Support is Important for Adult Learners

Whether we are going to school or not, it is not easy to make time to do the things we want to do. As adults who return to school, sustainability is something we really need to complete our goal along with believing in our own abilities. What if there was a way we could help each other succeed?

Just like the traditional students on campus, many of us here as non-traditional students are on different schedules. The difference is we come to campus, go to class, and then go home to our "other" life. But as mature learners we are all alumni; we have a common bond. I want to make that connection stronger. Wouldn't it be great to talk with each other about classes we have taken? Maybe we could loan each other our textbooks or tutor one another. We could share what we have learned on campus – good places to study, the best place to get a cup of coffee or a snack before or after class. What college resources have we used to help us along the way?

I think deciding to return to school as an adult who has a family to care for or a full-time job is a gamble. You give up something from one thing to gain another, but taking this risk is part of the educational reward. For some time now, I have wanted to start a support group on campus for adult students who juggle the many responsibilities of life while trying to earn a degree. Wouldn't it be nice to talk with others who really understand what it means to put schoolwork ahead of housework? But how could I start such a group, and where could we meet? Why would people make time to come and what's in it for them? Support!

I would like to call our group A.C.E.S. (Adult Continuing Education Students) because as non-traditional students we all have a winning hand. Classes can sometimes be the luck of the draw. We make a personal bet with ourselves that we can do this and the payoff is our college degree. Just like deciding to continue our education, there is much to think about when starting something like this, such as what days and times would work best for our non-traditional student club? I thought about starting with a family event, because after all, many of us wouldn't be here learning without the support of our families and significant others. I don't want to limit our club to just UC students, so why not open it up to others we know who are working toward their degree at other colleges?

I would love to hear your thoughts about beginning a Central New York non-traditional student organization. Any suggestions or ideas would be much appreciated. Please email me at rmbocyck@syr.edu or leave a comment. Hope you are having a good semester!
Roxanne