It's never too late to go back to school. Empty nesters have found that continuing their education offers many benefits and now even senior citizens are jumping on the educational bandwagon. You need only to visit any college campus across the nation to find a large segment of the student body includes older adults.
Many adults feel continuing their education is necessary for staying competitive in today’s job market and enhancing their work skills at school helps them remain viable candidates. Engaging in college coursework and class participation helps senior citizens stay connected and mentally active. Younger students, teachers and professors welcome the unique perspective of seniors in their classrooms.
Many colleges and universities encourage seniors to sign up for classes by offering incentives such as free tuition when there is space available in classrooms. Other educational institutions have organized short term Senior Citizen Classes in Assisted Living Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities. There are even specialized distance courses for seniors who are bed ridden or handicapped. Colleges can organize classroom sessions through video conferencing and online resources so seniors can learn while in the comfort of their own home.
Many seniors are inspired by stories of their peers going back to school and quickly follow suit. In Australia, 94-year-old great, great grandmother Phyllis Turner returned to the classroom at the age of 70 to earn a master’s degree in medical science. Many who know her, say she may even pursue a Ph.D! Seniors are getting more out of life than ever before and fulfilling life long dreams by attending college. 800Seniors hopes to instill this attitude and inspire seniors never to stop learning. This page is designed as a platform to help them find out about the latest educational programs available.
Seniors Heading Back To The Classroom
800Seniors has compiled some useful tips for seniors heading back to school. As of now, 21 states in the nation are offering free tuition programs to the elderly. The criteria for enrollment and financial arrangements vary from institution to institution. The colleges and universities who offer free tuition to seniors require them to pay for their course material and other minor fees. Some even give credit to seniors for the courses completed.
If the plan is to attend classes on campus, it would be a good idea to check out the layout of the school first. The best way for adult students to get an idea of the school is to schedule a tour. Most colleges will provide accommodations for prospective students who might have mobility issues. This could mean the use of elevators to avoid stairs, handicap ramps or on-campus bus transportation to avoid walking. Some professors may offer their lectures in audio format so seniors can listen to them again at a later time. This is useful for seniors with hearing disabilities so they can adjust the volume to a comfortable level of hearing.
Until accustomed to the curriculum and study routine, seniors can take advantage of study groups, learning centers and any available tutoring sessions. It would be a good idea to stay in regular touch with the professor to find out how things are progressing. Professors often give out additional helpful resources and information during after class discussions or one-on-one student teacher meetings. Community colleges are perhaps the ideal setting for seniors going back to school. Community college campuses are smaller, the courses are less expensive, and the student to teacher ratio is more reasonable. The course curriculums for community colleges are often less rigorous when compared to universities. Most community colleges offer evening classes so that senior citizens who are still working have the opportunity to attend.
Some seniors have never considered the idea of attending classes and enhancing their educational background because of the costs involved. Many elderly citizens depend on a fixed income to support their health care and lifestyle in an Assisted Living facility. What many seniors aren’t aware of is that educational institutions offer a considerable amount of discounts and fee waivers so that continued education is more affordable and obtainable. There are also many scholarships available for senior citizens who want to attend college. Education provides seniors an opportunity to get out in the world, socialize and retain their cognitive skills through learning.
