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Surviving Night School
by Roberta Greenwood

I’d never missed one of her soccer games; in fact, I’d rarely missed any of her school events, sporting events, sleepovers or parties. Our youngest daughter knew I was ever-present in her life — that is, until I started evening classes offered by the University of Redlands. At the age of 42, I decided to obtain my undergraduate degree. It looked easy on paper; I would take one course a month, meeting two nights a week and one weekend per month. I would be studying with a “cohort” — a group of 23 adult learners like myself. We all worked full-time, raised families, invested time in various hobbies, and wanted to achieve that elusive degree.

When we graduated five years later, only eight of our original group “walked.”

Every person in my cohort had a story. Vickie had been a stay-at-home mom for many years; with her kids in high school, she wanted to better understand the curriculum they studied. Antoinette wanted to be promoted, and her company required a degree to be considered. I wanted to complete what had been an interrupted dream of mine — to obtain a college degree as my brother had done before me. Lisa Kranseler, executive director of the Washington State Jewish Historical Society, tells her story with a bit of a laugh — and a long sigh. Stopped in traffic on the 520 bridge on the way to a swim meet, with kids in the backseat, she made a decision that would change the trajectory of her life in ways she never imagined. “I decided it was time for me,” Kranseler laughs. “My kids and family believed I existed for them — their needs were the only needs that mattered. I wanted to engage my creative mind, branch out in a new field. Going back to school seemed to be the way to begin that dream. Little did I know how hard I’d work to realize that goal!”

What drives women to return to college? Alison Koop, public relations manager of University of Washington Educational Outreach, explains that the majority of students taking courses through UW programs are working adults who are looking to change careers, get ahead in their current field or perhaps, simply follow their passion. Kranseler says she wanted to do something new and exciting. “I’ve always been a professional; I’m a CPA with a master’s in taxation,” she states. “But the UW Certificate program in museum studies captured my imagination — I wanted to see if I could find a way to meld my background in accounting and business with a creative endeavor.”

Kranseler isn’t alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the greatest percentage rise in college attendance is among women 30 and over; women make up nearly one-third of all students enrolled in the country’s MBA programs. With more than 2.3 million women enrolled in continuing education programs, community colleges and universities, schools are responding by changing the way they attract and retain students. Colleges are going out of their way to recruit non-traditional students, and women are looking for ways to juggle home, work, health and learning. Flexible class schedules, part-time programs, night programs, child care, and women’s support groups are now widely offered as incentives to women seeking to continue their education.

U.S Department of Health statistics indicate women now live longer than at any other time in history and are much more likely to live alone in their later years. Financial independence is often a motivating factor for women who return to school — but women also gather on campuses, classrooms and even coffee shops seeking ways to network and support each other as they investigate educational possibilities. Leslye Bergan, lead teacher in infant care at the Adelle Maxwell Child Development Center, attends Renton Technical College and is completing a two-year degree program in early childhood education. “It’s amazing how much has changed over the years in early childhood development,” Bergan explains. “I learn so much from the other students in my class. I can actually go back to work and use some of the techniques we discuss on a real-time basis. It’s nice to have other students to bounce ideas around with.”

Going back to school might be considered a little intimidating. Kranseler worried that she wouldn’t be a good fit with her museum studies classmates, most of whom had backgrounds in art, history and anthropology. Instead, she found that her education and professional achievements added diversity and a different perspective to the course. She discovered what many returning students realize — due to the fact that they’ve raised families, served in the military, worked and, in many cases, established careers — that each adult learner had something unique to bring to class. Kranseler still keeps in contact with many of her former classmates and has established a strong network of business associates as well.

So, what are some of the challenges that a returning student might expect? How does a woman begin to manage the complexities of returning to school? Kranseler and Bergan both say it begins with the family. Schedules must be renegotiated, tasks reassigned. Families are called on to make adjustments to daily routines, ranging from carpools, child care, shopping and cooking to financial considerations. “I would have class all day on Saturday and my daughter would question me — ‘But how will we get where we need to go? Is this a good time for you to go back to school — why can’t you wait?’” sighs Kranseler. “But I knew that for women, there’s never a good time.”

These periods of adjustment for families can be short-lived in the case of a certificate program, or span several years for those enrolled in an undergraduate or MBA program. Flexible hours help, but even then, families can expect to see a lot less of mom as she searches for creative ways to manage home, work and school. Both Kranseler and Bergan found it imperative to enlist the support of their husbands when they considered going back to school. “It just meant he had to step up and do more for the family,” says Kranseler. “His increased participation was the only way things were going to work.”

Returning students often find that school cuts into time once reserved for partners and children — and sometimes the financial obligations of school can add to the stress. Advisors at the Association for Nontraditional Students of Higher Education (ANTSHE) recommend joint meetings with student advisors so that partners and family members can fully grasp the commitment a return to education can mean. For single parents, those commitments can be even more difficult. Many local institutions have advisors in place to counsel students, and several offer women’s support groups.

