Adult students go back to school

By MARIA SBIHLI
Collegian Staff Writer

Marie Gillette returned to school following a divorce, 20 years after receiving her bachelor's degree. Shortly after her return, Gillette learned she had cancer. With help from a local cancer support group, she was set back for only a few months.

"I was not feeling completely fulfilled in the work I was doing," said Gillette (graduate-Spanish linguistics), who is currently working on her dissertation.

In Fall Semester 1994, 2,850 undergraduates, 24 years and older, returned to school in pursuit of a degree. Adult students often find they are challenged by busy schedules and obstacles in order to do this.

Beth Mair (senior-elementary education) said it is difficult trying to balance three jobs, two children and school.

"I call it permanent survival mode -- you do what has to be done in the immediate," she said. Mair is also minoring in women's studies.

Being a single mother and not having the financial means, Mair relied on public assistance to pursue an education.

"I really dispel stereotypes on what a person on welfare is. It doesn't mean I am not an intelligent person or a hard worker. Every A proves a point," Mair said.

The Center for Adult Learner Services offers assistance for returning adult students from one-on-one meetings to stress-management programs. Adult students also refer to the office when problems with instructors arise, such as a professor not taking into account everything going on in an adult's life, said Charlene Harrison, program director.

"Many people have ideas that certain things can only be done at certain ages. However, these adults are proving that learning can happen at different times and different stages in life," Harrison said.

The center's mission is to help adult students make the transition into college as easy as possible, she said. Many adult students come into the office with the same fears, such as how to take notes and what credits will transfer, Harrison said.

Caroline Colbert (graduate-health education) said she was worried about remembering how to take notes, study and take tests. But she said when she decided to return to school she was going to put all of her time into it.

Often times she puts the housework and family activities on hold due to school work.

"I'm glad I made the decisions I made, but they were hard," Colbert said. "I never thought I'd be back in school."