| For the older student, going back to school can be a | | | | family time, errands, and a multitude of activities. |
| frightening experience. Many people choose to go | | | | Balancing school and life isn't easy but it can be |
| back to school to obtain the degree that they have | | | | manageable. |
| always wanted, to effect a career change, loss of | | | | 6. Attendance |
| employment, and for many other reasons. | | | | Class attendance is critical to your success because it |
| Continuing your education is hard work. You must be | | | | is a supplement to your textbook and other course |
| able to prioritize and organize. Balancing school and | | | | materials. Many instructors and professors include |
| home life can be extremely challenging, and more so | | | | attendance in their grading system, and missing |
| if you have children at home. There are many things | | | | classes can cost you points. Attendance affects your |
| that you can do to help you manage the college | | | | grade, and missing class when it is not due to illness |
| work load, ease your stress, and increase your | | | | or other extenuating circumstances is self defeating. |
| chances of college success. | | | | 7. Homework |
| 1. Know why you chose to go back to school | | | | College classes are taught at a very fast pace. A |
| What are your goals? If your goal is to take a class | | | | math class that takes all year in high school is taught |
| just to gain knowledge, you will be better off to | | | | in one term in college. Planning your homework and |
| take a community education class that doesn't | | | | working ahead when possible are things that will help |
| require grading and homework. Many community | | | | keep you on track. Know when your assignments |
| colleges offer community education classes, and the | | | | are due, and don't procrastinate. Writing a term paper |
| fees are usually low. If your goal is to obtain a | | | | the day it is due almost always guarantees a low |
| degree, have a clear idea of what you want to | | | | grade because your concentration is on getting the |
| achieve, and reaching your goal will be much easier. | | | | paper done, and things such as facts, citations, |
| 2. Define your priorities | | | | spelling and grammar errors are often overlooked. |
| If you want to succeed in college, you need to | | | | 8. Have a personal investment in your education |
| determine what is the most important to you. During | | | | Ask questions and get involved in class discussions. |
| my college years I had classmates that had low | | | | Learn your instructor's teaching style, expectations, |
| grades or failed because the football game came | | | | and preferences for assignments. If you don't |
| before homework. Movies came before homework. | | | | understand something, meet with your instructor |
| Traveling came before homework. Procrastination | | | | after class or schedule office time to go over what |
| only hurts you as a student, and shows that you are | | | | you need help with. If you are getting low grades, |
| not serious about your education. | | | | seek tutoring in those subjects. Many colleges have |
| 3. Financial aspects of attending college | | | | tutors on campus that provide free tutoring to |
| Planning your finances while in college is something | | | | students. |
| that every college student must do. Nontraditional | | | | 9. You are responsible for your education |
| students often have back-up sources of income such | | | | College provides a learning environment to students |
| as a working spouse, parents, or other family | | | | who want to learn, but it is up to you to go to class, |
| members that can help with the cost of college. | | | | seek help, study, and ask questions. Your investment |
| Financial Aid is also an option, and your school will | | | | in your education is what determines your return so |
| have information on how to apply. Planning for | | | | make the best of it. Think of it as money in the |
| expenses outside of college also has to be included in | | | | bank; the more you put in, the bigger the return you |
| your financial planning. A solid financial plan will help | | | | receive. |
| minimize leaving college due to financial issues. | | | | 10. Stick with it, don't give up |
| 4. Classes and programs of study | | | | College changes your life. You will have good times |
| Choose your major carefully. Decide what you want | | | | and difficult times, and the rewards are greater than |
| to do after graduation and choose a curriculum that | | | | the sacrifices. The college experience is |
| corresponds with your needs and desires. Pay close | | | | unforgettable; it is a time to learn and try new things, |
| attention to when classes are offered by your school | | | | meet new people, and make new friends. It takes |
| because many required classes are offered | | | | persistence, commitment and dedication to get |
| semiannually or annually, and you might have to | | | | through college but you can do it. Use your support |
| spend extra time in school just to get one or two | | | | systems to help you through the rough times, and |
| required classes. Try to take the required classes | | | | don't give up. |
| first, then take any electives. I always enrolled in the | | | | When you make it through, celebrate your success |
| required classes that were offered each term and | | | | and make a toast to your future. |
| enrolled in an elective class to fill any gap in my | | | | According to the United States Department of |
| mandatory credit load. | | | | Education, non-traditional college students make up |
| 5. Time management | | | | 47% of the overall student population. Other studies |
| Managing your time is essential to succeeding in | | | | and experiences show that older students bring life |
| college. Each class requires at least two hours of | | | | experiences to the classroom that are related to |
| study time outside of class per hour spent in class. | | | | family, work, and culture. |
| For example, if your class is meets three hours per | | | | I went back to school in my early 40's, and did |
| week, your study time for that class is six hours per | | | | extremely well. I had to sacrifice personal and family |
| week. A time management tool such as a day | | | | time, projects, and many other things. Time |
| planner is great for time management. You can use a | | | | management, diligence, and a strong desire to learn |
| calendar, notebook, or anything that works to help | | | | became my friends. I really enjoyed my college |
| you with time management. Time blocks can be | | | | experience and made the best of it. You can too. |
| designated for studying, homework, research, work, | | | | |