“My journey so far at Drew has been very pleasant. I have made some very nice connections with students and faculty.”
March 2024 – Thomas Peabody C’27 had attended some college after graduating from high school, but it was not the right fit and he was not able to finish his degree.
Peabody was unsure if he would return to college, but had a nagging feeling that he would regret not returning. After taking some time to plot his next move, Peabody worked full time at a local, nationally-renowned museum.
Originally from Maine and an artist, Peabody was intrigued by Drew’s proximity to New York City. A campus visit and tour sealed the decision for Peabody—he was coming to Drew as an adult learner to complete his undergraduate degree. He is an Art and Media & Communications double major with a minor in Museum Studies & Cultural Management.
“My journey so far at Drew has been very pleasant,” said Peabody of his first year at Drew. “I have made some very nice connections with students and faculty. One thing I have learned by coming back to school, even as an undergrad, is there is so much to learn.”
Read on to learn more about Peabody’s experience as an adult learner at Drew.
Why Drew?
I landed at Drew after looking for a school to continue my adult education. I wanted to find a place that had a nice, comfy campus to enjoy, a good location near many opportunities—while still feeling like a retreat from the hustle of a city campus.
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I had looked at several other schools and felt they did not fit me. I happened to love the idea of being near New York City. I found Drew online and booked a tour at the last minute. Upon arriving on Drew’s campus, I found the tour guides to be very well spoken and helpful in explaining what the school offered, how the campus operated, and where certain classes would be held. I felt like it was a great fit, and has since continued to be a pleasant experience.
What are the advantages of being an adult learner?
As an adult learner, I definitely see campus differently than the average college student coming out of high school who is perhaps still very unsure about what they want to do. One advantage to being an adult learner is your general world experience, whatever it may be.
I have always been more of a creative individual versus a business savvy or sporty one. I have painted and drawn for many years in my spare time. I started painting in high school and have always felt a connection to it and wanted whatever I do in the world for a career to be an attachment to that visual/creative side.
The great thing is there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to bringing previous experience and you will be surprised how any background can be customized and add so much to learning—even benefiting your classmates or helping your professor in their class.
What’s next after Drew?
As an Art and Media & Communications major and a Museum Studies & Cultural Management minor, I am very interested in expanding my artistic and creative base and incorporating a visual arts approach into everything I do.