Time management is a universal area of concern as most women returning to school balance several other adult responsibilities in addition to their class work. “It’s difficult at times,” admits Bergan. “I get tired and still I have a paper to write, pages to read. It’s not like I can sleep in; I have to get up and go to work, too.” Flexible schedules, weekend courses and online programs can help with these time management issues, but ultimately something gives. “I learned to let go,” says Kranseler. “I gave up some of the worry about the perfect house, the perfect anything. I enlisted help from friends and family whenever I could.”

Once family commitments have been settled, these five steps can make the decision to go back to school a little easier for everyone:

1 - DETERMINE WHAT YOU WANT.
Bergan knew she wanted to update her current knowledge and bring new techniques to her field. Kranseler wanted to use her background in accounting and taxation in a new, creative way. Selecting the appropriate institution and program can be a significant issue for most women. Again, a little work up front can help in making the correct decision for each individual. Most important, suggests Koop, is determining what type of education you want to pursue.

Traditional day classes now compete with night courses, part-time programs utilizing weekend classes and distance learning. “Many continuing education programs now offer a ‘blended’ schedule,” Koop explains. “Classes can be offered during evening hours, on weekends, online — or a combination of all three. Flexibility is important to our adult women students.” Know your long-term goals and spend some time considering why you want to continue your education before you start.

2 - INVESTIGATE WAYS TO FINANCE YOUR EDUCATION.
If you are currently employed, ask if your company offers tuition aid. Many companies will reimburse for all or part of your expenses, especially if your program will bring new, improved skills to your current position. Tuition assistance, however, is often connected with your GPA — strong study skills are imperative to success. It never hurts to brush up on basic English and math skills, and computer skills are essential. Start with your human resource team and ask for any support available.

Some companies will provide more flexible working schedules while others offer on-site learning accommodations. Grants and financial aid from the government are also available and many institutions have counselors to help students with that process. Additionally, there are hundreds of scholarships for women seeking to return to school — free Internet search engines include www.schoarships.com and www.collegeboard.com

3 - DO SOME HOMEWORK BEFORE CLASS BEGINS.
Kranseler says she spent considerable time reading and researching which program would suit her best. “Spend time selecting your program,” she advises. “Look through catalogs, talk to people, do some research. I examined each course and asked these three questions: Could I do this? How does my background support this? How will I use it?” Counselors advise potential students to gather information about educational requirements, current trends, and potential growth prospects in employment. It’s also helpful to do research on the institution you’re considering — with online programs it’s even more important to distinguish between accredited programs and diploma mills.

4 - GET THE CREDIT YOU DESERVE.
Many programs will accept “life experience” credits; if you’re returning for an undergraduate degree, the College-level Examination Program (CLEP) can result in savings of both your time and money. Some programs offer portfolio options (students prepare a portfolio of accomplishments completed either at work or home) that can also greatly reduce the number of courses required to complete a certificate or degree.

5 - ASK FOR SUPPORT.
Kranseler says that once she made the decision to return to school, she began talking to everyone about her plans. Finding others to support her dream became an important component to her success. Once enrolled, join study groups and access your instructors when needed. One of the characteristics of most non-traditional programs is reduced class size. Make that work to your advantage. Most teachers are available for online support, says Koop. That can mean a student with a problem or concern can get help early on.

Advisors are available at most colleges and universities and many sites offer seminars for returning students. Make use of the free assistance that’s offered. Independent educational consultants can also help you in deciding what program best meets your needs; additionally, they can help you package your educational and employment backgrounds if you seek to enroll in a rigorous program.

Leslye Bergan found that her most valuable support came from her sons — especially when it came to technical assistance. “It was so nice to call my son, Tyler, and ask for “techy” help with my online courses,” she laughed. “Not only could he figure everything out, he gained an understanding of what I was doing and how it was important to me.” Lisa Kranseler agrees, explaining that her kids learned what education means to their family in a new way. “We worked together on our various homework assignments — we connected through our work,” she states. “My kids are better for this…my experience has become part of their education, too.”

My Bachelor of Science degree in business and management hangs on the wall of my home office. It’s one of the proudest achievements of my adult life. I’ve long since retired from the company that paid for my education and helped make my second career as a freelance writer possible. That youngest daughter of mine is now a junior at the University of Idaho and as she laments her upcoming mid-terms, I smile knowingly. The long nights of cramming for a test, researching a paper, or doubting my abilities are behind me, but I understand her feelings. “It’s going to be OK,” I respond quietly. “You can do this.”

Roberta Greenwood is a frequent contributor to Seattle Woman. She remains grateful to her University of Redlands study group for enabling her to pass statistics.

©2007 Caliope Publishing Company