Adults entering or re-entering college have always been considered non-traditional students. Adult students are considered students over the age of 25. Adults are now returning to college in records numbers and comprise a large percentage of the student population. More adult women than men are entering college, although a larger percentage of men are now returning to college to improve upon their previous education for furthering their career or learn a new skill to re-enter the workforce.
There are different challenges for adults entering college than there are for the younger traditional students. When considering going back to college some of the challenges an adult student are generally faced with include marriage, children, jobs, community commitments, financial responsibilities, or possibly even caring for elderly parents. These responsibilities can be time consuming and/or financially draining. Making the decision to go back to school to obtain a degree requires a time and financial commitment. Many factors need to be weighed in order to find a way to make college work.
Adults may also have concerns about returning to college because they may feel that they are “too old” or that they will have difficulty “fitting in” with the younger, traditional students. However, because of the number of non-traditional, adult students enter college has risen so drastically, adults are no longer “non-traditional.” In fact, according to the Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE), adult students over the age of 25 currently make up over 47 percent of the new or returning student population on most college campuses across the United States.
There is research that also shows that more adults over the age of 50 are now returning to college to pursue new careers or lifelong dreams. This may be due to the economy and the fact that many people are unable to retire as young as they used to be able to. These older adults have most likely decided that they want to find a way to enjoy their “golden years” doing something they enjoy while earning a living.

Around the world the term secondary school refers to schooling completed after primary or elementary school. In general this is referring to high school. In the United States the term ‘secondary school’ can also refer to an alternative high school. No matter what it is called, the importance of attending a secondary school or high school is vital to your future success in many areas of your life.

Students who choose not to complete a high school education and never go on to achieve a G.E.D. or other high school equivalency certification make up nearly half the heads of households on welfare assistance. It is very difficult for high school dropouts to find stable, good paying jobs to provide for themselves or their families. Over their lifetime a high school dropout will earn an average of $200,000 less than their peers who graduated from high school and an average of $800,000 less than those who went on to graduate from college.

Because of the increasing number of people who are going on to get a higher education, there are less chances of employment for uneducated people. Employers get piles of applications for jobs and are not going to waste their time on applicants who have not finished high school. In most cases an employer sees this as a character flaw and may be concerned that anyone who chose not to take the time and effort to finish high school will not devote themselves to their job either.

Further statistics on high school dropouts show that they are more likely to be unemployed, living in poverty, on public assistance, single parents of children who will then drop out of high school as well. Most high school dropouts will also have poor health due to many of the other issues created because of their choice. These individuals are also more likely to be in jail or prison and tend to commit approximately 75 percent of crimes committed in the United States. Furthermore, those who choose not to complete their secondary education are less likely to vote or participate in the community.