Looking for new opportunities

There are those who say that with age comes great wisdom.

With years of experience, patience and a renewed eagerness to learn, many former students return to school looking for new opportunities.

Most adult college students that return to school 13 or more years later tend to have difficulties in some of the more basic classes, having forgotten skills that were taught in high school. Yet, as student Michael Good says, “It’s never too late!”

Returning students’ unique challenges should not stop them from graduating.

There could be many reasons why people do not finish school in a timely manner, such as starting a family early, enduring financial issues, or not having had the motivation to finish their education.

"Older folks should take a chance, they will be surprised at what will be available," said returning student Lynden Rodriguez.

What began Rodriguez’s drive to go back to school was another co-worker.

"If [my coworker] could do it, I should be able to do it too," Rodriguez said.

Right after that realization, Rodriguez began looking into the steps to registering for school. She has now been attending CSUSB for two quarters.

Rodriguez said that she likes finding out more about herself and discovering new things that she thought she didn’t like. For instance, taking a film class made her realize that she enjoys film noir.

Philosophy is another subject that has captured Rodriguez’s interest and she also enjoys the discussions with other students and attending lectures.

Going back to school helped Rodriguez find new career possibilities and she decided to pursue her interest in writing, majoring in English with a creative writing focus.

Good, another returning student, said he made a mistake in trusting retail and planning to work his way up in the business. His business went bankrupt, and he felt like he had wasted several years. It was then that Good decided to return to school.

“I’m still in retail only to pay the bills, but school is a priority,” Good said.

Currently, Good is an art history major planning to work in a gallery or museum, and is set to graduate in June.

Adult students that have experienced more life and have a better idea of what they want for themselves feel they are now utilizing their resources in finishing college and maximizing on their future potential.

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