The Baltimore Sun has this story about an 80 year old lady who is trying to become a lawyer.
Her kids and grand kids no doubt want her to stop wasting their inheritance on going to school.
Age is less and less relevant to new students these days. With nearly 40 percent of college students above 25 years old, many of them are bringing 'baggage' to school with them.
That is, they are bringing habits, kids, work loads, excuses and the challenge of paying
their tuition with their minimum wage jobs.
Schools have accomodated older students with special courses, accelerated courses and programs, and even have established branch classes and the ability to take classes online.
But, what the higher-ed schools need now is to train faculty on how to handle these different kinds of students. Staff need to know how to help the financially challenged and while they are at it, child care wouldn't hurt either.
It seems to me the fopros have a head start on accommodating this new kind of student.
What do you think?
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When I attending the business school at Georgia Tech, one of the best students was a woman who was in her mid 40's. When her kids went to college, she did too. She had to study to take the SAT to get into Georgia Tech (no small matter) and carry a heavy workload as well as manage many things.
She inspired me and when my kids go to college I will go back. I think it is important for adults to be realistic about when is the proper timing. It is also important for high schools to give better guidance so that students are encouraged to go to college after high school when they have less commitments. Many do not realize that college is an option and are forced to go back when they hit the "glass ceiling" for non-college graduates in their late 30's / early 40's, a time when they also have a lot of commitments with family.
This is a good post and points out some good things. We must be careful not to stereotype "older students." The "older student" in my class broke every stereotype and then some. She was impressive in every way!
Posted by: Vicki Davis | June 21, 2006 5:09 PM | Permalink to Comment