Writing Skills & The Adult Student

Writing can be intimidating for adult students returning to college or working on Professional Development. There are tools that can help!

Writing can be a challenge for many adult students. Continuing education programs of all types, from technical and trade schools to a traditional undergraduate program will expect and require some level of expertise in writing. It’s also a necessary skill for many types of careers.

How do you feel about your own writing skills? Do you cringe when you have to write a letter, or feel like something isn’t quite right when you’ve completed a report or any type of writing at work? Are you confident and sure that you are getting your point across? Are you a lousy speller? Whether or not you like it, writing is one of those necessary evils for students, and for returning adult students can be a particular challenge. Good writing takes practice and like any other skill can get rusty without use. You may want to take some time and assess what your ability level is.

What type of writing can the adult continuing education student expect to be required to produce? Essay writing will be among the most common type of writing you may be required to produce. Fortunately, writing an essay isn’t as difficult as it may seem, and by practicing a simple formula you will be able to create essays with ease. The same goes for research and term papers. Although they are longer and involve more research, knowing the right format to use and using it every time will be a huge help in getting it underway. Outlines and analyses of readings are also commonly required writing assignments.

The next few articles upcoming will deal with the different types of writing that may be expected from the returning student. Check back to find ideas, tips, and suggestions on how to meet and exceed your writing requirements!