When is the right time for individuals to return or go to school.
How do you help individuals know if this is the correct time in their life to be in school. Many of our students attend school, homeless, no job, no tranportation, single parent and some all of the above. Is this the right time to invest alot of money in school and potentially not be successful and encure unwanted debt.
Matt--
You are correct...adults tend to return to school if they 'have to'; and it is much more difficult once you have other obligations.
Susan
Going to school as an adult certainly requires a lot of forward thinking. I see students all the time that DRASTICALLY underestimate what it takes to pull it off...
Jerry--
Excellent point. We owe every student the opportunity to succeed. This doesn't mean we do the work for them or just 'pass' them...but it does mean that some need a little more reassurance.
Susan
my concern is the student that does fall through that crack. yes it may not have been the right time to sign up but here they are. As the instructor you also need to step up and treat them the same as other students would be treated and do your best to help them sucseed. this may be there last chance to make something of themselves
I agree there is no "right" time; however, I think the majority depends on the individual's drive and commitment. If you are committed enough then you will do what ever it takes to complete your goal despite being homeless, formerly incarcerated, lost a job etc. I know that this is a rare occurance but it is possible.
John--
Right you are. Good admissions personnel know how to asking probing questions and not do all the talking. This is a skill and, to be fair to the student, we also need to make suggestions when it is appropriate, to postpone.
Susan
There is probably no "right" time, but it takes serious probing and recognition on the part of the admissions representative to delve into significant background issues so as to insure success. If one is homeless, just coming out of incarceration, just lost a job with little or no savings, this may not be the time for both school and student alike.
