Never Too Late For College

New Semester Tips for Adult Students

marybabysteps — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:57:50 EST

Christmas break is almost over, so it's time to start thinking about heading back to school. Some of you may be ready to get back into the groove, while others may be dreading the hectic pace of balancing school, work and outside interests. Here are some tips for everyone to help you get off on the right foot for the new semester.

Review Your Schedule

Take a minute to be sure that you're comfortable with your semester's schedule. Sometimes in an attempt to wind down the semester with as little stress as possible, it's easy to choose classes quickly and to just try to get what's open and fits your major requirements. After takiong a second look, you may discover that your schedule looks a bit too overloaded on Tuesdays and Thursdays or that you've schedule all your favorite humanities courses while neglecting any math and science blocks. Maybe there was a class you really wanted that was full. It's always possible that with unpaid tuition bills or drop outs that a space may have opened up. Give your adviser a call to see if you can set up an appointment to go over your schedule or at least check online to see if any other combinations might work better.

Get Those Books

If you're satisfied with your schedule or with most of it, you'll want to decide where you plan to buy or rent your books. The decision is up to you. There are many options, but I recommend doing some research to find out what works best for your situation. The campus book store used to be the only way to go, and it's certainly not the cheapest. Now you can buy books online, in electronic versions or even rent your books. No matter what you choose, it's a good idea to get them now so that you have them before classes start. You don't want to miss any assignments while waiting for your books to arrive.

Make a Plan

You'll feel a lot better if you've looked ahead to see just what your days will look like once classes start. If you need childcare or modified work arrangements, get those things in order now so that you'll have less to worry about once school starts back. This advice may sound pretty obvious, but I can't tell you the number of students I've seen looking to make last-minute changes to their schedules because there was some conflict they hadn't considered until it was too late. So just take a minute to review your schedule and make sure there's nothing that will trip you up once the semester gets under way. You'll be glad you took care of things now.

Good luck with your upcoming semester! And remember that a new semester is a new beginning. It's a chance to explore, learn new things and change the things you may not have been happy with in the past.

Guest Post: 5 Reasons You Should Hire a Career Coach

marybabysteps — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:28:32 EST

For many, the prospect of hiring a career coach is as daunting as searching for a job – perhaps even more so, considering looking for a job is free.

The truth, however, is that hiring a career coach can result in getting a job faster and, even more importantly, finding a job that is more likely to evolve into an enjoyable long-term career. A career coach can help a person identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop a more comprehensive understanding of the job market and where a job seeker’s talents will be most richly rewarded.

The 5 reasons you should hire a career coach listed below are offered as a way to bring some definition to what these professionals can bring to your job search.

1. Job Market Expertise

Great career coaches are connected to the business community and have a nuanced understanding of the needs represented in the job market. They know what jobs drive local economies, and are on speaking terms with the people who are seeking employees for these jobs.

This knowledge benefits anyone looking for a job, but can be especially helpful for people who are new to an area and searching for employment. As many job seekers come to find out, it does matter who you know and a career coach can be a great place to start.

2. Talent Identification

A career coach should be adept at pinpointing the talents in others and be able to link these talents to needs in the job market. There is often a difference between what a person likes to do and what a person is good at doing and career coaches can help define and/or combine the two.

It’s very common for people to have trouble identifying their own strengths and weaknesses. Giving yourself an objective and honest assessment is difficult, and a professional third-party opinion can really shed light on what you have to offer a potential employer.

3. Professional Development

This is an area where career coaches can really earn their fees, by educating clients on what they can do to improve on the skills sets they already possess and where to get the necessary training to snag a desired position.

A career coach should be honest when addressing whether you have the necessary skills to be competitive in the market for a particular position; however, it’s also important that you know when that level of competitiveness is attainable with a reasonable amount of preparation or additional education.

4. Resume Construction

It’s true that there are thousands of free resume templates available online, in books and in resume-writing guides of all types. The difference between these resources and a career coach is that the coach will likely have tips on formatting and presentation that suit particular local/regional employers.

A brief foray into the hiring process for federal employment, for example, can demonstrate how specialized resume writing can get. It is difficult to anticipate what an employer expects when it comes to resumes, and a good career coach can help you craft a more competitive resume product.

