EIU B.A.in General Studies Blog

EIU B.A. in General Studies Alumni  Monica Schaffer We asked EIU BGS students: How does the BGS program benefit the adult learner in achieving their goal of earning a degree? Here is what Monica Schaffer shared with us: The BGS program at EIU makes it possible for adult learners to return to the educational theatre in a welcoming environment that promotes growth in learning. Adult learners have many different motivations to return to college.  These motivations could be a new job, promotion, marriage or even a divorce. Another driving motivation to return is to increase or even maintain self-esteem with self-direction. Not only are there motivations, but there are roles that adult learners have in common over the traditional age learner. The characteristics that seems to represent many adult learners are being a single parent, having dependents, spouse, financially independent or just attending part-time. The curriculum that is provided through EIU is broad in the spect

Written by Dr. Carrie Johnson, Director of EIU B.A in General Studies Program   As the administrator of a degree-completion program designed for adults wishing to complete their bachelor’s degree, I repeatedly have prospective students tell me they did not finish their degree when “I should have done it.” I reply by telling them “I would not have a job without people like them and I love my job!” Let us take a moment to discuss adult learners returning to college and dispel the myth that they are doing this at the “wrong time.”   Although most of us think of a college student as being between the ages of 18-23, this is not currently accurate in the United States; the truth is that close to 40% of today’s college students are 25 and older.  What does an adult student bring into the college classroom?  Here is a short list of pros and cons I have developed from my experience: As you can see, the strengths and challenges of the typical