Today’s nontraditional students: Adults who are back in school
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Dec. 12, 2013
Think you’re too old to get a postsecondary education? Think again. … Getting a postsecondary education is no longer only for recent high school graduates. A college education can be beneficial at 18, 24, 35, 50 or beyond. …
Michael Washington, 52, is a busy man. He works three or four nights a week at C.R. Bard, a medical technologies company. He has a wife and three children. He takes classes at Georgia Perimeter College’s Newton Campus, where he also participates in the college's honors program and student government. …
“I have a good job, but my wife just got her master’s degree, and my daughter just graduated from Georgia State (University). Both are in accounting, and I thought, ‘If they can do it, so can I,’” he said. …
He hopes to graduate from Georgia Perimeter College this summer and plans to enroll at Georgia State, Georgia Tech or the University of Georgia to earn a bachelor’s degree in business/accounting.
“It’s been a challenge. I’m working hard and always studying,” Washington said. “English was always my worst subject. It takes me forever to write a paper, but I was proud to get a B in that course.”
When he first enrolled, Washington expected most of his classmates to be recent high school graduates, but he has found more nontraditional students than he had anticipated. … Despite all the demands on his time, Washington carries a 3.9 GPA and is looking ahead.
“My goal is to get my bachelor’s degree and my employer has said they’ll find something for me when I do,” he said. “I’ll keep working as hard as I can. The education is so valuable and it makes me feel good.”