Renewal

So many adults I talk with express an interest in coming back to school but have several hesitations or second thoughts. They are afraid they aren't smart enough, won't be able to keep up or catch on to the material in class, too old, forget how to study/take notes/take tests, accommodating work schedules, fitting school responsibilities into family and work responsibilities. I'm sure the list can continue on and on. These are all valid reasons of things to think about and consider when an adult is considering returning to or beginning a higher education plan. We call these Returning Adult Students RAS.

But trust me, when a RAS walks into the classroom, most of the younger students breathe a sigh of relief. "At last, A grown up I can study with! I bet they know something!" :) The professor is always glad to see you also. They know you have chosen to be there and will work to get your money's worth from the class.

IU Kokomo offers several services and resources to assist, not only the traditional age students (18-22 yrs old) but our RAS students as well. I would highly recommend you contact IU Kokomo and let us help alleviate some of your fears about coming to our campus. The Office of Career Services even has a handout that offers all kinds of helpful tips for RAS. Just give us a call at 765-455-9301 or email to carserv@iuk.edu and we will be happy to mail one of them to you.
In the meantime, here is a list several ways to know you are a Returning Adult Student:

• You didn't graduate from high school last year
• The elementary school you attended was not outfitted with computers.
• You're the first one to arrive in class, and the last one to leave.
• You are worried you don't remember how to study.
• You're a male student and you haven't checked out the intramural teams or the gym yet.
• You're divorced and this is part of a new start.
• You have a teacher you suspect may be younger than you.
• An astonishing percent of your history course will actually be current events.
• You suspect that the girl next to you paid more for her jeans than you paid for your first car.
• You suddenly notice one day that you're asking more questions than the rest of the class combined.
• You think you're the only student in class who doesn't know what the professor is talking about.
• You're juggling home, family, and school.
• One of the reasons you'd miss class is babysitting problems.
• Everyone stares in disbelief, when you tell them you're "Just here to learn."

Source: Adapted from an article by Dale K. Reich published in The Chronicle, April 14, 1982, Vol.2, No. 7