costly

expensive

EXAMPLE: We can't afford a new car right now. Buying one would be too costly for us.

field of study

the subject you choose to study

EXAMPLE: Medicine is a broad field of study. There is so much to learn!

focused

paying close attention to something

EXAMPLE: My daughter is really focused on her studies. I can't even get her to go out to dinner with the family.

network

(verb) to use social events to meet people who might be useful for you in business

EXAMPLE: Outgoing people find it easy to network. They enjoy going to events and meeting people who could help them advance their careers.

qualifications

the skills, qualities, education, or experience that you need in order to do something

EXAMPLE: The main qualification for this job is the ability to speak Spanish.

trend

a general development or change in a situation

EXAMPLE: There is a trend toward buying electric cars. They are becoming more popular every day.

individual

a person, especially when considered separately and not as part of a group

EXAMPLE: We understand each person is different and unique. We try to treat our students as individuals.

internship

the time when a student learns about a particular job by doing it for a short period of time

EXAMPLE: My summer internship is at 3M. I'm going to work there for 2 months in computer programming. I need to do this in order to complete my university degree.

introductory course

one of the first classes you take at college

EXAMPLE: In the introductory courses, we learned basic information about the subject.

lower

(verb) reduce

EXAMPLE: Tuition is getting pretty expensive. I really hope I can get a scholarship which will lower the amount I need to pay.

midlife

middle age, about 40 - 60

EXAMPLE: Some people decide to go back to school in midlife. They are a bit older and more experienced.

rewarding

satisfying or beneficial

EXAMPLE: Going back to school was a rewarding experience. I made lots of new friends and gained valuable knowledge.

suddenly

quickly and unexpectedly

EXAMPLE: I was relaxing on the sofa when suddenly there was a loud noise in the street. I ran to the window and saw that there had been an accident!

test out of

not have to take a course because you already know the material

EXAMPLE: I had studied French all through middle and high school. When I got to college, I tested out of the foreign language requirement.

use something to your advantage

let something be beneficial to you

EXAMPLE: I am very tall. I used my height to my advantage when I tried out for the basketball team. The coach picked me!

a number of

several, many

EXAMPLE: There are a number of different courses you can take at our school: English, GED, para, driver's education, citizenship, and even CNA.

college credits

part of the number of hours counting toward your degree

EXAMPLE: Each of these classes is worth three credits. I need 120 credits to graduate.

common

usual, typical

EXAMPLE: It is common for people to focus on their education again after starting families.

depends on

determined by

EXAMPLE: I'm not sure if I can go to college this year. It depends on our financial situation. Will my spouse make enough to support us both if I give up my job? Will we be able to afford the tuition?

discrimination

treating a person or particular group differently (worse) because of their race, age, gender, etc.

EXAMPLE: Discrimination against older people is called "ageism." It is illegal.

factor

a fact or situation that influences the result of something

EXAMPLE: Price is one of the factors to consider when buying a car. Another factor is its reliability. And another is the way it looks.

in order to

"In order to" explains why

EXAMPLE: My brother works full time in order to support his wife and children. His wife always leaves work at 2 p.m. in order to pick up their kids from school.

anecdote

a short story about something that happened to you or someone else

anecdotal evidence

when you use a short story as evidence to support a claim