5. Interview Training Practice

Many people find it awkward asking friends or family to conduct practice interviews, and these arrangements can be less helpful because of the familiar relationship and simulated feel of the experience.

Career coaches can provide you with objective and unpredictable interview training that can gear you to think on your feet and expect the unexpected. This medicine-ball approach to interviewing can bring you to a point where you feel that any interview is manageable, because you’ve been trained to handle the most challenging of environments.

In Summary...

There is no question that a career coach can be an invaluable investment in the process of securing employment. It is important, though, that you shop around and ask questions to find out which coach provides the services you seek and is a good fit for your job-seeking needs.

This article was written by Justin Davis who writes for Teacher Certification Degrees, a resource site for individuals who are interested in learning how to become a teacher

Guest Post - Making Friends in College as an Adult

marybabysteps — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:34:45 EDT

While Never Too Late for College has discussed the importance of building a social and professional network while maintaining a strong support system, many do not realize that as an adult attending college, you may find it difficult to make friends with all the responsibilities you have to deal with that your peers may not. Making school friends, however is very important if you want completely integrate into college life. Here are a few pointers for making new friends on campus.

Photo by u7b

When you first begin being involved in your school, you may notice that you are older than most students, and you may feel uncomfortable being among those who are younger, sometimes significantly so, than you. Still, if you force yourself to retain the mindset that you are not a whole lot different than these kids, it will be much easier to make friends. Find things in common with your peers, and you'd be surprised by how easy it is to get along with almost anyone if you are open to doing so.

One issue that may be keeping you from enjoying the social environment in a university is that you feel as though you are too old to have the same sort of fun your peers are having. You may fear being the oldest person at the party or social function. When I was in college, I had befriended many older students, and although they were reticent at first, they soon embraced student life and became some of the most fun people to hang out with.

Chatting someone up in the cafeteria or talking to a student after class will only take you so far in making new friends in college. And this is true of all students, no matter what age. If you really want to enjoy a robust social life, then you will have to take charge. Find out what student activities you can and would like to participate in, and talk to students after class about starting a study group that meets after class in the evenings.

Of course, it may be frustrating every once in a while to be conversing with students who are much younger than you, because they often do not share the same experiences. Almost every university has a sizeable population of older students, and many of them are just as nervous about making friends as you may be. Find out from other students and professors if you don't personally know any older students. Once you meet some, you'll be able to have other older students to talk who can commiserate with your own problems of living the student life but having adult responsibilities, too.

Making friends in school is really not that difficult once you've dedicated yourself to opening up to others. Even if it has been awhile since you were last in school, you'll soon see how easy it is to get back in the swing of things.

This guest post is contributed by Barbara Jolie, who writes for online classes. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: barbara.jolie876@gmail.com.

Should You Rent Your Textbooks?

marybabysteps — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:13:17 EDT

There is no one right answer to the question of whether students should buy or rent textbooks.The answer is different for each individual. It's important that you do your research and look into the various options before making your decision. You should be able to get your required book list when you register for class. This will give you time to look into the most affordable option for obtaining the semester's books. Here are some things to consider when making your choice.

Reasons to Rent

Less upfront cost
No need to worry about whether the book will be bought back
Environmentally friendly, as books can be reused
Convenient, no need to stand in line
Easy to compare prices

Reasons to Buy

May need the book later
Needed books may not be available
Must wait for books to arrive
Note taking or highlighting may not be allowed

It's great to have options for getting your textbooks. Just be sure to take the time to do some research. There are a lot of considerations to take into account. Before renting, check the textbook rental site's policies to be sure that you are getting the best deal. Ask how long the rental period is, as you'll want to be sure you have the books when you study for final exams. Check to see if the cost of shipping is included or if it s extra, and be sure to find out whether you can write in the book; otherwise you may end up owing additional fees. Renting textbooks can be a viable option, as long as you make well-thought out decisions regarding the cost.

