Never Too Late For College

Final Exam Tips for Adult Students

marybabysteps — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:41:39 -0500

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.

Effective Study Groups

marybabysteps — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:26:40 -0500

Study groups can be very advantageous to learning. That is, if they're done correctly. This isn't to say there are strict, rigid rules for forming study groups, but you'll want to take some guidelines into consideration. There are specific benefits for adult students in studying with a group, so keep this in mind when forming a study plan.

Mix It Up

Find classmates who have a similar study philosophy to your own. Students who are serious and dedicated to doing well will make the best group contributors. This is obvious. However, we know everyone has their own style, so think about asking people to join who are also quite different from you. For example, inviting a quiet classmate to join your more extroverted group may bring a sense of introspection to sessions. Don't just ask your friends; a study group that consists of varied members is most effective and will tend to veer off task less often.

Create Order

Set some ground rules for your group. Not only must everyone participate, but you may want to have each person come to each study session prepared to teach a certain section of material. Teaching others is a great way for everyone to learn new material and to retain the knowledge. Saying and hearing the words out loud is a too often neglected study tool.

Get Comfortable

Find a place to study that is comfortable for everyone and allows you to spread out. Maybe you can invite your group home to your house. Group study time can be great for socializing and getting to know others. Younger classmates may appreciate being able to spend some time in a home-like atmosphere, rather than in the dorm or off-campus apartment. And getting together with other non-traditional students may allow opportunities for child-care sharing and commiseration.

Most importantly, with study groups, don't allow yourselves to get distracted. While it can be great to connect with others, you don't want to defeat the purpose of getting together, which is to improve your study efforts. Working as a group can lead to increased information retention and effectiveness, if done correctly.

Do you have a group study success story? What's worked for you? What hasn't?

Adapting to Different Teaching Styles in College

marybabysteps — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:19:06 -0400

Do you have a professor whose teaching methods drive you crazy? Does she go too fast? Does he talk in jargon you can't understand? What can you do to change this professor, to improve their teaching? Chances are, you can't change the instructor or his way of teaching. Just as there are many different learning styles, all instructors teach differently. That can be hard for both adult and traditional-aged students to deal with. What you can change is the way you adapt to different teaching styles. Here are some examples.

If your professor is extremely organized...

This instructor comes to class on time for every meeting, writing an outline on the board of the day's lesson. She gives key phrases like, "This is important." or "Three thins to remember are..." This is the kind of instructor everybody likes to have, right? Maybe. But maybe not, if you're not a visual or auditory learner. With this kind of teacher, hands-on learning rarely takes place, and if you need that kind of interaction to learn effectively, you may find yourself struggling.

One thing you can do to overcome the difference in teaching and learning styles is to make the lessons a bit more hands-on when you get home. Immediately review the notes, saying them outloud. This helps you to become personally involved in the material. If there are problems you can practice, do so, even if they're not assigned for homework. This activity will sink in better for you than just listening to a lecture. Perhaps you can even find videos in the library on a particular topic that will allow you to see the process in action. Another thing you can consider is working with the professor's strengths instead of against them. Get a tutor to teach you some outlining skills. Take a study skills course to learn better reading comprehension.

If your instructor is a conversationalist...

The conversationalist engages her students in discussions relating to the material. She likes to ask open-ended questions to be sure the students are on the right track and to provide them with a personal understanding of the topic. This kind of instructor expects you to come to class prepared. This usually isn't a problem for adult students, but talking out loud and expressing ideas may be hard for those who are shy.

The best advice I can give in this case is to come to class extra prepared. Have questions ready about your reading. Conversationalists love this. Be sure your questions are thoughtful and meaningful, not just something to get you off the hook with the professor. If you're insecure about talking in front of the class, try to remember that everyone else is probably nervous too. Also, keep in mind that this is your education, and you have the right to take charge of it by sharing what you know and getting all you can out of your classes.

If your professor is hands-on...

This is the instructor you want to have if you're a kinesthetic, or active, learner. This professor usually lectures for a bit at the beginning of class, then gives the students to take practice the material just learned. Often times, he'll walk around the room, observing or asking questions. This always made me nervous.

If this isn't your preferred learning style, remember the advice I gave earlier: this is your education. Try to remember that in helping to overcome your insecurities of making a mistake or being critiqued. Perhaps the best way to learn in this class really is using a hands-on approach. Just try to relax and let yourself get involved in the process. You may find it's even kind of fun!

There you have it, some examples of the kinds of professors you may encounter in college. As much as you may like it it happen, it's very unlikely that instructors will change their method of teaching to meet your personal needs, but you can make changes in your approach to learning that will help you to be more successful in all of your classes.

7 Ways For Adult Students to Stay Healthy

marybabysteps — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:39:39 -0400

Image by smellyknee

I was watching an episode of The Doctors this morning on TV, and they were answering a father's question about whether it was safe for his daughter, a college freshman, to take caffeine pills to help her stay awake during the stressful time of midterms and finals. This led to a discussion on why students shouldn't pull all nighters and how it's bad for their health. I got to thinking about the time I spent working with students at the community college and realized that, more often, it was the adults who were most deprived of sleep throughout the entire semester.

Many non-traditional students are working to support their families while taking classes or are taking care of children or a loved-one. Their time is very limited. I saw students go straight to class after working an 8-hour night shift. While I know that we often must do what we have to do in order to reach our goals and to move ahead in life, I would recommend trying not to sacrifice sleep when pursuing your studies. Here are some ways to stay healthy when time is short and your to-do list is long.

