Adult Learning Styles

Since spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation, it's the perfect time to start thinking about fresh starts in your life. Are you considering heading back to school as an adult learner? Are you perhaps intimidated by the number of years that have passed since you were last a student?

The College Network (TCN) wants to help you bloom into a confident learner with our Center for Learning Empowerment (CLE). The CLE is packed with information to help TCN customers get the most out of their learning experience. It includes engaging lessons designed to lead students toward effective and efficient thinking, studying and learning. The CLE is also home to a learning styles survey, which can help you identify the different types of learning styles that work best for you. 

If you are a TCN customer, you already have access to the Center for Learning Empowerment in our online Resource Center. Log in, and check it out! Knowing and understanding how your brain organizes and digests information will maximize your chance of being a successful adult learner. Additionally, the information you can gain from the CLE will help you become a more empowered learner for the rest of your life! 

Let’s face it—most of us have been out of school quite a long time. The prospect of returning to school can be exciting, and a bit scary. Especially if the last time you were in school you sat behind a desk and are now looking at your computer, wondering how it’s all going to work.  Well, don’t worry.  We’re here to help calm your nerves, help you get started and keep you motivated as you work through your online degree program.

Once you enroll in your degree program with help from The College Network—what's next? The steps below outline what you will experience and hopefully take some of the anxiety out of what you might be feeling.  Use this as your guide and you'll be well on your way to earning your degree.

Log in to Resource Center—This is your learning portal.  You will go to the online Resource Center to find your course materials, discussion boards where you can post questions to other students, the resource library and to online chat which you can use to converse with our academic support team when you have a question.

Find out your learning style—As adults, we learn differently than we did when we were younger. It's important to know if you are an auditory learner, a tactile learner or a visual learner. Our learning style survey will help you identify your unique learning style so you can study more effectively. 

Complete your Academic Guidance Call—Our customer support team will contact you to review your learning style so you understand more completely how to be successful in your studies.  You will also work with them to develop a study plan for your program and review all aspects of the resource center.  If you have any questions about working through your degree program, they will be able to guide you. 

Set a goal for taking your first exam— Having a specific date in mind will help to keep you on track and be motivated to succeed. With self paced education, it's easy to put other things ahead of studying. We want to make sure that you stay focused on your goal of earning your degree. After you pass your first exam, schedule the rest of your exams so that you have a calendar to work from. 

 Set a weekly study schedule—With our busy lives and work schedules, it can be hard to find the time to study. If you approach your study time like you would a part-time job with a set schedule, you will be able to commit to this time and make weekly progress toward your goal.

Create your support network--Use the Resource Center to find others in your area that are working through their program.  Or ask around at work to see if any of your colleagues are also pursuing their degree. It's also a good idea to include your family and friends in your pursuit of a degree so they will support your goal.  They can be your biggest motivators! 

So are you ready to get back to school?   We offer the support you need to get started and the motivation to keep you going.  Call us today at 800-395-1014 to learn more about our degree programs and our support team. 

 

I read an interesting blog on encouraging online learners to take responsibility for their own learning. It raises the question that with all the information and resources available to someone, what is the responsibility of the learner?  

This is your degree and ultimately, it's up to you to make sure that you do the work necessary to be successful.  Here are some ideas on how you can be.  

The following are behaviors that will help an online learner be successful in their program:

• Time management
• Know your learning style
• Organization skills
• Set measurable goals
• The drive to learn
• Motivation to succeed

Think about how you can manage your time better and study more effectively.  Challenge yourself to keep your motivation strong and be organized.  

Chances are if you're an adult learner pursuing your bachelor of science in nursing degree or other professional degree, you may also be working full-time and taking care of your family.  It's difficult to juggle school, work and family.  That is why you need to concentrate on measurable goals--commit to studying for one hour each day or take an exam every three months.  You can always schedule your exam and use that as a goal to work towards.  

You can be successful.  But you have to take responsibility for earning your degree.  The College Network can supply the resources you need to make it happen, but we can't supply the motivation and drive to achieve your goal of a degree.  Call us today at 800-634-1443 if you need to review your study plan or would like to schedule your next exam.  

For college students and most high school students across the nation, May is a month of  stress and intense studying; it's the month of the infamous final examination. Questia, an online research tool for students, has recently released a series of tips to help prepare those studying for their final examinations. The list can be found here: http://www.educationnews.org/higher-education/questia-gives-advice-to-make-finals-a-breeze/. 

For those taking exams with The College Network, it is invaluable to plan ahead, ask plenty of questions, and to take your time. TCN understands these important aspects of preparing for examinations, so that is why we have an entire department devoted to providing academic support - that knows how to identify different learning styles and helps working adults on their way to earning advanced degrees. Research The College Network to learn more about how you can advance your education.

Did you know that as an adult learner, the way you learn is completely different from how it was when you were younger?  If you are like me, you never thought about it before--but it makes sense. When you are in grade school, you are led by the adults around you, will most likely accept information without questioning it and are more subject-oriented.

Dr. Malcolm Knowles developed the concept of andragogy to describe adult learning styles specific to adults.  Adults are more results oriented, self-directed and usually prefer to try out new information before accepting it. They also seek out education that relates or applies specifically to their needs--that is timely and appropriate for their current lives.

At The College Network, we help adult learners find what educational needs they have and help them reach their goals by earning an online degree from leading universities. But, you as the adult learner have to take ownership of your program and know that it is going to be your responsibility to move through your program.  Self-paced and self-directed means that we can be here when you need motivation, need help with a module or have a question about your degree; but you have to be the one that is studying. 

