. Never having to take a PSAT,SAT or ACT exam, I wasn't even sure, at the time, if I was intelligent enough to be in college. Then to face those fresh out of high school students who had calculus and advanced writing, I felt out of my element. I also realized I had a stacked deck against me. I had a family to care for, a large home, animals, a full time job and trying to go to school. Those traditional students only had a dorm room and a part time work study job. The great point to all this is that adult students have the maturity level to focus on that career goal, because they have seen the alternative.
Hi Coleen,
Great perspective on student differences. I teach in the evenings non-traditional students coming back to develop skills in a new career or add additional skill sets within their current career. Either way they are there from 4 until 10 pm for a reason. To me that is dedication and focus. They are a delight to teach but in the process I have to work with them to overcome ill children, broken down cars, etc.. Yet, they don't waiver or quit.
Gary
I have found that my "older" students often are the leaders in class. They have so much to offer. I like to draw on their experiences in class, and they are typically very willing to do so.
Hi Christopher,
This has been my experience as well so I use them as a bonus benefit since they have so much to offer.
Gary
