Never Too Late For College

Christmas break is almost over, so it's time to start thinking about heading back to school. Some of you may be ready to get back into the groove, while others may be dreading the hectic pace of balancing school, work and outside interests. Here are some tips for everyone to help you get off on the right foot for the new semester.

Review Your Schedule

Take a minute to be sure that you're comfortable with your semester's schedule. Sometimes in an attempt to wind down the semester with as little stress as possible, it's easy to choose classes quickly and to just try to get what's open and fits your major requirements. After takiong a second look, you may discover that your schedule looks a bit too overloaded on Tuesdays and Thursdays or that you've schedule all your favorite humanities courses while neglecting any math and science blocks. Maybe there was a class you really wanted that was full. It's always possible that with unpaid tuition bills or drop outs that a space may have opened up. Give your adviser a call to see if you can set up an appointment to go over your schedule or at least check online to see if any other combinations might work better.

Get Those Books

If you're satisfied with your schedule or with most of it, you'll want to decide where you plan to buy or rent your books. The decision is up to you. There are many options, but I recommend doing some research to find out what works best for your situation. The campus book store used to be the only way to go, and it's certainly not the cheapest. Now you can buy books online, in electronic versions or even rent your books. No matter what you choose, it's a good idea to get them now so that you have them before classes start. You don't want to miss any assignments while waiting for your books to arrive.

Make a Plan

You'll feel a lot better if you've looked ahead to see just what your days will look like once classes start. If you need childcare or modified work arrangements, get those things in order now so that you'll have less to worry about once school starts back. This advice may sound pretty obvious, but I can't tell you the number of students I've seen looking to make last-minute changes to their schedules because there was some conflict they hadn't considered until it was too late. So just take a minute to review your schedule and make sure there's nothing that will trip you up once the semester gets under way. You'll be glad you took care of things now.

Good luck with your upcoming semester! And remember that a new semester is a new beginning. It's a chance to explore, learn new things and change the things you may not have been happy with in the past.

There is no one right answer to the question of whether students should buy or rent textbooks.The answer is different for each individual. It's important that you do your research and look into the various options before making your decision. You should be able to get your required book list when you register for class. This will give you time to look into the most affordable option for obtaining the semester's books. Here are some things to consider when making your choice.

Reasons to Rent

• Less upfront cost
• No need to worry about whether the book will be bought back
• Environmentally friendly, as books can be reused
• Convenient, no need to stand in line
• Easy to compare prices

Reasons to Buy

• May need the book later
• Needed books may not be available
• Must wait for books to arrive
• Note taking or highlighting may not be allowed

It's great to have options for getting your textbooks. Just be sure to take the time to do some research. There are a lot of considerations to take into account. Before renting, check the textbook rental site's policies to be sure that you are getting the best deal. Ask how long the rental period is, as you'll want to be sure you have the books when you study for final exams. Check to see if the cost of shipping is included or if it s extra, and be sure to find out whether you can write in the book; otherwise you may end up owing additional fees. Renting textbooks can be a viable option, as long as you make well-thought out decisions regarding the cost.

It's probably almost final exam time at your college or university. Finals can be pretty overwhelming, especially if it's your first semester. You've worked hard all semester. Don't let the stress of final exam time get you down. Here are some tips to get through it.

Make a Game Plan

You'll want to take some time to figure out a plan for tackling final exam week. Decide which classes will require the most work on your part and be sure to set aside adequate time for preparing for those. That's not to say that your easier or favorite class is not worth studying for, but it's smart to realize that the challenging work will require more time. Write down in your planner or agenda the times that you will set aside for studying and be sure to include your family in your planning process. Let them know you'll need extra study time and delegate ways for them to help, such as preparing meals or doing laundry.

Find a Study Spot

You probably have a regular study spot already, but during this intense academic time, you may need to designate a more rigid study place. When i was studying for my graduate school comprehensive exam, I studied at the the community college library where I was working on my internship. Not a lot of students spent time on the second floor, and it was far from the demands and distractions of my home. It was a great spot that really forced me to focus completely on my studies.

Take Care of Yourself

Finals time is fast-paced and hectic. But don't push yourself to the point that you're exhausted. Try to get adequate sleep and eat well. This will give you the energy and stamina you need to make it through. You also don't want to be too hard on yourself. Remember all the hard work you've put in throughout the semester and do your best to perform well on finals, but don't expect perfection. Final exams won't make or break you as a student. Finals only last a week. It'll all be over soon, and you can enjoy your long holiday break. These study tips work great for taking classes in online universities, too.

