Traditional College Students Vs Adult Learners – What Are Their Differences?
Nowadays, many adults are returning to college as non-traditional students either to finish a degree once started, but never completed, or to obtain an advanced degree for better career future. There are some differences of these adult learners that make them unique from other traditional college students. In order to understand what it takes to be a successful adult student, one must understand what comprises adult education and what makes the differences of adult learners from the traditional college students.
The adult students normally have entered workplace for years and their age is above the age of traditional college students that are at18 to 22 years old. They are re-entering college for various reasons. Since they have many years of working experience, the adult students rely on the breadth and depth of life experiences when it comes to the group discussion and project participation. In contrast, traditional college students are relying more on the textbook readings to provide examples and make points during the class discussion and project presentation.