The Biggest Challenges for Adult Learners – And How to Overcome Them

In recent years, a significant number of adults have chosen to return to higher education, driven by the desire for career advancement, personal fulfillment, and adapting to an ever-evolving job market. This trend underscores the importance of flexible and accessible educational opportunities tailored to the unique needs of adult learners.​

The Growing Trend of Adult Learners

Adult learners, often referred to as nontraditional students, are becoming an increasingly prominent demographic in higher education. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, a substantial portion of adult learners are balancing their studies with employment and family responsibilities. Specifically, 58% of full-time and 79% of part-time adult undergraduates were employed while enrolled in 2022. Additionally, about 48% of these learners had dependent children, highlighting the multifaceted commitments they manage alongside their educational pursuits.

Challenges Faced by Adult Learners and How to Overcome Them

Returning to academia can present a few challenges for adult students. Specially when you consider adult students are more than just students. Some are parents, professionals, military personnel, entrepreneurs or career changers, and time becomes less abundant than it once was.

Time Constraints

One of the biggest hurdles adult learners face is they often feel they do not have enough time. Unlike traditional students who can dedicate most of their time to studies, adult learners often juggle multiple responsibilities, including full-time jobs, family obligations, and personal commitments. Adult students that work full time might find it difficult to find time for studying, assignments and coursework. Similarly, parents must balance school with childcare and household duties.

Trying to handle everything at once can lead to stress, exhaustion and feeling like you just can’t get it done. Fortunately, this is not the end of your comeback to education. Choosing an online program that offers flexible deadlines, recorded lectures and other tools that allow students to learn at their own pace make it possible for anyone to study in a way that works for them and their schedules. For instance, University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) is best known for its fully online degree programs. They offer 100% online bachelor’s master’s and doctoral degrees, making the (understandable) barrier of time concerns for adult learners be conquerable.

Similarly, Purdue Global and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) provide accelerated courses and competency-based education, allowing students to earn credits at their own pace.

Financial Considerations

The cost of higher education is another significant concern for many adult learners. Most adult learners fund their own education while managing other expenses like rent, mortgage, childcare, and medical bills. Adult learners can have previous debt, whether that is old student loans or just life, it’s understandable that many are hesitant to take on more debt to pay for further education.

When deciding on your program, it is important to keep a few things in mind. Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for adult learners and nontraditional students. Another useful tool is credit transfer and prior learning. What this means is using work experience for credits. Schools like UAGC, Western Governors University (WGU), and Capella University, allow students to transfer credits or receive credit for work experience, military service, and past coursework, which can significantly reduce the number of required courses and cut costs.

Additionally, some states have initiated programs offering free or reduced tuition for residents, regardless of income. As reported by the New York Post, 15 states, including Tennessee and California, provide such programs, which can significantly alleviate the financial burden of higher education.

Technological Adaptations

Many adult learners did not grow up with digital classrooms and may struggle with new technologies when returning to school. Online education often requires navigating learning management systems (LMS), video conferencing, discussion forums, and digital assignments, which can be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with them. To overcome technological adaptation challenges, universities provide various support systems to help adult learners succeed in online education. Many institutions, including UAGC, offer comprehensive IT support, training sessions, and user-friendly learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas and Blackboard, which feature intuitive designs and mobile compatibility.

Research shows that institutions with strong tech support services report higher success rates among online learners, highlighting the importance of accessible digital resources (National Center for Education Statistics, 2023). By leveraging these tools and seeking out available assistance, adult learners can smoothly transition into the digital learning space and enhance their educational experience.

Mental Obstacles

Mental obstacles, such as self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and feeling “too old” to return to school, are common among adult learners. Many fear that they won’t be able to keep up with younger students or that they aren’t “smart enough” to succeed in higher education. Research by the American Psychological Association shows that self-perception plays a significant role in academic success, and negative self-talk can become a major barrier.

One of the most effective ways to combat these feelings is by normalizing the experience. Studies have found that over 40% of college students are now over the age of 25. Additionally, practicing positive self-affirmation and growth mindset techniques can significantly impact learning outcomes. Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck’s research shows that students who believe intelligence is flexible and can be developed through effort perform better than those who see it as fixed. By focusing on small wins, adult learners can gradually rebuild confidence in their academic abilities.

“I love that college is open to all ages I have had people way older than 30 in my classes and they were amazing people who offered a lot of insight and advice on a lot of things, I think it really cool that people follow there passions at any age (…)” – Reddit/Foreva_and_a_day

Strong student support services are a game changer, so make sure to look at schools that prioritize you. For instance, Southern New Hampshire University, Arizona State University and University of Arizona Global Campus, offer academic success coaching, peer mentorship programs, and dedicated advising teams to help nontraditional students navigate their education.

Many schools also foster online student communities, creating spaces where learners can connect, share experiences, and support one another.

We believe in you. Believe in yourself, too.

Thankfully, many universities and colleges recognize these challenges and have made sure to tailor their programs to meet the unique needs of adult learners. Flexible scheduling, financial aid opportunities, and strong academic support, can make all the difference when it comes to completing a degree. When choosing a school, you have to choose one that chooses you, too.

Going back to school as an adult isn’t easy… no one’s saying it is. Juggling work, family, and classes can feel overwhelming at times. But here’s the thing: plenty of people have done it, and so can you. Schools today actually get that adult learners have different needs, which is why so many offer flexible schedules, credit for work experience, and solid support systems to help you succeed.

The key is finding what works for you. Maybe that’s an online program with self-paced courses, a school that helps you transfer old credits, or just making peace with the fact that you won’t have everything figured out on day one. The important thing is that you’re taking the step.

So if you’ve been doubting yourself, let this be a reminder: You are more than capable. Your experiences matter. And your goals are absolutely worth it. Take it one day at a time, lean on the resources available, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’ve got this.

For more information on adult learning, visit our Adult Learners tab.

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Have you gone back to school as an adult? What helped you stay motivated? Drop your experience in the comments!