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How Adults Learn Differently Than Younger Students

As an adult student shopping for a college or program you should take the time to talk to your school counselor about some of the differences between how adults learn as compared to younger students. You can then evaluate how well the school or college is suited to teaching adults students.

Adults are goal-oriented. Upon enrolling in a course, they usually know what goal they want to attain. Technical colleges often provide a more focused goal oriented approach to specific careers for adults who know what they want out of their education. At the same time, adult students who are looking to earn a MBA or other graduate degree may find that an online college or university gives them the most flexibility and best opportunity to achieve their education goal. Evaluate how quickly you want to achieve your goals as you survey colleges. Some schools have shorter programs than others and that may offer some advantages to achieving your career goal in a shorter time.

Adults have accumulated a foundation of life experiences and knowledge that may include work-related activities, family responsibilities, and previous education. Ask yourself, does this place of higher learning acknowledge these facts and do their instruction methods reflect this?

Choose a Career Field that You Will Enjoy and that Fits in with your Lifestyle

When you sign up for college you are taking a big step in directing your future. Choosing a college program that offers you a career choice that results in your happiness is extremely important. When reviewing career paths you should consider what you enjoy doing and whether you can earn a living that provides enough income to match your lifestyle goals.

Before committing to a college program in a career field you should research:
  • What is the nature of the work?
  • What are the working conditions?
  • What is the job outlook for this field?
  • What type of salary or earnings does this type of job produce?
  • What type of training or education will I need?
  • Will I have to relocate?
  • Is this a job that I want to do for eight hours a day?
A great resource to learn about this kind of occupational information is the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook is a nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. Revised every two years, the Handbook describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations.

Get in the Game!

"I don't have time to go back to school". A phrase that's been uttered since cavemen were painting on walls. My reply to this is why not? Going back to get your education is more about decided what to do with your "free time" more than about giving up time with your kids or spouse. In today's online world, however, flexibility abounds in the world of adult continuing education.

So is online college for you as an adult student? Let's see . . . I don't have to drive anywhere in the weather, I can pretty much set my own schedule, and I can attend class in my underwear. It all sounds pretty good, eh?

Talk to me baby — The real difference in the online degree versus traditional classroom instruction is the high degree of conversation and sharing that takes place between the students. Remember the real smart guy in your classroom who never said anything but always received A's on his assignements and tests. This same guy will probably break out of his shell and spout volumes in the online format. The online education program allows even the shy and timid to speak up without fear. In my opinion this is a huge advantage in the online degree program.

OK, so how do I start? I recommend visiting our sister site, College-Degree-Online.com . This site provides a comprehensive listing of some of the best online degree programs available today.