5 Top Adult Education Programs

marybabysteps — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:50:58 EST

Adult education is a growing field of study at colleges and universities throughout the nation. It is a diverse educational field that focuses on understanding the various ways adults learn. Adult education is also concerned with helping adults learn in the best way possible.

Penn State

The Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education recently ranked Penn State as the second best university for adult education in the world. Penn State's program is unique because of the intense collaboration between doctoral students and faculty. The diverse backgrounds of these individuals contribute to an adult education program that covers a variety of subjects. Everything from workplace learning to democratic participation is taught in Penn State's adult education program.

Capella University

Capella University's adult education program focuses on producing students who are adept problem solvers who are well-suited to work in a variety of social situations. The school takes a more broad approach to adult education compared to most universities. Capella University combines general knowledge of adult education with teachings in psychology, information technology and sociology to provide a skill set that is useful in many different industries.

Indiana University

Indiana University's adult education program focuses on the fields of corporate training, professional education and postsecondary education. It provides a detailed history of adult education and can be taken completely online. Students who graduated from Indiana University's adult education programs have gone on to careers in social services, financial services, natural resource management and health care. They work in both profit and non-profit industries. Indiana University offers career services for adult education students to make sure they find a job that allows them to use the skills they learned in the classroom in real world situations.

New York University

The main draw of New York University's adult education program is the city you would be getting your education in. New York is a vibrant place, filled with spirit and culture. New York University's adult education program allow students to connect with global industries that provide a unique educational experience that cannot be obtained anywhere else in the world. The adult education program offered by New York University focuses more on how adults function in the business world compared to other schools.

University of Michigan

The adult education program offered by the University of Michigan combines numerous strategies, events and resources to provide students with a broad base of knowledge in the field. Upon entrance into the program, students choose an area in which to focus their studies. Possible focused areas of study include English as a second language, learning disabilities and adult literacy.

Louise Baker ranks online programs for Zen College Life. She most recently wrote about getting a stenographer degree.

Information on Webhosting

marybabysteps — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:47:54 EST

Non-traditional aged college students often worry that they may be behind their traditionally aged counterparts on various aspects of college. Computer skills may be one of those areas. Depending on your age, you may not have grown up learning about computers in school and using them on a daily basis. Computer skills are one area that you'll want to become familiar with in order to be competitive in the job market. Don't worry. If you're an absolute beginner, you can take an introduction course at your school. All students can benefit from learning their way around a computer. Whether you're a novice or a computer pro, one of the most beneficial uses of the computer today is to start your own website. A website can serve as a portfolio of your work or as a means to set yourself apart from your competition in the job market. One of the first things you'll want to look into when it comes to setting up your own website is good webhosting.

Fortunately, there are resources to help you find the best webhosting. Just as Google and other search engines are useful for researching term papers, you'll find a good number of sites and articles online to help you choose the best webhosting. There are reviews out there for all kinds of webhosts. You'll find reviews on the well known hosts like Blue Host and even lesser known ipage host reviews and justhost hosting reviews.

Be sure to keep the primary rule of online research in mind when looking into webhosts. Consider the source. Take a look at the site to see if it is a legitimate source of information or if it is somehow trying to present information in a way that benefits a hidden agenda or is not genuine and unbiased. Use your critical thinking skills, ask questions and look for the best sources of information. Do become familiar with using the computer and get yourself an online presence. It will take you far.

Final Exam Tips for Adult Students

marybabysteps — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:41:39 EST

It's probably almost final exam time at your college or university. Finals can be pretty overwhelming, especially if it's your first semester. You've worked hard all semester. Don't let the stress of final exam time get you down. Here are some tips to get through it.

Make a Game Plan

You'll want to take some time to figure out a plan for tackling final exam week. Decide which classes will require the most work on your part and be sure to set aside adequate time for preparing for those. That's not to say that your easier or favorite class is not worth studying for, but it's smart to realize that the challenging work will require more time. Write down in your planner or agenda the times that you will set aside for studying and be sure to include your family in your planning process. Let them know you'll need extra study time and delegate ways for them to help, such as preparing meals or doing laundry.

