Whereas the phrase “faculty pupil” tends to evoke pictures of an 18- to 22-year-old who enrolls proper out of highschool, college students within the Ventura County Neighborhood Faculty District are rather more numerous.
We view this as a profit, as Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura schools serve highschool college students enrolled within the twin enrollment program to college students properly over age 50.
For the autumn 2021 semester, practically 30% of scholars had been ages 25 and above; 838 college students had been 50-plus. In keeping with the California Neighborhood Faculties Chancellor’s Workplace, 42.3% of scholars statewide had been 25 and above in 2016-17 (the newest statistic revealed).
Ventura County’s group schools perceive the challenges nontraditional, older college students face when deciding to return to high school, noting research that present it turns into harder for individuals to return to high school the longer they keep away.
College students resolve to enroll in faculty for a wide range of causes, some are a private alternative and others are out of necessity.
“Layoffs, divorce, lack of alternative for progress or promotion of their present trade, and unfulfilled profession targets are all cited as causes older individuals have chosen to return to school or enroll for the primary time, in keeping with the American Affiliation of Neighborhood Faculties (AACC),” famous an article revealed within the March 2020 difficulty of INSIGHT Into Variety.
For some, it’s to meet a long-ago promise to themselves to get a level and function an inspiration to their households.
“I by no means thought that at 64 years outdated I’d lastly obtain a objective that was lengthy overdue however completely worthwhile. I’m graduating with two affiliate of science levels and a cumulative GPA of three.91. Successful!” wrote a Ventura Faculty graduate within the faculty’s digital yearbook.
An Oxnard Faculty graduate wrote, “I started this journey within the fall of 1997 with no thought the place it will lead…I lastly completed what I began on the age of 63.”
“I’m glad I returned again to Oxnard Faculty after 38 years,” wrote one other pupil, who added till they went to a VCCCD faculty, they by no means thought they may full their schooling.
These college students are a testomony to perseverance. In addition they present how being older could be an asset within the classroom. Older college students have real-world expertise — from the office and their private lives — that they’ll share with their youthful friends, and so they are typically extra goal-oriented, targeted and dedicated to their research. Moreover, analysis has proven that folks might be able to assist sluggish cognitive ageing by way of lifelong studying.
Getting into a university classroom could be disturbing for somebody who has not been in faculty for a very long time, or who’s coming into for the primary time, so Ventura County’s group schools assist new college students acclimate and supply a spread of pupil assist providers.
College students can take lessons at our schools on-line — asynchronously — to be taught on their very own time, which will help them stability their commitments to work and elevating a household. As well as, our schools allow college students to borrow a laptop computer or Wi-Fi hotspot, making certain they’ve entry to web-based programs and associated supplies.
College students with younger kids can obtain help by way of our schools’ Youngster Growth Facilities, giving them time to deal with their lessons, whereas their kids obtain care in a secure and nurturing atmosphere.
Educational counselors present assist to nontraditional college students by serving to to create an academic plan to realize their targets. Faculty college additionally work with college students by assembly with them throughout workplace hours to reply questions on assignments.
Moreover, college students can join with campus-based tutors for extra help in understanding basic-level and extra superior topics. Psychological well being counselors present college students stress-reduction methods, amongst different providers.
Skilled and aspiring professionals can discover many inexpensive, high-quality programs, diploma and certificates choices and private enrichment lessons on the district’s schools.
We invite adults of all ages to increase their information and expertise in and out of doors the classroom. Taking a category on-line or in-person or pursuing a level could be rewarding by conserving your thoughts engaged, and it could possibly assist your profession.
Keep in mind, you’re by no means too outdated to return to high school.
Greg Gillespie, Ph.D., is the chancellor of the Ventura County Neighborhood Faculty District. For extra details about the District, go to VCCCD.edu.
