The Benefits of Completing College at Any Age of Life

One thing that most people know is that furthering one's education is highly important in life. A college degree can dictate a lot of things such as income, job position, or even fulfilling a passion. Times have greatly changed since being able to do so without a college degree. But, college itself can be very overwhelming and requires dedication and commitment from a person. When a person chooses to go to college is a factor in regards to commitment and determination to obtain their degree. People of all ages attend college and for many different reasons. This is why going to college immediately after high school and later on in life can both equally benefit and hinder a person.

Whether someone is young or old one of the main attributes to college success is being goal-oriented. There is a difference that can be seen though when a person goes to college immediately versus later on in life. A person fresh out of high school has a higher sense of enthusiasm for school, habits were formed when attending high school in regards to studying and homework. A person that chooses to attend later on can become easily frustrated with the amount of information being taught and how easily what was once known was forgotten in regards to general subjects such as Math, History and English.

Also an older person will be more apprehensive to completing the required time frame in obtaining a degree but, as most know from personal experience hard work will pay off. Younger students look at the end result after years of hard work and see just the glitz and glam of a career which when reality sets in can prove to be entirely different from what was pictured. Lastly, in regards to goals an older person will have the opportunity to contemplate a career choice that will fit for them but also that they have found a passion in and will take a slower, steadier pace at completing things. Whereas, some younger college students enter college and go into an indecisive phase and are not too sure what fits them. This plays into part because a younger person will have had less life experience to be able to determine what ultimately a good fit is for them.

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Another difference between these two college experiences is the level of accountability that is held up to both parties. Majority of people choosing to go to college later on in life are not so keen on obtaining enormous amounts of debt. Student loans are not as appealing to someone who is 30 or 40 as they may seem to someone who is 18 or 19. At a younger age a person doesn't tend to realize the impact loans may have on finances later on in life. For a lot of students out of high school they have the opportunity to go to school on a scholarship which is a big attribute to holding them accountable.

Most scholarships require a high enough GPA that work has to be done on their part in order to maintain the scholarship. Parents can play another big factor into accountability as well when it comes to younger students. Most parents take on a lot of responsibility for a younger student to allow them the opportunity to focus on school alone. But not allowing this young adult to actually be independent versus just feeling like they are because they don't live at home any longer can actually hinder a person. But, someone who has been independent for a time prior to attending school they are going to be more apt to want to finish the task at hand and not delay things any longer.

That older person most likely doesn't have mom or dad behind them footing the expenses of life. Even though an adult may be a bit more accountable when it comes to finances things may be a little different in other areas. When it comes to another adult constructively criticizing or grading work done by them most adults don't respond well. Especially in regards to little things like grammar and mechanics old habits are hard to break.

Lastly a big interference when attending college both out of high school and later on in life is distractions. Distractions are something that everyone in life experiences but for a person trying to actively attend college and succeed it can be the difference in actually grasping what is being taught and sliding by. For a person who is fresh out of high school a common trend after leaving there parents' house is to make a name for themselves. The concern is more in proving to others and themselves they are no longer little kids and are officially independent adults rather than getting an education and doing the right thing. It is very easy for someone who has lived life outside of high school and may be a little more comfortable with themselves to not give importance to things like this.

For an older person it becomes less about other's opinions and more about their personal opinion of themselves. Outside distractions also play a part as well in both generations. An eighteen or nineteen year old fresh out of high school is typically looking to enjoy life on their on their own. They want to have fun, party, meet new people, and make lasting memories to look back on. That lifestyle can be very time consuming and is a conflict when it comes to staying in at night to study when friends are out enjoying activities. Along the same lines though an older college student may have formed a family in which a significant other and possibly children exist. Being able to juggle time with loved ones and homework can be a bit tedious and not always work out in their favor.

A person gets used to using their free time to enjoy family activities versus cramming for a test or writing a paper for class. Along with family and friends, there are also jobs or financial responsibilities to think of which can be the most time consuming depending on the circumstances. Being able to balance a job that is necessary to cover the bills right now and a college degree that will help to cover the bills in the future can be difficult for someone attending college later in life. Younger students though are used to having to prioritize that time for school in daily living. They still maintain knowledge that some classes require more time and research than others and that balancing act can come more natural to them. The number of distractions can go on for both sides because no matter what the age there is always a need to prioritize what is important.

Looking back whether a person is young or old things can always be done differently in life especially with something as important as an education. There are benefits as well as hindrances to attending college at any age in life. The real difference comes from the individual and what they are looking to obtain out of the process. A college degree can be obtained by anyone but a college education can only be done by someone willing to learn. Many people have started college and not finished or never started because they were intimidated but it has been proven age is nothing except a number. One benefit that any person despite age can receive is that of completing college.

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