{"id":39496,"date":"2017-05-19T00:21:51","date_gmt":"2017-05-18T16:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/?post_type=advice&p=39496"},"modified":"2023-05-01T08:27:10","modified_gmt":"2023-05-01T13:27:10","slug":"confidence-gap","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/advice\/confidence-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"Beating the Confidence Gap and Earning Your Degree"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you dreaming of a college degree? The cap? The gown? Your proud family? The new job with better pay? If you\u2019re one of the <\/span>9.6 million adults that will go back to school by 2020<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019re probably thinking about that right now. But you might also be thinking about the things that stand in the way: your current job, the need for childcare, your finances. Maybe you weren\u2019t the best student in high school, or maybe all the forms and applications to fill out make you anxious. We call those kinds of concerns the \u201cConfidence Gap,\u201d and we\u2019re here to help you overcome it. <\/span><\/p>\n

What is the Confidence Gap?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In general, students who start college right out of high school are more confident about their ability to graduate than those who return as adults or start later in life. When you think about it, it\u2019s easy to understand why. Adults tend to have more responsibilities (work, family, etc.), and fewer resources (time, money, support networks) than students who go straight to college from high school.<\/span><\/p>\n

But you are not alone! Many adult degree seekers also feel this lack of confidence. Abound is here to provide college students like you with the resources and advice you\u2019ll need. Together, we\u2019ll help you find your unique way to academic success and career advancement.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Abound Helps Address the Confidence Gap<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Abound helps adult learners in two main ways: a pre-screened database of colleges, and practical, easy-to-understand expert advice on our blog and social channels. Our database only lists high-quality, accredited, non-profit schools with programs specifically tailored for adult students.\u00a0<\/span>For each school, Abound looks for the four A’s: affordability, accessibility,\u00a0 acceleration, and advancement.<\/p>\n

Affordability<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Financial affordability is one of the biggest obstacles adult learners face when returning to school. As an adult you may have a lot of financial obligations, like rent or a mortgage, a car payment, or raising your children. Abound helps you by listing affordable programs that offer significant financial aid. This saves you time and effort as you search for the right program. We also offer articles, videos, and other media to help you navigate the financial aid process. Abound is here to help you find the tools you need to make your education as affordable as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Accessibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When Abound evaluates a school for accessibility, we examine several factors. First are the campus\u2019 practical resources like parking, dining options, and childcare. Academic services such as tutoring, libraries, and writing centers are also included in our analysis. Finally, we ensure the school is engaging students in the learning process. This means that students are invited to be a part of the campus culture and the student community.<\/span><\/p>\n

When you have access to the resources you need to succeed, and are made to feel at home on campus, getting to graduation is much easier. <\/span><\/p>\n

Acceleration<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Like the old saying goes: \u201cTime is money.\u201d When it comes to earning your degree, you may want to do so quickly. That\u2019s why Abound assesses the tools a school offers to help you complete your degree as quickly as you want. Whether it\u2019s through flexible scheduling or intensive, accelerated courses, Abound\u2019s guide helps you determine how quickly you\u2019ll be able to earn your degree.<\/span><\/p>\n

At Abound we\u2019re with you, supporting you every step of the way. We have resources to help you push past the Confidence Gap, find the right for school for you, and navigate the maze of financial aid.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advancement<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You’re going to school to advance your career, so you’ll want to make sure you’ll be ready for whatever the job market throws your way.\u00a0 In addition to the basic skills and competencies of your major, you’ll gain a breadth of knowledge that will keep your mind flexible and able to adjust to changes in the job market. Our schools also feature great career services to help you find a job once you graduate.<\/p>\n

At Abound we\u2019re with you, supporting you every step of the way. We have\u00a0resources to help you push past the Confidence Gap, navigate the maze of\u00a0financial aid, and find the right for school for you.<\/p>\n

More About Abound:<\/b> We\u2019re here to help.<\/span> Abound: Finish College<\/b><\/a> narrows down your options and gets you in touch with schools that we can confirm are<\/span> Accessible, Affordable, Accelerated, and Advanced<\/b><\/a>. Take a look at the<\/span> schools<\/b><\/a> we trust and find the program that works for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Helpful Resources:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

3 Reasons Why Earning a Degree Will Advance Your Career and Improve Your Life<\/a><\/p>\n

6 Reasons to Pursue a Bachelor\u2019s After Earning Your Associate\u2019s Degree<\/a><\/p>\n

Getting College Credit for Life Experience You Already Have<\/a><\/p>\n

12 Helpful Campus Resources Adult Undergraduates Need to Know About<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclaimer<\/a>: This article contains affiliate links to products and services. We may receive commissions for purchases made through these links.<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Heard of the ‘Confidence Gap’? It might be what\u2019s preventing you from going back to school and earning your degree as an adult.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":39497,"template":"","class_list":["post-39496","advice","type-advice","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","abound_advice_topics-affordability","abound_advice_topics-career-outlook","abound_advice_topics-financial-aid","abound_advice_topics-student-success"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBeating the Confidence Gap and Earning Your Degree - Abound: Finish College<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you dreaming of a college degree, but can't see past the obstacles and concerns that come with going back to school? 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