Many adults are drawn back to school after deferring on higher education to raise families. Others look to further their training after downsizing or disability forces them out of longtime jobs.
Two-year degrees serve as gateways into new fields, confer credentials, or offer a cost-effective way to complete general education coursework before transferring to a four-year institution. The trick to obtaining full value from community college credits is selecting courses that either apply directly toward a specific certification or transfer fully to a baccalaureate program.
Like technical schools, community colleges offer wide-ranging subject matter, not all of which align with traditional four-year schools’ undergraduate requirements.
Before you enroll in a class, verify that the institution you plan to transfer to will accept credits and add the grade to your four-year grade point average.
A sizable percentage of the community college population consists of so-called non-traditional students, many older adults with jobs, families, and limited time for schoolwork.
Community colleges emphasize maintaining and boosting their enrollments, so they want their students to do well and stay in school.
To that end, two-year institutions offer tutoring centers, preparation classes to assist with computer literacy, and many services designed for student retention. Take full advantage of what your college offers. You’re entitled to receive these services as part of your tuition costs, and they can smooth your progress through school.
Talk to your academic adviser about how best to make headway through your coursework. Time Commitments Instructors often estimate a three-to-one ratio between classroom time and class preparation, including planning lessons and grading papers.
As a student, you should expect to have a similar ratio in many classes. As an adult first-year student, you’ll be faced with English composition, math, and other first-year subjects that you may not have studied since high school, and you’ll need to research and write papers for the first time since you were in your teens.
Expect the unfamiliarity of resuming education. If you’re unsure how heavy a class load to carry when you begin, underestimate the amount you can handle rather than picking up a full course schedule in your first semester.
With a lighter set of academic responsibilities, you’ll give yourself a better chance to do well while you get your bearings in school.
Trust Your Experience. You may be hesitant to join a class populated with freshman-age first-year students, worried that you’ll fare poorly next to students young enough to be your offspring. Far from being at a disadvantage, you’re likely to find that your mature outlook on life gives you significant advantages over younger classmates.
Set aside your apprehensions and prepare to benefit from your maturity. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at your success— and you may save money as well.
Some community colleges offer free tuition for students over 60. If your perception of community colleges dates back to when you were in high school, bring your notions up to speed and discover the value these easy-on-the-wallet institutions can offer. Regardless of the curriculum, you can find educational resources that meet your needs and budget.
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