As an adult learner (or non-traditional student), you probably understand the importance of education better than most high school students considering college. Here are some ideas on why education is an important part of your future:

• The more you know, the better you understand the world around you.
• The more educated you are, the more choices you have about what to do with your life. Education gives you options.
• The more years of school you attend, the more money you are likely to make. Check out the chart below for some statistics on education levels.

Education and Training Pay

Note: This represents earnings for year-round full-time workers. Median refers to the middle - the point where half of the people at each degree level earn more than that amount and half earn less. Source: Bureau of the Census; Bureau of Labor Statistics; SD Department of Labor Published by Postsecondary Education OPPORTUNITY, www.postsecondary.org

There are special reasons for adult students to attend college. Think about why you want to go to college and how that affects the goals you should work toward. What to think about:

• Are you looking for a new career?
• Do you want to increase your earning potential?
• Are you returning to college to complete a degree?

There are many opportunities to continue your education. Think about what is available and what is right for you.

Plan Your Career

• What are my interests?
  Think about what you enjoy and what you are good at.
• What careers make good use of my skills?
  Good with numbers? Consider earning an accounting or mathematics degree. Check out the following site to learn more about different careers:
       http://www.bls.gov/oco/
• Will I enjoy the career I have chosen?
  Talk to someone currently in that career position to observe what the work is like.
  What majors should I consider?
  If you're not sure what majors will help you achieve your career goals, contact an academic advisor at your college.

Now develop a personal career plan including all the steps you'll need to take to reach your ultimate goal - the career of your dreams.

Choose the Right College

They may include:

• State colleges and universities
• Local community colleges
• Technical colleges
• Private colleges and universities

What to think about when selecting the right college for you:

Programs offered
Make sure the colleges you look into offer the major or degree you'll be working toward, and that the quality of their program meets your standards.

Cost
Cost should be a major consideration when choosing a college. But also consider the financial aid package offered and make an informed decision based on what you can afford.

Financial Aid Package
Look at the financial aid package colleges offer you to help determine the school that you can best afford.
Need help? Visit our Award Letter Comparison Worksheet.

Location
Location is an especially important consideration for adult learners. You may have responsibilities preventing you from moving across the country. Think about locations that will suit your situation.

Class Schedule
Many colleges are offering evening and weekend classes to help you work those classes into your busy life.

Distance Education
Want to take your classes from home? Check into colleges that offer classes over the Internet.

Size and faculty-to-student ratio
Small colleges may provide more hands-on, personal attention while larger colleges can offer more diversity, more programs, and more options. Think about what you expect out of your college experience.

Student housing
Some colleges offer married housing, on-campus apartments, and other alternative housing options. Think about the type of housing you need and whether your needs can be met either on-campus or off.

Childcare
As an adult learner, childcare may be one of your major concerns when choosing a college. Many colleges offer day care centers on campus.

Placement rate
Talk to professors, other students in your program, and the college's placement office to learn about the college's and your major's placement rate.

Do your research. The more you know, the more likely you are to be satisfied with your college choice.

Find Balance

• Establish a schedule and stick to it. For example, do homework every night from eight to ten o’clock – no matter what!
• Set some ground rules – discuss with your family how important your education is to you and that you may not be available to them during certain times.
• Let your family know what you are doing so they can help you reach your goals by supporting you.
• Expect your priorities to shift. Today, studying for a test may be the most important thing in your life. Tomorrow, a sick child or a project for work will be your top priority.
• Study with your children and set a good example for their future.

• Make sure to set aside time for your family as well. Have a family fun night or date night once a week.
• Work ahead! You never know what crisis is looming. If you can get your school work done early, you’ll have extra time to take care of other things.
• Remember that you may need to make sacrifices. Even if you have to switch to a less stressful job or cut back your hours at work, keep in mind that continuing your education is a great investment in your family’s future.
• Ask for help. People really do want to help. You’ll never know how much until you ask.