So take a deep breath and know that you'll make it through. Don't forget to smile. I'll leave you with some humor. Remember, that C isn't always your best guess on multiple choice tests and that your final exams can't be as bad as these college finals from hell.

College can be stressful for adult students throughout the semester, but particularly so during the busy holiday season. There are so many things going on right now. You're probably trying to stay healthy, and juggle all your household responsibilities, on top of getting ready for finals. Don't freak out. There are steps you can take to manage all the chaos in your life right now.

Keep Some Perspective

Easy to say, I know, but I've been there. There are only 24 hours in a day, and you're only one person. Keep your past successes in mind and focus on the fact that you'll get through this as well. Make a plan and stick to it. Make a list of what absolutely must be done and prioritize that list for each day. Don't forget to reward yourself as you check things off. Even if it's just something small, like a bubble bath or an ice cream cone, that's okay. Taking time for yourself will help to avoid burnout.

Don't Go It Alone

Remember to call on your support system during this time. It's the people closest to you who want to help you out when you're stressed. Be sure to reach out to them and allow them to do so. Call a friend to vent about your big history paper. It'll help to blow off steam, and maybe she'll have some good suggestions for how to find a little more time. Delegate responsibilities. Maybe your spouse could cook dinner for you while you work on your term paper or study for that exam. It doesn't hurt to ask; however, trying to go it alone could have negative consequences like strained relationships and health repercussions.

Change Your Thinking

Stress can often be at its highest due to the way we think about the stressful things in our lives. If we let it build up and convince ourselves that it's too much to handle, we're bound to become overwhelmed. Think about ways that you can reframe your thinking or approach a situation proactively. For example, say you're worrying about the three finals you have coming up in two weeks. In addition to the final exams, you have to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for 25 guests, start your Christmas shopping, and attend the kids' holiday concerts. Yikes, that's a lot! Rather than get upset about how much you have to do, take a moment to be grateful for all that you have in your life. It may seem cliche, but gratitude does wonders to change negative feelings. Once you've reframed your thoughts into something positive, take action to figure out the best way to get things done. Remember the above suggestions and write down all the ways that people can help you, then make an action plan for when you'll do each task. Taking matters into your own hands can be very empowering.

Adult students can be very hard on themselves. We have high expectations for doing well and being successful. That's great, but don't forget to give yourself some slack. The life of a non-traditional student can be very demanding, so be sure to take care of yourself and just do what you can. I hope these tips have helped. Let me know what works for you during stressful times and if you have anything to add to my list. Thanks!

This question is often asked by all college students, not just returning adults. However, as an adult student, you may have outside obligations that make it feel more urgent to lessen your load. If you're doing poorly in a class or two, your gut reaction may be to just drop it. After all, you've got so much on your plate, wouldn't it be better to focus on the classes you're doing well in? Maybe, but maybe not. Here are some reasons to consider sticking it out in that tough class.

You Need the Class Eventually

If the class you're struggling in is required for your curriculum, I recommend staying enrolled. Even if you're doing poorly, by sitting through the class and listening to the lecture, you'll be picking up some of the information. This will make it much easier to understand the next time around,should you have to repeat the course. The more you expose yourself to difficult concepts, the better you'll be able to grasp them.

You Receive Financial Aid

If you're currently receiving any form of financial aid, it may be in your best interest to stay in the class. Financial aid policiies often require students to complete a certain amount of credits each semester in order to remain eligible for future aid. Check with your financial aid office before dropping a course to find out the ramifications on your aid package. Dropping a class may mean that you'll need to come up with hundreds of dollars out of your own pocket down the road in order to get back on track with finanicial aid requirements.

You Like the Class

Sometimes students get discouraged and give up before it's necessary. If you like the class and are interested in the material, it would be a shame to walk away simply because you feel you're not doing well in the class. Talk to your instructor to see what your options may be. Maybe you're not doing as poorly as you think you are or maybe getting some help from a tutor will help you to make the information click.

No matter what your situation, I always recommend talking to your professor first. You may then want to see an academic adviser or financial aid officer for more information. Dropping a class too soon can have an adverse effect on your financial aid and on your academic future, as well as in how you feel about yourself. Only drop a class after you've thoroughly researched your options and are aware of the ramifications.

