Can adults go back into education? Yes

They say that ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,’ WRONG…You are never too old to learn. Adult learners tend to have lots of responsibilities and commitments such as family, works etc and feel they just don’t have the time for study. Can adults go back to education? Going back to school and returning to learning when we have had a break is hard, it also tends to make adult learners feel out of their comfort zone. If this is you? Then read on.

Believe in yourself

Let’s start by thinking about, ‘What does it mean to believe in yourself?’

Believing in yourself means having faith in your own capabilities and knowing you can do anything within your ability if you put your mind to it. When you believe in yourself, you can overcome any self-doubt and have the confidence to have a go.

Don’t let the thought of going back into education overwhelm you, there are more adult learners out there than you may realise. You may feel worried about been older than your peers and feel they may judge you. But don’t worry  and be yourself, you will bring more to the lessons than you may realise. You have life experiences that younger students don’t have, and your presence may be reassuring to them.

Don’t let technology get you down when going back to education

Technology provides students with instant access to a vast number of online resources and information, a fantastic tool at your fingertips. The internet allows students to explore the subjects they are wanting to learn, and up to date educational materials are available that might not be in traditional textbooks. No more long treks to the library!

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Asking questions is how we all learn; many people will sit in their class and never ask a single question and they leave the lesson feeling they have learnt nothing. Remember if your teacher doesn’t know what you are struggling with, then there is nothing they can do to help and support you.

Motivation

Setting yourself goals and having clear ideas of what you want from your lessons, serves as a key motivator in adult education. So, think about the following ideas.

Break down tasks into manageable chunks. Consider your timescale.

Study in short bursts to prevent cognitive overload.
Make study time fun.
Set clear goals with a time frame that suits you.

Take responsibility for your learning

Taking responsibility for your own learning can make all the difference when it comes to motivating yourself to study. Recognising you are in charge of what you learn will help you to focus and keep going and not allow other distractions get in the way. Imagine what your life will be like in ten years if you prepare for it today. There is financial help for ‘Higher Education’ so don’t let the lack of money put you off.

Goals

Adult learners often have extremely specific goals, giving them a deep passion to learn what they need to reach them. Having already spent time in the work place they know what is needed to reach their goals.

Time management is going to be critical to your success. It’s not easy to balance family and work with school life, but it is possible. The key is to identify the best time in your day when you know you will be able to focus on your learning. Create a quiet study area and have everything to hand ready for your session.

Writing things down

If you are learning a new skill, you shouldn’t underestimate the power of putting pen to paper. Yes, you may be able to type faster than you can write, but noting down on paper important points can improve understanding of the subject matter. This is because writing focuses you to process the information more slowly, making it easier to retain. The act of writing things down involves more cognitive activity than typing it out on a keyboard. This means that more areas of the brain are activated, helping you to remember more.

A couple of ideas for writing things down:

Mind maps are a great way, and they are fun.
Bullet points are also a great way to make notes, to be written up later.
But of course the best way is the one you find works for you.

Mnemonics

What are Mnemonics? They are systems for improving and assisting memory. A way of learning techniques that aid information retention in the human memory.

Mnemonic devices are a popular learning technique, which involves creating a pattern that helps you to recall specific information. In the form of songs, poems, acronyms, or visualisations.

They may appear difficult to understand at first, but you more than likely have already come across them. For example, remembering North, East, south, West as “never eat shredded wheat” or spelling ‘necessary’ by thinking of a shirt with ‘one collar and two sleeves.

The benefits of online lessons for adult learners

Flexibility to choose when you book lessons so they suit your daily routine of work and family commitments means that you can study at a time when you know will be quiet and you will be better able to focus.

Learn at your own pace, there is no rush. Being able to learn at a pace that suits you makes learning new skills less stressful.

Working at your own pace, you can take the time you need to understand the material you are studying, and will better be able to retain the information, which can lead to increased confidence.

Online learning is usually either on a 1-1 basis or small groups (3-1 maximum with Advanteach.uk) Small group sizes can massively support your learning. Each student gets noticed and can get the attention they need from their tutor. Learning is enhanced and more is learnt and generally at a faster speed.

Online learning can help eliminates anxiety often felt in traditional face-to-face classes. Learning from the comfort of your own home in a relaxed atmosphere, which can help better focus and motivation.

With online learning there are no commuting costs, all you will need is a laptop (fitted with a camera and microphone or headset) and a good internet connection.

So, why not consider this way of learning to see if it could work for you!