Why Adult Students Excel in the Classroom

Thinking of going back to college in your 30s, 40s, 50s or beyond, but not sure if you can handle the academic demands? Relax, your life experiences give you an edge in the classroom over those teenagers and twenty-somethings. Being a busy employee or parent has taught you essential time management skills that the youngsters haven't had a chance to develop yet.

In her study Degrees of Opportunity,Lyungai Mbilinyi, MSW, MPH, PhD, reported that adult students had no qualms about their academic abilities once they had taken the plunge to return to the classroom:

•57% of those who have gone back to school say they wish they had done it sooner.

•42% said the timing was about right.

•Less than 1% said they wish they'd waited longer.

Coping with the demands of being an employee and/or parent is the best preparation you could ever have for the classroom. As an adult, you have learnedto juggle the demands of deadlines in the workplace. If you're a stay-at-home mom, you are a child-development specialist, a psychologist, a sports coach, an accountant, a chef and more. You know what it is to prioritize your tasks for the best outcome and manage your time. That is exactly what it takes to be a successful student. Another reason why adult students succeed where youngsters can fail is that they are paying for their education themselves. There is absolutely no temptation to join in the kegger parties and wake up too late to make it to class.

For the stay-at-home-moms, the chance to return to the classroom also brings about a personal intellectual renaissance.  Returning to the classroom gives stay-at-home-moms a  zest for life that comes from gaining confidence in themselves and their own intellectual abilities, and it doesn't take long to realize the benefits of this. Even subjects that students make have struggled with in high school seem easier because they have the ability to apply themselves diligently, work around distractions and they aren't afraid of asking questions anymore.

As a survey respondent in Dr. Mbilinyi's study stated,"Education is the one tangible product that the whole world respects. Once achieved, it can never be taken away. It opens more doors, and offers more opportunities than any other single achievement." Don't deny yourself this opportunity because you think that you're too old or not smart enough to suceed in the classroom. You have the skills and the ability to not just pass your courses, but to excel in them. All you have to do is gather your courage and apply to a college that fits you well, whether online or brick-and-mortar. You'll never be sorry that you gave yourself this gift.