6 Reasons Adults Go Back to School
Continuing Education is Important for Continual Educational Growth
Sep 4, 2008
Many adults continue their education as a progress throughout their career for a variety of reasons. They want to improve their financial worth, chances of getting a promotion, and other reasons. Continuing education is becoming a popular trend today, as more adults go back to school.
This trend in more adults going back to school is based on there being more adults, over the age of 22, in universities and colleges today than the so called, traditional students in the 18 -22 age range [University Continuing Education Association, Current Trends Report 2008].
The terms traditional student (18 -22) and non-traditional student (over 22) are no longer applicable in universities and colleges. Colleges are adapting to their new typical students and professors are learning new methods of teaching to accommodate adults. This is why any adult thinking of going back to school should not hesitate – adults are the majority.
Reasons for Going Back to School
Events Which Cause Interest in Going Back to School
Many adults who decide to go back to school do so because of a significant event or events in their lives. Something important prompts a sudden urge to continue their education, here are a few examples:
- Getting passed over for promotion because of out of date skills
- Getting a new boss who triggers the need to seek other employment
- Company has announced layoffs or a merger coming soon
- Technical aspects of job require additional training or education
- Retirement brings about the need to seek another career
Personal Reasons
Many adults who go back to school do so for a variety of personal reasons, such as:
- Self Improvement – desire to learn something new about a topic that has always interested them, for example music, civil war history, art, cooking, etc.
- Educational Enrichment – computers, writing, photography, pottery, etc.
- Community Activism – social work, environmental issues, architectural trends, etc.
Complete a Degree
Many adults go back to finish a degree, which they started in an earlier time in their life and did not complete. As they grow older they have the need to fulfill this hole in their lives.
Continuing Education after Retirement
After retirement, many people who have been active all their lives in intellectual settings decide they need a challenge. So they enroll in courses which provide opportunity to stimulate thinking and intellectual abilities. They enroll in courses, such as:
- Democracy in the 21st Century
- Architectural Influences in Western Countries
- Green Technologies and Their Effect on Global Warming
These courses allow these adults to engage in discussions with other adults regarding the course issues. Something they miss from the working days.
Lifelong Learners and Personal Growth
These are adults who are always taking courses because of their need to continue learning about new things. They are not concerned about if a course they are enrolled in meets in career requirements, they are taking the course for personal growth.
New Career
These are adults who are enrolled in continuing education courses to prepare them for a new career they are thinking about entering.
Transitioning to School
If you are thinking about going back to school for reasons other than lifelong learning, it is best to take a course or two in the desired program to see if this is really what you want. This helps ensure you are on the right path.
Visit the following to learn additional information if you are thinking about going back to school, Education Planning and Adult Education Benefits.
 |
