Selecting a continuing education class

Many adults do classes for hobbies, though the savage cuts that many education authorities have made to their adult education budgets have seen these leisure classes often being those suffering the most cuts, but there are a lot of adults who do classes because they are needing adult education suitable to their career needs, or indeed other responsibilities such as being a carer, supporting a family member with an illness or special need. In this type of education, adults often have a goal, the study is of some specific benefit.

Be sure that the location of your chosen class is right for you, think about the practicalities of what time it begins and ends. In the winter, especially it is hard for me to get out due to dark nights and icy pavements affecting my health issues and mobility, but there are also considerations of time and other practicalities relating to study from home, do you have the time and a suitable environment in which to study at home?  Believe me , it is not as easy as it may look !!! 

You ned to think about how you will get to the classes in the time you must do so, leaving work at 5pm for a class that starts at 7pm may sound good, but are you going to need to go home and see to commitments there first? what is the traffic like at the time an in the area where you will be travelling?   What time did you leave home and start work, I have been at work in a nursery at 8am and then tried to do a class after work and believe me it is far from easy.

What are the procedures to be followed if for any reason you must miss a class, are you allowed to make it up, what happens if you cannot for any reason submit an assignment on time? What happens if for any reason e.g. commitments at home I must leave early or arrive late?

Be sure that you are ready to take the class, Identify the things you need to be prepared to do the course, especially if you are paying. If you do not have the basic background for the subject being taught, a course that sounds great can end up being a frustrating ordeal. Rather like ever expecting me to get a degree in maths …highly unlikely no matter how many courses I might take!!!

Identify all your required materials and their costs. Most classes give you a list of what books and equipment are needed such as calculators, textbooks, art equipment etc.  The prices of textbooks are rising all the time, see if you can obtain second hand copies if they are up to date for your syllabus. 

You may also need materials such as access to a personal computer of you do not already have it, or other equipment, certain types of paper or portfolios.

Find out the availability of your tutor for meeting with you and responding to questions and days and times of any tutorials and note your tutors contact details such as phone number and email address if you are given them

Be sure that the class you are signing up for is what you need or want. The course outline should describe the subjects covered.

You may attend a course for many reasons: it is required by your job, you are taking it to further your career prospects, or to increase your knowledge of something that interests you or would be beneficial to know more about, to network, meet up with others in your field of business such as a business start-up course or to have a good time out with friends enjoying a shared hobby and to get out of the house for a bit. Whatever the reason, make sure you are getting what you need from the course, especially if you are paying!!!

Find out what you get at the end of the course, i.e. what if any kind of certificate or diploma and be sure to know how you can use whatever you get, it could mean something you can place on your resume that you have got a qualification, or a diploma to display proudly on your wall or letters after your name, but it should be something to make you happy and reflect your efforts.

Being an adult learner is inspiring and a challenge, it can make you feel good but can also have serious negative effects on a person. Frustration can occur if there is lack of convenience and /or a lot of pressure from the course and other commitments, and in such circumstances, many adult learners have to give up their course. Boredom is a risk if the class does not seem to be at your level. So be sure get all the information you can about a class you may be interested in and be sure it is the right course for you.

Valerie Hedges