Manage Your Time

• Think about what time of day is best for you to complete your studying. Are you a night person? A morning person? Are you better after your first cup of coffee or after lunch? Maybe you need to do your work after the kids are in bed or before work in the morning.
• Stay committed to the time you have chosen and treat it like an appointment. Put other things on hold until your work is done.
• Look at how you spend your time now, and see where you can make cuts so that you have time to complete your school work. Activities like dusting might have to go a bit longer than normal during this busy time in your life.
• Ask your family or friends to help around the house or run errands – then pay back the favor during a break from school.
• Try not to save all of your schoolwork for one day of the week – things might come up that day that will keep you from getting done what you need to.
• Save time by cooking once a month or once a week and freezing portions to thaw each day. Learn more at http://busycooks.about.com/cs/oamc/index.htm.
• Write a “To Do” list to keep yourself motivated and on task. Look back to see how far you’ve come to encourage yourself to keep going.
• Think about using a paper or computer-based calendar to make sure you are aware of upcoming projects.

Set Goals

1. Identify your goals.
   Are you looking to further your career, earn an “A” in a class, or just make sure your homework gets done tonight? Take some time to think about what your goals are and write them down. Be specific, for example, “I want to study for one hour tonight between 8:00 and 9:00.”
2. Gather information about what resources you will need to achieve this goal.
   Whether you need a certain amount of study hours to achieve that “A” or if you need help with childcare to get a paper done, it’s important to know what help you need to reach your goals.
3. Recognize your ability
   Your goal should match up with what you are able to achieve. Be realistic, but also have high expectations for yourself.
4. Develop a Plan
   Break down your goal into attainable steps. The first step to becoming a lawyer isn’t taking your bar exam. Every time you reach a step toward your goal, reward yourself, then keep going. Be sure to look back at where you’ve been to encourage yourself to continue.

Some things to keep in mind as you set about achieving your goals:

• You will have obstacles to overcome, whether that is because you didn’t do your part to reach your goal or because something else is standing in your way. When you hit a setback, look back at how far you’ve come, and then keep moving toward your goal.
• Talk with other students who are farther along in your program and get encouragement and tips from someone who has been there.
• Take advantage of your school’s academic advisor or counselor to help you when setting goals.

Visit College Web Sites

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Get Childcare Help

• Consider hiring childcare help so you can have uninterrupted class and study time.
• Know what's available through your college. Many schools offer childcare facilities right on campus.
• Try to trade childcare with another parent.
• Ask family members if they would be willing to help. An evening at grandma's might afford you the time you need to work on a project or study for a test and would be fun for your children as well. Perhaps your spouse or an aunt or uncle can treat the kids to a movie or visit to the park.
• Keep in mind that you're improving your children's future as well as your own, especially on those days that's it's a little tougher to leave your children in daycare.
• Look into your state's options for financial assistance for childcare: http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/statedata/dirs/display.cfm?title=ccdf
• Check out A Parent's Guide to Choosing Safe and Healthy Childcare at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/RESOURCES/ParentsGuide.pdf.

Keep Your Kids Busy While You Study

• Pop in a video.
• Provide them with books on tape or CD.
• Let them play with pots and pans, cups and bowls.
• Get out a dress-up box.
• Study with them!
• Ask them to help. Maybe they can type your notes, look up words in the dictionary, or help you make study aids like flashcards.
• Set aside special toys that only come out during your study time.
• Take your kids and your homework to the park or the backyard.
• Work through a reading assignment during your child's ball practice or dance lesson.

Look Into Healthcare Programs

Sources of Help
Be sure to discuss your healthcare coverage needs with your college. There may be a program offered through the school that would be right for you. Also look into short-term healthcare coverage or contact your local Health and Human Services office to see if you are eligible for assistance programs.

Learn More
Learn more about available health insurance options by visiting:

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  www.hhs.gov
  
• Insure Kids Now!
  www.insurekidsnow.gov

Ask for Help

On Campus
It's important for you to take the time to know what resources are available on campus. Familiarize yourself with these common support services:

• Academic advisors
• Career counseling services
• Disability services
• Enrollment office
• Financial aid office
• Library
• Tutors
• Groups for adult learners
• Bookstore
• Childcare facilities

• Family
• Friends
• A mentor
• Another adult learner

Accessing Special Resources for Adult Learners

• Back to College
• Further Your Education