Find a Study Spot

You probably have a regular study spot already, but during this intense academic time, you may need to designate a more rigid study place. When i was studying for my graduate school comprehensive exam, I studied at the the community college library where I was working on my internship. Not a lot of students spent time on the second floor, and it was far from the demands and distractions of my home. It was a great spot that really forced me to focus completely on my studies.

Take Care of Yourself

Finals time is fast-paced and hectic. But don't push yourself to the point that you're exhausted. Try to get adequate sleep and eat well. This will give you the energy and stamina you need to make it through. You also don't want to be too hard on yourself. Remember all the hard work you've put in throughout the semester and do your best to perform well on finals, but don't expect perfection. Final exams won't make or break you as a student. Finals only last a week. It'll all be over soon, and you can enjoy your long holiday break. These study tips work great for taking classes in online universities, too.

So take a deep breath and know that you'll make it through. Don't forget to smile. I'll leave you with some humor. Remember, that C isn't always your best guess on multiple choice tests and that your final exams can't be as bad as these college finals from hell.

Dealing With Holiday Stress as an Adult Student

marybabysteps — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:30:29 EST

College can be stressful for adult students throughout the semester, but particularly so during the busy holiday season. There are so many things going on right now. You're probably trying to stay healthy, and juggle all your household responsibilities, on top of getting ready for finals. Don't freak out. There are steps you can take to manage all the chaos in your life right now.

Keep Some Perspective

Easy to say, I know, but I've been there. There are only 24 hours in a day, and you're only one person. Keep your past successes in mind and focus on the fact that you'll get through this as well. Make a plan and stick to it. Make a list of what absolutely must be done and prioritize that list for each day. Don't forget to reward yourself as you check things off. Even if it's just something small, like a bubble bath or an ice cream cone, that's okay. Taking time for yourself will help to avoid burnout.

Don't Go It Alone

Remember to call on your support system during this time. It's the people closest to you who want to help you out when you're stressed. Be sure to reach out to them and allow them to do so. Call a friend to vent about your big history paper. It'll help to blow off steam, and maybe she'll have some good suggestions for how to find a little more time. Delegate responsibilities. Maybe your spouse could cook dinner for you while you work on your term paper or study for that exam. It doesn't hurt to ask; however, trying to go it alone could have negative consequences like strained relationships and health repercussions.

Change Your Thinking

Stress can often be at its highest due to the way we think about the stressful things in our lives. If we let it build up and convince ourselves that it's too much to handle, we're bound to become overwhelmed. Think about ways that you can reframe your thinking or approach a situation proactively. For example, say you're worrying about the three finals you have coming up in two weeks. In addition to the final exams, you have to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for 25 guests, start your Christmas shopping, and attend the kids' holiday concerts. Yikes, that's a lot! Rather than get upset about how much you have to do, take a moment to be grateful for all that you have in your life. It may seem cliche, but gratitude does wonders to change negative feelings. Once you've reframed your thoughts into something positive, take action to figure out the best way to get things done. Remember the above suggestions and write down all the ways that people can help you, then make an action plan for when you'll do each task. Taking matters into your own hands can be very empowering.

Adult students can be very hard on themselves. We have high expectations for doing well and being successful. That's great, but don't forget to give yourself some slack. The life of a non-traditional student can be very demanding, so be sure to take care of yourself and just do what you can. I hope these tips have helped. Let me know what works for you during stressful times and if you have anything to add to my list. Thanks!

Should You Go Back To School?

marybabysteps — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:09:26 EST

Photo by Jerine

Should you go back to school? I'm not even going to try to pretend that I know the answer that's right for you. There are so many variables to consider. Each individual's situation is unique. Particularly, in today's economy, more and more people are considering pursuing higher education later in life, like earning a master's degree. My general philosophy is that one can never have too much education, but that doesn't mean that I think everyone should go out and enroll in college. There certainly are things to take into consideration.

I read this interesting article the other day on whether there are too many students going to college. There were many thought-provoking considerations brought up. The article seemed to be in reference to students right out of high school and pointed out that many young adults may not be ready for college and that the investment may not be a worthwhile one. I found myself disagreeing with some of the experts quoted in the article, however. Fundamentally, I believe that pursuing a college education is beneficial for the majority of students, young and old, and here's why.