There are many reasons to feel anxious about going to college as an adult student. You may wonder if you're too old to keep up with the younger students. You're probably worried about how to pay for college. There are lots of reasons to feel nervous. But there are so many more reasons to feel hopeful, excited, and confident!

Increase Your Opportunities

By furthering your education, you're opening yourself up to so many opportunities. Of course, there will be career and financial gain once you've compoleted your degree. It's common knowledge that obtaining a college degree increases your income potential. Other opportunites exist for you when you make the decision to go back to school. You'll meet many people throughout your education. Many of these can become important networking contacts and may even lead to lifelong friendships.  In college, you'll be exposed to opportunities to try new things and open your mind to new possibilities. Who knows where these opportunities and experiences can lead.

Grow As a Person

Don't laugh. You have no idea the growth I've seen in students in just a two year period at community college.  The opportunities and experiences you'll be exposed to while pursuing higher education are bound to lead to internal changes. I came across this great article from a woman who went to college twenty years after grrduating from high school. She talks about her insecurities and how she overcame them through the expriences she throughout her continuing education. You will become more confident in both your academic abilities and your personal strengths because of going back to school, as long as you're open to change. I can promise you that!

Count On Your Experience

As an academic adviser, I always told my adult students that if they could raise children or manage a household, they could surely be a successful college student. When I returned to graduate school with two kids and a full-time live-in job, I thought there was so nervous about handling everything. I did some reading about women returning to school, and I learned that women, in particular, doubt themselves. The best way I know to get past that fear and doubt is to recall a time in your past when you've overcome an obstacle or accomplished a challenging goal. What skills did you use to do that? We all have internal resources as well as external abilities that serve us well in our lives. Give yourself a pep talk, remembering how you got through past difficulties. Use those skills and resources to help you overcome your fears related to going to college.

What are your bigget fears? I'd be happy to talk about them in more detail. What are some ways you've overcome either academic or personal challenges?

Photo Credit: kris__xx

As an adult, there are probably many times in your life that you've set goals. You set professional goals and work to meet them so that you can show your boss how productive you are or to work toward that promotion. You set household goals and work as a family to complete them. You set personal goals such as losing weight or breaking bad habits. It only makes sense to set some goals for the upcoming semester. There is a process to setting goals in order to increase your chances of attaining them. This is what I suggest.

Be Specific

Goals that are too vague rarely get accomplished. For instance, if you simply state that you want to lose some weight, it's likely that you won't know exactly what to work toward. Instead, choose a number of pounds you want to lose and make a plan to do it. Same goes for school. Make your goals specific. Do you want to earn a minimum Grade Point Average? Do you intend to study so many hours each week? Keep specific things in mind when creating your goals.

Write It Down

Writing your goals down makes them more tangible; you're able to see what it is you're working toward. Commiting your goals to paper also helps you to make a plan. An action plan is necessary for successful goal setting. How will you reach that specific GPA? Write down your steps to success.

Set Time Frames

There are long term goals, and there are short term goals. It's important to be aware of both kinds and to break things down based on appropriate time frames. Consider setting semester goals, yearly goals, as well as goals for your entire college career. You'll see that the goals for each are very different. Though you may be very anxious to reach those long term goals, breaking them down allows you to see how the short term goals will eventually lead to the long term. This makes each step of the way more meaningful.

Don't Forget the Personal

Come up with some personal goals as well as academic. As you reach these personal milestones, your confidence will increase, and you'll feel more whole. Though college has become a very big part of your life now, it certainly isn't the only part. Don't neglect your personal life.

Be Realistic

We all have lofty goals every now and then. But being realistic about your goals leads to increased success and an overall better feeling about yourself. Adding college coursework to an already busy life is quite a task. Don't impose crazy expectations upon yourself and be sure to cut yourself some slack.

Take Stock

Always be sure to assess your goals on occassion. This will help you to be sure you're on track, and you'll be able to tweak things  a bit if you find that you've gone off your path. You may even find that you need to change some of your goals all together, and that's okay.

These are some tips to get you started. If you get stuck, visit your academic adviser for some more suggestions. And you can always contact me at marydaviswrites(at)gmail(dot)com with specific questions. I'm happy to help!