Adults seem to have an excuse for everything if they do not have the motivation for doing something. The biggest area that most people dwell on is if they should even go or come back to to college/university. When everyone was younger, they were forced to go to elementary and high school. Some may have gone to college and either completed it or never completed it. As I went throughout my careers, I have noticed that not many people actually enjoy the careers they have chosen. They have either chosen it because it was a easy convenience, they haven’t been able to find another job or are too afraid to try something new. The main factor I  witnessed from people’s answers had to deal more people’s age. What they fail to realize though is that just because someone is an adult, it is still possible to learn. The only difference is “as people age[,] they learn differently” (Evans & Miller, 1997, p. 7). This does not mean older people can’t learn. This just means university teachers have to be trained to teach adults differently compared to students in high school.  Some common complaints about going back to school would be:

1. Am I too old to go back and study?

Having the mentality of being too old to go back to school is really the only thing that hinders people from completing or going on to further education. University teachers already know that they need to teach students who either have very little or a lot of experience in other or related fields. This is why teachers really have no judgement towards students who are looking to learn at any age. Teachers find students admirable for wanting to improving their skills. The mentality of being too old really only comes from the individual student themselves.

2. I am too busy mentality.

The second most common mentality is that people think they are too busy to go back to study. Yes, life can get busy at times. However, it really is a matter or what you decide to prioritize in life. Some people prioritize going out and partying or watching TV more rather than taking that time to study. Neither is right or wrong in life. It is just a matter of preference.

3. It is too expensive.

Yes, education can be expensive especially when you have responsibilities to take care of. However, it is also dependant on what the individual prioritizes. There are also many bursaries and awards that students can apply for to help them through their studies. This is why the option of part time studies may be beneficial for some individual because it could allow them to work and study at the same time.

4. Will taking classes help my job or career?

Some individuals think that taking more education will not help them in their career. For this I would say that it really depends on what the individual wants to achieve. For some industries it may not be beneficial because real life experience is more valuable. However, for a lot of white-collar jobs do find themselves needing to take more education in order to advance in their careers at a faster rate. When you are at a regular desk job you do find yourself having to get that extra education. This extra education has to be something that people want to strive for though to put in the time and effort to do in life.

For myself, I enjoy the solitude of being alone and studying. It gives me a sense of peace but also a sense of motivation that I am slowly improving myself and reaching my educational goals. Everyone has different opinions on whether or not to take education. I believe whole heartedly that school can help people a lot in the long-run. Not only will it let you gain valuable knowledge and connections, but it also brings a sense of stability. Education is not something that someone can take away from you. It can help you find new jobs and opportunities you never thought possible. A lot of companies still require a bachelors degree or higher. If someone were to ask me if going for a higher education is worth it my answer will always be yes.

References

Evans, J. P., & Miller, M. T. (1997). Adult Learner Characteristics among Graduate Education Students: Comparison by Academic Discipline. 7. Retrieved August 20, 2022, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED410428.pdf