It is a common myth that education is just for children and young adults. The reality is that adult learners are here to stay. They are even outperforming younger students. It doesn’t matter if they are returning to school, getting a certification or taking online classes, adult students bring plenty to the classroom setting. They have what young students lack: Experience, Motivation and Focus. Unlike younger students, adult learners return to school for a purpose. They are not interested in checking all the boxes. They want to learn to fulfill their goals as quickly as possible, without dealing with pesky, unrelated electives. Adult learners also bring more diversity to the classroom. They engage with the material more. They are not afraid to ask the right questions. Adult learners are equipped with practical knowledge. They come from diverse backgrounds including construction and military service. This allows them to reconnect theory to real life. They focus on the practical aspect of the skill they are trying to acquire. This real-world experience allows them to manage their time better. Time management skills come naturally to adult students. They regularly juggle both job and family. These learners are used to showing up on time. They also complete their assignments on their due date. Adult learners know how to make the most of every second of their time. When you are investing your time and money, it becomes easy to stay motivated. Adult learners are not in school because they were pressured into it. They returned to school out of their own free will. This often translates to better attendance, participation and academic success. It is a common stereotype that adult learners are computer illiterate. Most adult students prefer digital learning. This gives them the freedom to take their classes when it is most convenient. This allows them to balance their education with their family. The bottom line is that today’s adult students are wiser, and smarter than ever. It is often said that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Neuroscience disagrees with that statement. Modern research shows that learning changes the brain physically, at every stage of your life. Whether you are 30 or 100, picking up a new skill strengthens your mind in amazing ways. Neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to adapt and grow. When the brain learns a new skill, it creates new neural pathways, and it strengthens the old ones. Think of it like giving your brain a much-needed workout. Even if you are naturally lazy, your human brain is not. Brains love to learn. Adult education is the best way to give your brain the fuel it craves. If you are struggling to learn something new, it might feel frustrating. However, this is a sign of growth. When you struggle to learn, you are forcing your brain to adapt, to grow. Adult learners often experience improved memory, focus and mental clarity. Studies show that lifelong learning lowers the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia. It doesn’t matter why you are returning to school. Every new skill that you learn helps your brain stay young and smart. Q: What is neuroplasticity? A: Neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to rewire and reorganize itself. This is done by forming new neural patterns and connections. IT is triggered when you learn something new, and you put that new skill into practice. Q: Does neuroplasticity only happen in children? A: No! Adult brains can be flexible too. They also have neuroplasticity. It may slow down with age, but the brain never stops learning and adapting. Q: Is it true that “use it or lose it” applies to the brain? A: Yes, indeed. Like muscles, the brain needs regular stimulation or exercise. When you stop learning, the brain grows weaker overtime. Switch hands. Use your mouse or brush your hair with your nondominant hand. Do a logic puzzle or a brain teaser for 5 minutes. Let’s get those neurons working. Name 5 Game. Name 5 of each type of something. Example: Banana, Apple, Orange, Mango and Grapefruit. Learn a new word. Get that dusty dictionary out of the attic and learn 1 random word per day. Today’s new word is Sagacious: Having or showing keen mental discernment, good judgment, and wisdom. The sagacious adult was keen on returning to school to acquire new culinary skills.

There comes a time when you feel stagnant in your job. When that feeling comes, that is when you know that you are ready to go back to school. However, taking this necessary step is difficult. You have family and work to consider. How can you make time for your education when you have so many responsibilities? Let me give you 5 pro tips on how to balance your work, your family and your education. You do not need to give up one or the other. There is enough time in the day to get everything done, but only if you strategize correctly. It is tempting to leave everything to chance. To take things as they come. This is a beginner’s mistake. Create a day planner. Set aside time to complete designated tasks. For example, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. I am going to study. This is your study time. The only thing you are allowed to do is study. If you try to multitask, you are just going to leave everything half-baked. Set aside time to study, and most importantly, set aside time for you to fulfill your social responsibilities to your family. That way you are not distracted during the time you are supposed to be studying. Do note forget that Tello App exist. If it is easier for you, use a paper calendar that you can color code with markers. Move things around, depending on the time available. And most importantly, schedule a bit of idle time for yourself. Resting is just as important as studying. When you rest, you allow yourself to decompress and digest all the information you have learned. Studying is not just about you acquire a new skill. IT is also about how this new skill can benefit the family unit. It is important that your family understands that you are making this sacrifice for them. You are also setting an important example for your children to follow. Humans are not dogs. It is never too late for us to learn a new trick. Let your family, friends and employers know that you are going back to school. Some employers might give you flexible hours for exams. You never know, until, you ask. Speaking of asking, don’t forget to ask your older teenagers to share a bit of your workload. Do not be afraid to rely on them. Giving them more responsibilities is all about growing up. Make them understand that this change will benefit the family unit. When you succeed, they will succeed. Bonus Tip: Make friends with your classmates. A study group can go a long way. Sometimes a classmate can offer you a different perspective on the class material, that can help you in the long run. Society often pressures US into saying Yes to everything. We want to be people pleasers. So, it is important to learn when to say NO. Saying No doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you a responsible person. Right now, you are studying. So, NO! You do not have time to binge watch the latest Netflix TV show. Most shows and movies don’t go anywhere; you can watch everything after you finish your Homework. Or just watch one episode per day. It is also important to say No to your boss. It can be a frightening experience. I know. Your boss holds the key to your financial livelihood, but hopefully he is not a monster. If he is a good person, make him understand why you are not able to take on that extra work shift. The human mind is a flexible machine. It doesn’t require 4 hours of uninterrupted studying to learn new information. If you happen to have some free time, during your lunch break, take those 10 minutes to look at your cue cards. You can also listen to your lessons on your drive to work. Make an audio file of your notes, for you to listen to it, when your hands are too busy driving, folding the laundry, cooking or cleaning. These mini study sessions can help you avoid late night cram sessions. Bonus tip: We all need our beauty sleep. When we sleep, the brain makes sense of all the information you have accumulated throughout the day. You will not learn the information well, if you neglect your sleep. It is important to not stress when things become difficult.  If you test doesn’t go well, do not stress. There will be others. Trial and error are how we learn as individuals. It is important that you make peace with the errors that you make along the way. We are only humans, after all. We are not perfect, and that is alright. As long as you give it your best shot, you can feel proud of your success, without hyper focusing on the errors you made along the way. When you do well, celebrate. When you do bad, learn from your mistake. Even a bad grade, can be a learning experience. Success is marked by perseverance, not by perfection. Balancing work, family and school are not easy, but not impossible. With the help or your family and friends, everything is possible. Do not be afraid to go back to school. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Do not be afraid to say NO. Do not be afraid to change your life. Do not be afraid to Succeed!! We hope to see you soon at FEI. Our doors are always open to new students. When you are ready to learn, we are ready to teach you. [caption id="attachment_1154" align="alignnone" width="800"] The delicate tightrope of social responsibilities.[/caption]