Every early education program aims at helping students develop a strong reading culture. It is through reading that students learn about the world and expand their knowledge. Reading is also the key to writing and spelling. Unfortunately, not every learner enjoys reading; and it’s not an exception for adult students.

How reading works

Learners usually acquire reading skills at different rates. Reading begins when we master pre-literacy skills, such as enhancing phonemic awareness. During the early years of learning, children are taught how to map sounds to letters and to say the words. As they enter middle school, they are expected to achieve higher milestones of comprehension such as understanding intricate texts and processing a large volume of information within a short period. Being an efficient reader means that you will understand concepts faster than an inefficient reader. As an adult student, speed plays an important part in how well you perform at school.

Common reading difficulties

· Poor comprehension

While you are reading, you should be able to understand the narrative. You need to identify the gist, main message and specific details. If the student is unable to make inferences about what they are reading, chances are that they will not understand the text. As such, they need to go back to basic reading; where they start from letter and word recognition to comprehending the phrase.

· Issues with decoding

This problem is usually seen in young learners. Students who have this problem are unable to put sounds to letters. Although it’s common for one to struggle with new, complex terms, repetition lessens the issue. Children who continue to struggle should find help during their development years. It is the teacher’s responsibility to notice such a child and correct the issue early. If they fail to fix it, and the person grows up struggling with sounds, they might have a difficult time later.

Going back to college? You will be joining millions of adults who are opting to go back to school. However, so much has changed since the last time you were in class. Here’s what you should know before enrolling as an adult learner.

1. You can get credits for what you already know
You do not have to spend money, time and effort in taking classes to learn what you already know. You can opt to get credits for your experience through options like Prior Learning Assessment. Ex-militants can also earn credit for military training that corresponds to college courses.

2. Degree programs are now very flexible
A common excuse that most adults use in a bid to escape completing their degree is that they now have adulthood responsibilities. It’s true that balancing family, work and college can be a hurdle, but it is worth the effort. Luckily, higher education institutions throughout the country are now offering programs that can be taken online. You can also opt for hybrid courses that have weekend and night classes.

3. Employer tuition assistance benefits are common
Statistics have it that about 61 percent of organizations in the United States offer tuition assistance benefits. As companies focus on educating and empowering their workforce, this number is expected to increase. Talk to your employer and find out if you qualify for these benefits.

4. Postsecondary education is in demand
Without an educated workforce, our economy cannot meet the demands for complex jobs. A report by Georgetown University stated that by 2018, 63 percent of jobs would require a college diploma. When everybody acquires postsecondary education, the whole nation will benefit.

5. Advising staff now understand the needs of adult students
College advisors are not there for the young students only; they also understand what adult students require and are willing to help out. They know the challenges that nontraditional students face. So, they are willing to guide them.

The adult learning theory suggests that adults have distinct learning requirements. It also states that the most suitable learning environments are those that utilize shared problem-based approach. Students need to know the traits of adult learners, so that they can gain the characteristics they lack.

1. Adult learning relies on knowledge and life experiences
As an adult student, you are likely to thrive in an environment where you can relate the present knowledge base and activities to past experiences. Learn how to bring in past knowledge, experiences and opinions to every lesson you attend. That way, you do not just feel encouraged to keep going, but learning new concepts is easier.

2. Adult learning is autonomous
Most adults who choose to go back to school do so willingly, whether they want to advance their careers or are looking to change careers. Therefore, their involvement in the learning process is based on making choices that are relevant to their learning goals. That is why you should have a reason for going back to college even before you enroll, because it will give you guidance along the way.

3. Adult learning relies on practicality
Adult learners enjoy learning concepts that they can relate to the real-life situations. Although it is the educator’s duty to convert theoretical learning into practical activities, learners also need to identify ways through which they can find practical ways to apply the knowledge. When you do this, you will not just get good grades, but you will also enjoy your time at school.

4. Adult learning thrives on relevancy
One of the best ways that adult students understand concepts is by relating the class work to their personal learning goals. If they realize that the activities they participate in contribute to attaining their individual learning goals, they are motivated to engage in projects and complete them successfully. As an adult student, you ought to find relevancy in what you are doing because it’s all you need to perform well.

You made the bold decision of going back to college a few years ago, but now you feel like you are falling short because your grades are not exactly how you would want them to be. Do not worry; even the brightest learners have low academic moments. Being stuck in an academic rut is not an issue, as long as you find ways of getting out of the trap.

1. Develop a positive mental attitude
In the face of low grades, it’s only human to feel disappointed. When the low grades become frequent, the feeling of sadness might graduate to a state of depression and defeat. The first step is to do away with this negativity. You will not make much progress if you keep telling yourself that you are a loser. Accept that the grades are not what you desire, but trust that you have the power to change the situation.

2. Identify where you are falling short
You need to work out the aspects that require changing before you create an action plan. So, the next step is to figure out the units or subjects that you are underperforming and the reason for the bad grades. Are your grades poor in all the subjects or is it a particular one? Consider your performance over a long period and not just one examination.

3. Communicate with your teachers
Your teachers know you best, and they have seen other students become challenged by their grades. Therefore, they can give you invaluable advice and assist you to draw an action plan for bettering your grades. Ask them where they think you should improve, and they will guide you accordingly.

4. Find the learning style that works for you
If you are underperforming, it could be because you haven’t found the best learning style for you. Everyone is different, and we all have a studying technique that works best for us. Perhaps you are performing poorly because you do not use your most efficient studying style yet.