Resources for Adult Learners
Posted: October 30, 2024 | Author: Madelyn Bushman | Read Time: 4 minutes
If you are over the age of 25 and considering returning to school to obtain a college degree, chances are that you want tips for taking exams, help with study habits, and assistance with scholarship options. Does this ring true to you?
A recent study of 4,000 adult learners by higher education consultancy Ruffalo Noel Levits revealed the group's top priorities and concerns for going to college.
Adult Learner Top 10 Priorities
- 65% would like instruction on how to take college exams
- 63% receive help to improve study habits
- 58% talk with someone about getting a scholarship
- 57% help selecting an educational plan to get a good job
- 56% talk about qualifications needed for certain occupations
- 54% receive individual help to improve math skills
- 47% would like to meet new friends at an informal gathering
- 45% receive help on improving writing skills
- 42% talk with someone about salaries and future for occupation
- 41% help selecting an occupation suited to their interests
Adult learners may be studying online or on campus. Here are resources that can assist these students in their academic goals, no matter how they are attending.
Help to Improve Test-Taking Skills
SUU’s Tutoring Center helps students build test-taking skills and strategies by providing resources and academic coaching from tutors. Some of the Tutoring Center resources that are designed specifically to help with test-taking are tips for short answer exams, tips for multiple choice exams, analyzing returned tests, tips for true-false exams, and more.
The Tutoring Center offers online and in-person appointments that you can schedule through their web page.
Help to Improve Study Habits
SUU’s Tutoring Center also provides academic coaching to sharpen students' study skills. Tutors bring experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to studying and have appointments for students designed to improve their study habits. Schedule an online or in-person appointment through their web page.
Assistance with Financial Aid
SUU’s Financial Aid Office has counselors who will help you through the process of applying for scholarships and federal aid. You can do this by setting up an appointment with one of the counselors to ask any questions you may have about financial aid and scholarships, and see what you may qualify for. They will do their best to help you and point you in the right direction.
Find your Financial Aid Counselor on the office’s Contact Us web page, and schedule an appointment using their Calendly link.
Career Guidance
SUU’s Career Center offers services to help SUU students learn about qualifications they may need for certain occupations. The Career Center can help improve job search skills, practice interviewing, and find employment opportunities as well. Students can schedule appointments to discuss career opportunities and more.
In addition to in-person service, the Career Center offers remote appointments via Zoom or phone call. Schedule an appointment through their Career Center web page.
The Career Center also hosts a Career Exploration Workshop to help you explore different occupations based on your interests. SUU also offers an Exploratory Studies course (SUU 1020) that is designed to help students find a major and/or occupation that interests them. We also suggest taking general education or introductory courses to explore possible career interests.
Students can also schedule a Career Assessment Appointment, which is designed to help students better understand their interests and how they align with majors and careers.
Help Improving Math Skills
SUU’s Tutoring Center can help students with math too! Tutors can help to bridge learning gaps in any subject, and naturally, math is one that many students lack confidence in. Tutors will help improve their skills, help them study for upcoming exams, or help answer questions on the current material they are learning in classes.
Schedule an online or in-person appointment through their web page.
Tips for Building Relationships
As an adult learner, and potentially an online student, it can be a bit more difficult to build relationships with your peers. But don’t let that discourage you! There are different ways you can meet new people during your educational journey.
- Participate in online discussions - online discussions are structured for students to interact and engage with each other. By collaborating with peers back and forth, it can help create personal connections through the screen.
- Connect with peers via social media - as almost everyone is on social media, online students should utilize social media platforms in order to connect with peers. SUU Online also has an SUU Online Community Group on Facebook where online students can join and connect with others.
- Reach out to people in your classes and form study groups - This can be a great way to create relationships with fellow students and empower one another to succeed. You can use video conferencing tools like Google Meet or Zoom to facilitate study groups.
- If you are on campus, attend events hosted by Non-Traditional Student Services. These events are tailored to your needs as an adult learner, are mindful of various family situations, and are a great opportunity to meet other students.
Help Improving Writing Skills
SUU has a Writing Center that provides feedback and helps students improve their writing skills. In addition to in-person service, students can schedule appointments with a tutor via a virtual message feature or via Zoom.
Schedule an appointment through the Writing Center Student Appointments web page.
Remember that you can always reach out for support! Contact SUU’s Online Outreach Team and SUU’s Non-Traditional Student Services Office for more information.
Tags: FacStaff Campus Resources Prospective Students Academic SUU Online