And we also know that as an adult learner, you most likely have a job where you work 35 or more hours a week and a family. We understand that it is going to be a big commitment to earn your degree.  But, you can do it. We have the tools that you need to be successful, including a learning styles assessment that will further help you know the best way for you to understand material as you study.

So, become an adult learner!  Call us at 800-39-LEARN. 

 

A big concern for adults looking into self-paced education and training is the lack of support.  But, there's no need to worry when you choose distance learning through The College Network.

Every customer of The College Network receives personal academic support throughout our portion of the program. The College Network support is only a phone call, email, or even an online chat away whenever you need help in your studies.

The process starts with our "learning style survey" where you will find out more about your own, personal learning style.  The College Network reviews your answers and an Academic Advisor will work with you to create a study plan and develop goals in your program.

As a customer, you will also have access to study tips, motivation techniques, testing information, customer success stories, and more on our customer support web site.

Just because you choose an online or distance learning program doesn't mean you have to be alone.  Contact The College Network online for more information.

Studying for exams and reading through the material can seem like an overwhelming task. And it can be a little frustrating when you find yourself stuck. We here at The College Network believe you can overcome the obstacles that get in your way, so we want to share these study tips to help you do just that.

“Don’t try to boil the ocean”

Trying to memorize all the reading material at once won’t do you any good. It will be too much information for you to remember come test day. By trying to cram all the text into your head at once, you are actually taking steps backwards in preparing for the test. Instead, tackle the material a little bit at a time. Work on chunks of the reading each day, making sure you get all the main points before moving onto the next part of the reading. The College Network's self-paced Comprehensive Learning Modules™ allow you to work your way through the material as quickly or as slowly as you like!

Find a style that works for you.

Just like everyone’s interests and personalities are different, so are their study habits. The trick is to find a style that fits your lifestyle and allows you to have success with your education. Do you do better studying throughout the day in little bursts? Or do you seem to remember the information better when you study at one certain time in the day, like after work? Can you listen to music or do you need complete silence? Is it better for you to read everything online, or do you prefer to print out your materials? All of these questions can help you put together a study system that benefits you the most. One person’s “study trick” may not work for another. So, find a way that feels comfortable for you, and stay faithful to it.

Limit distractions.

Most adult learners have jam packed schedules, so it’s understandable that you might be tempted to study and do something else at the same time. Multi-tasking is important, but when it comes to your studies, it is more important that you retain the information. It is ok to have music playing or perhaps the TV on low in the background, but getting rid of distractions while you read or do assignments will help you get out of your study time. Keep work matters separate. Arrange for someone to keep an eye on the kids for a little while. Find a place that is quiet and free of distractions. The more focused you are on your schoolwork, the more prepared you’ll feel come exam time.

Find a way to relate to the material.

You can do all the reading and memorizing in the world, but if you don’t find a way to remember all the information, it won’t do you any good. It is important that you find a way to relate to the material so you won’t have trouble remembering and applying it later. As you read through the main points of the chapters, find a way to link the ideas to something you can understand. Maybe writing out the definitions or creating mnemonic devices are methods that work best for you. If you have to memorize a list or a step by step process, make it into a story or a song, so you can easily have it in the back of your mind when you sit down to take the test.

Remember, every little bit counts.

Adult learners don’t have tons of time on their hands, but don’t let that discourage you from studying. Even if you have ten minutes to spare, that is enough to review some chapter material or catch up on some reading. Find time at lunch, on the bus, or waiting in line at the store to go over information. Even five minutes here and there will help in the long run. Just because you don’t have huge chunks of time to devote to studying, doesn’t mean that you should skip studying all together. Every little moment of learning counts in the long run!

Don’t get discouraged.

You didn’t get the exam score you wanted. You are still struggling with a piece of the lesson. You can’t find time to memorize definitions. It can be frustrating. But all of those roadblocks are not good enough reasons to give up. A lot of life changes are successful merely because the people making those changes believe they can do it. Don’t get down if you hit a snag. Just look past it to the end of that road…your degree! The more you believe in yourself, the faster you’ll get right back into your study schedule to do better next time! And remember, the Academic Support Team is there to help when you need them.

Find a buddy and keep each other motivated.

Think of your study buddy like a gym buddy. If one of you starts to lose steam or feels unmotivated, the other one can be there to pick them right back up. It also helps to have someone to go over the material with, as well as someone to test each other on the subject. The discussion boards are the perfect opportunity for you to meet other adult learners and even give and receive advice from each other. Having someone who is going through the same experience you are is a huge advantage. Not only do you have someone to talk to if you get frustrated, but having someone else reading the same information can give you a fresh perspective on the ideas presented. Also, finding a buddy who might be interested in the program could EARN you money! Click HERE for more information.

Do not be afraid to ask for help.

Earning your degree does not have to be a solo effort. The College Network has a team of advisors and specialists who are standing by to help in case you get stuck during your studies. (Live Chat, Email, Phone). We are accessible in more ways than one so you never have to feel alone during your educational journey.

Make yourself a study area.

The area where you study should be a comfortable, but quiet place. It can be your bedroom, a corner tucked away from the rest of the library, or even a favorite coffee place. Make sure there is plenty of light in your study area. Your area should be a place you look forward to going, and not a place you dread. If you make a comfortable and productive environment for yourself to study, you’ll find you’ll be able to get more work done.

The most important thing about keeping up with your studies is to remember to relax and believe in yourself! Have confidence in your abilities and the rest will fall into place.