Have no fear, Mom: College is here
June 19, 2012
Whether you're enrolling in online courses or trying night school, returning to college can be scary. But some fears adults and parents have aren't that frightening when you take a closer look:
Standing out because of your age
The prospect of being the only 30-something amidst packs of 20-year-olds is daunting. But it's also unlikely, as more and more adults are returning to school now. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, 772,386 Americans age 25 and over enrolled in secondary education in 2009, many more than the 517,572 enrolled in 1999. Odds are you won't be the only one returning to school, and even if you feel like you are, some of those 20-year-olds are bound to be friendly.
Not being able to afford the tuition bill
The cost of college is a challenge for most students, but returning adults can apply for scholarships for parents. Online searches, perusing through scholarship books and asking around can lead you to financial aid for mothers and adults. Such awards include scholarships offered by the American Association of University Women and awards granted by the Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation.
Forgetting the basics
After time away from lecture halls and standardized tests, you might worry you've forgotten everything you learned in school. At the start of the semester, however, everyone's rusty from the summer, and often a professor will start the class with review. For extra help, many colleges provide tutors or teaching assistants, and you can also befriend your classmates and set up your own study sessions, preferably ones with baked goods. If you feel completely lost, you can always ask your professors for help, as most hold office hours for students to drop in and discuss the course.
Letting down your kid
Returning to school may lead you to feel you're ignoring your kids, but if you plan your classes out to fit into your schedule, you can balance education and family. Reach out to your friends and family to see if they can drive your child to his soccer game or babysit while you study. And talk to your kids about what you're up to - they could do their homework along with you. They may even understand why you're going back to school and want to grow up and attend college, too, so they can be like you.