Personal Growth

I've said it before here at Never Too Late For College, and I'll probably say it a million more times. But I think it bears repeating: students gain so much more than an academic education. Even adult students, who've already gained a wealth of life experiences, change and develop personally during their time in college. I've seen so many students enter college with fear and uncertainty, then leave with confidence and purpose.

Increased Earning Potential

Despite the economic recession, it is still likely that increased education will lead to higher income. These figures are about ten years old, but studies have shown that lifetime income does increase relative to advanced degrees. This is something to take into consideration. Research your field of interest. Talk to admissions counselors or your local career center to learn about the income potential of certain jobs. If it seems that a particular career won't get you further ahead economically, you may wish to reconsider.

Personal Satisfaction

On the other hand, we all know that money isn't everything. You'll also want to look into the potential for obtaining jobs in your area. If your career field of interest is already saturated in your region, you may need to relocate. This is a very important point to keep in mind. In my area of western Pennsylvania, there was a growth a number of years ago in the field of computer forensics. No, not CSI kind of biological forensics, but the kind involved in using computers to locate information and evidence involved in crimes.Because of that boom, the job market is rather full at this time. Lots of my students who wanted to remain in the area didn't know that. After doing your research, determine if your level of personal satisfaction and the quality of your life will be improved by pursuing a certain degree. If, despite location and income, you think you'll be happy in that career and will be able to earn a living, then you'll want to continue on to the next step of enrolling in your program of choice.

For more information on the value of higher education, you may want to check out this article by Elson S. Floyd, the president of Washington State University. In it, he gives his views on what's needed to improve institutions of higher education as well as why he thinks the pursuit of a college degree is worth it. What are your thoughts?

Networking for Adult College Students

marybabysteps — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:57:33 EST

Finding time for anything besides studying when you're an adult college student can be tough. There doesn't seem to be time to breathe, let alone have any fun. So don't hate me when I tell you that you should probably try to get out there and network while you're in college. Yes, network, as in meet people and get to know them so that you've got some contacts when you're ready to job search. While it may be tempting to stick to yourself and only worry about getting through your classes with good grades, there's so much you'll be missing out on if you don't take the time to network with others while you're in college.

Personal Connections

By getting to know the people in your classes, you'll be making personal connections that can benefit you now as well as in the future. One of the biggest supports you can have is friends, especially if you have kids. It was so great to have other parent friends when I was in graduate school. I always had someone to vent to about the stress and rewards of being a mom, and there were a couples times that I had a sitter when I was in a pinch. Don't neglect getting to know your professors also. Not only will they be invaluable when you need a reference or recommendation down the line, professors can be wonderful mentors to inspire and motivate you along your way to getting that degree.

Volunteering or Internship

The job market today may seem pretty scary. To give yourself an edge, you'll want to get some experience in your field of interest. You can do this by volunteering, job shadowing, or interning. Some degrees require a semester long internship. Even if yours doesn't, I recommend trying to find some time to get personally involved in your future career field. Wanna work with kids? Contact the local YMCA, daycare, or mental health agency to see how to volunteer. Even an hour or two a week will put you ahead of others without hands-on experience. You may even find that you have an advantage if the agency has a job opening when you graduate. Do you know someone who actually does your dream job? Ask them if you can job shadow. You'll learn a lot this way. You can include this experience on your resume and offer your insight at job interviews. Even if you don't know someone in your prospective field, don't be afraid to reach out and contact local professionals.

Social Networking

Don't rule out using social media like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to make contacts. These sites aren't just for kids, you know. You'll find others with similar interests, professionals in your career field, and alumni from your school on these networks. Making contacts now will surely help you when it's time to look for a job. Not to mention that it's just fun to interact with new people this way. You may be interested to read about my own recent networking experience for an example of how social media has helped me professionally.

So take a little time to get to know those around you, get involved, and put yourself out there online. I can tell you from experience that it does pay off. For more information on networking for college students, take a look at this networking timetable for college students. While it's geared toward traditional aged students, you'll get some good information as well.

Have you connected with others in your program or campus? What's worked for you and how did you find the time? I'd love to hear about your experience!