Returning to education can be a life changing experience, introducing you to new career options and a network of like minded people that can contribute to your personal development. But its important that you view it as a positive undertaking that will help you achieve your career and educational goals.

Touch base with your confidence and self esteem

Confidence and self esteem can play a major role in adult education.

It is important that you have a belief in your ability to re enter education and this belief can stem from your confidence and self esteem. You can build your confidence in small steps and by also dealing with any negative learning experiences you have had in the past. You could also reseach the topic on the internet or get a book on the subject.

 Love What You Do

Make sure you choose a subject, or course of study, that you are passionate about, or at least interested in. Many of the career guidance experts say that you are more likely to complete the programme of study successfully if you chose a career pathway that you are passionate about.

 Research The Provider

It is strongly recommended that you conduct some research on the provider of your chosen educational facility. This may mean checking their website, phoning the office to have all your questions answered, getting information posted or emailed to you and ensuring that they have some form of quality assurance. It is also a good idea to visit the premises to ensure it meets your expectations and also inquire what support mechanisms are in place to assist you through your studies.

 Brush up on your PC skills

There is no getting away from it these days; use of a PC and access to the internet is now part and parcel of mainstream education, in particular 3^rd level education. Many colleges now require course work to be presented in electronic format and expect students to conduct research and access course notes over the internet. Access to a printer may also be required. Check the above with your provider before enrolling.

 Accreditation

If you are going to spend time (and money) completing a programme of study it is strongly advised that the qualification has some form of national or international accreditation. You can find this out by asking your provider and then conducting your own research. A lot of emphasis is now placed on the National Framework of Qualifications which can be viewed on the website of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland at www.nqai.ie

 Be Realistic About The Commitment Required

A contributing factor to drop out rates in adult education can be unrealistic expectations of the commitment involved. Validated programmes of study require time, dedication, focus and application. It will also definitely mean a ‘lifestyle’ change in allocating time outside of class hours for study (and practice, if the programme requires technical skills.) So give it serious thought and be realistic about the commitment involved.

Devise A Study Plan

Undertaking a programme of study can mean major changes in the lifestyles of many adults, so it is important that you plan for it. This can be done by getting a blank piece of paper and jotting down how your time is spent throughout the various parts of the day eg, morning, afternoon, evening and weekends. You then have to make decisions  as to how you are going to change your normal habits and allocate time for studying. It is a simple but challenging exercise that can be vital in completing your studies successfully.

 Attend As Many Classes As Possible

Attending classes is vital as it helps keep you motivated, builds your confidence and keeps you up to date with course studies. This can be even more important if there are technical skills to be learned and supervised practice is required.

Many courses of study are conducted through the winter months and the easy option can be to stay in the comfort of your home if you are not in the humour of attending class.  This is when your mental attitude and your determination to succeed will need to be strong.

Expect The Unexpected

More often than not, something will crop up that can side track you from your studies. It may be some form of personal issue, or that of a loved one. Or for some reason you hit a low point during your studies. If this happens it is important that you talk to the relevant personal and seek support from those close to you. This simple strategy can help relieve some of the anxieties and stress surrounding the problem. Other factors that will help you through the process will be.

Your mental attitude and the support mechanisms of your provider. This is why it is important to enroll with a provider who has support systems in place to assist you through your studies.

 Thank you for taking the time to read this, and we do hope it provides you with some assistance and guidelines for returning to adult education. 

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5.  If you have not worn certain items in over six months – recycle

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