congratulations from us to you -

you've got a great adventure ahead

As an Adult Learner, we know you are handling multiple priorities. You are taking risks and making sacrifices to be here. We congratulate you for making it this far! Some of you are brand new to college and some are returning after a long break. Many of you work full time, have families, and are going to school. Some of you have other priorities such as an aging parent, military commitments, 2nd (and 3rd!) jobs and medical concerns, to name a few. In addition, there are many other demands on your time: the car needs the oil change, kids need their vaccinations, mail needs to be opened etc. You each have a story. Your needs and concerns are unique as are and you are adding one more commitment to your life. And yet, we know, that even with school a priority, it often falls behind work and family. Consequently, we put together this page for YOU. We are here to encourage and support you!

Remember it is about Balance and Perspective:

- It’s never too late and NO you are not too old!
- You WILL finish with slow and (relatively) steady progress
- Set short term goals and give yourself permission to reevaluate at designated points
- Subdue the all or nothing attitude
- Celebrate completion points with those immediate family/friends that are also making sacrifices to support you
- Identify your most peaceful and most productive time and capitalize on it
- Know and accept your limitations and work with them
- Don’t let how long it takes to complete the degree be your focus
- Identify your top four priorities in life and try to align your time respectively
- It’s okay to graduate without a 4.0 GPA
- Distinguish between what you CAN let go and what you do not want to let go of…..then “let go” and minimize the “have-to’s” [i.e., you may want to clean the house each week but do you really need to??]

Tips from Other Adult Learners:

- Make a list of the most important things that need to be done

- Prioritize
- Cut back on less important extra activities
- Every night write down what needs to get done the next day
- Use a planner!
- Make flash cards
- Divide up homework and do a bit each day
- Keep the most helpful and important people close by.
- Do your homework while your kids are doing their homework
- I get lots of reading done during my children's hockey and baseball practices

Referenced from: http://depts.inverhills.edu/Counseling/AdultLearner.htm


Betsy Bladel Organizational Leadership Student

Get to know

EC - discovery at any age

Education has been a major commitment in Ms. Betsy Bladel’s life, and now she is taking the opportunity to turn her focus onto her own education as a student in the first cohort of Eureka College’s Organizational Leadership Degree Completion Program. Bladel is an active citizen of Central Illinois. She is committed to her position at Northmoor-Edison Primary School in Peoria as a reading tutor. Bladel also serves as the key communicator for the school and serves on the Positive Behavior Intervention Committee. The heart of her work is working with and serving others.

This love for people and service is her inspiration for completing her degree through the Organizational Leadership program. After completing her term as the Vice President of Fundraising, Marketing, and Membership on the Board of Directors for the Junior League of Peoria, the Junior League nominated her for the Twenty-five Women in Leadership award. After being chosen for the award by WEEK TV, Bladel decided to finish her degree to improve her talents and knowledge in order to establish a possible career in management in a corporation or a
non-profit company.

Bladel started her college education at Stephens College in 1972 but had to leave due to illness. She attended classes at Illinois Central College for several years and received her Associate’s Degree in Library Technology in 2001. While looking at colleges in the area to finish her Bachelor’s Degree, Bladel fell in the love with the atmosphere of Eureka College. However, EC typically offered classes during the day, which did not work with her busy work schedule. When she received a brochure about the unique learning experience of the Organizational Leadership Program, Bladel signed up and says that “the weekend cohort was the answer to my prayers, and it was the best decision of my life.”

Once in the cohort, Bladel has been driven by the members of her cohort and the faculty and staff at Eureka. Bladel enjoys the camaraderie that the cohort offers, as well as the ability to discuss concerns created by the classwork with her classmates. Since starting the program, she has had to rearrange her priorities by blocking off a few hours each night to work on school work but has still been able to maintain her career, personal relationships, and community involvement. Bladel feared that a degree would be unattainable at this point in her life; however with each class, her organizational and communication skills are increased, and she is a step closer to graduation.

“I love this program! My decision to attend Eureka was made after I visited the campus grounds. I love the historic buildings and the Ivy League feeling I get when I am at the College. Working two jobs during the day meant that I could only take night classes which Eureka wasn’t offering. The weekend cohort was the answer to my prayers and it was the best decision of my life. I balance my studying with blocks of time everyday and every night so I don’t get behind. My practicums are forcing me to think outside the classroom walls. My organizational and communication skills have increased and helped me at my work since I stared the OL program. The friends that I have made at Eureka College will be my friends for life.”