Get Regular Sleep

You knew I would say this, right? But it's the most obvious given the topic at hand. As Travis mentioned on The Doctors, no one can retain information if they're suffering from sleep deprivation. It's just a physiological impossibility. Your brain needs sleep to function optimally, so don't fight it.

Build In Study Time

Like I've said before, it's a really good idea to build study time into your day. You can do this by scheduling an open space between classes. This way, you're already on campus. It's a convenient time ,away from the distractions of home, to just sit down and bang out some studying. Maybe you can have your lunch during this time also.

Eat Well

Speaking of lunch, don't forget to eat a balanced diet. Actually, don't forget to eat at all. I used to see students all the time who would tell me that they didn't have time to eat. Bad idea. Depriving your body of nutrients is like not fueling up your car, it just won't go without putting something into it. Bring along some healthy (or at least relatively healthy) snacks from home that are portable and can be eaten on the go. Bringing your own snacks saves you both money and time.

Socialize

Yes, seriously, socialize. I know you barely have time to breathe. I get it. I do. I also get the burn-out that comes from not doing anything for yourself. A good way to combine study with socializing is to start a study group. Maybe there are some other non-traditional aged students in your toughest class. You could get together to study and talk about the things you all are going through while pursuing your degree. If there aren't other non-trads in your class, start a conversation with some of the younger students near you. Once you get to know a small group, it might be nice to invite them over to your house for a study session. Many students haven't had a home-cooked meal since leaving for school and might appreciate just hanging out in a family atmosphere. And it could help a bit with inter-generational relations. Norma writes more about this at her blog, Back 2 School Moms.

Drink Your Water

Yes, it's okay to drink some coffee when you're feeling drowsy, but don't forget to stay hydrated throughout the day with water. We all know it's good for our health, but it's particularly important to stay hydrated in periods of stress and when you're on the go a lot, which is when most of us forget something like this that's so simple.

Know Your Best Time of Day

We all have a certain time of day when we're most energetic. Some of us are early birds, while others are night owls. Use that peak time to your advantage. If you're an early riser, get up before your usual wake-up call. This will allow you to sneak in some extra studying, or even some time for yourself. Remember that little thing called burn-out that I mentioned? You may also want to schedule the bulk of your classes early, when you're most refreshed and alert. Same goes for you night owls. Night classes work great for people like you because they're often offered only once a week. This kind of schedule can sometimes free up time for other commitments. If you don't think your attention span can handle three hours of class, however, you may want to reconsider.

Vent

Yep, sometimes you just have to let it all out. I know college isn't easy. There are so many dynamics involved in adding college to your current lifestyle, it's bound to cause you some aggravation. Your family may not be giving you the support you need. Your hectic lifestyle may be getting to you. Any number of things may send you reeling. Don't keep it inside! Talk to your family about your concerns or talk to an academic adviser. You never know what kinds of solutions you'll come up with by working together and letting it out. You're only human. Don't try to go it alone.

I hope these suggestions help. You can always feel free to ask me any questions you may have about dealing with stress and staying healthy. I'm happy to offer assistance. Remember, if you're not taking care of yourself, you're no good to your studies or to the people around you. Be good to yourself.

Studying When You Have Children

marybabysteps — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:52:42 -0400

One of the biggest questions and frustrations students with kids have is how to find the time to study. It can be so hard to get anything done when you've got little ones who rely on you to take care of them or even big kids who are busy with lots of activities. I wrote an article on this subject awhile back, and you can read it here

In addition to the tips I gave back then, I'd also recommend that you:

Build It In

You can do this by scheduling empty periods of time into your academic schedule. Adding an extra period or two in between classes gives you time on campus to devote to studying because we all know it becomes more difficult to dedicate the time when you get home. This is a the best way I know of to increase your study time and to make your life as an adult student easier.

Sneak It In

You'll have to get creative with finding time to study. I know lots of people who have used any small windows of time during the day to read a chapter or review their notes. If your older kid is at karate practice, you may want to take that hour and sit in your car or at a nearby coffee shop and study. I have a good friends who sneaks in writing time while her small children are taking their bath. She sits in the bathroom beside them and scribbles ideas for her writing. Another recommendation I've heard is to use time waiting for doctor's or service appointments to squeeze in some study time.

Schedule It In

Another suggestion I have is to add specific time into your schedule each day for studying. Write it in your calendar or planner. You'll learn lots of time management techniques as you go along or if you take a study skills course. One tip is to add important activities like studying to your planner. Treat it as part of your day or act as though studying is your job, and you'll find it becomes a natural part of your everyday routine.

Do you have any study tips you'd like to recommend? What works for you?

6 Reasons To Take a Study Skills Course

marybabysteps — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:19:55 -0400

It may be called College Success or First Year Experience at your school or it may actually be referred to as College Study Skills. Whatever they call it, it's likely your college or university offers some sort of study skills class. These classes are excellent for everyone, even students right out of high school, whom you think would have a pretty good handle on study skills since they're just getting out of school. College is a whole new ballgame and requires a different set of skills than high school. Here's a list of some things you'll learn in a first year study skills course.

Time Management, Scheduling, and Planning

One of the first things you're likely to learn in a college success course is information on time management. As an adult student, you may already be good at managing your time. Chances are you've learned this skill through life experiences like juggling your job, home, and personal obligations. But we could all use a refresher, particularly in regard to managing academic time. You'll also cover topics like goal setting and the transition to college. These are great topics that help you to consider how to best incorporate your family and current lifestyle into your new academic world.

Specific Study Skills

It seems obvious that you'll learn study skills, but what kinds of skills? As I mentioned in a previous post, note taking skills are important to college students, and it matters not only what you write down, but how you take in and process the information. You'll also cover reading comprehension in a study skills course. Yes, we all know how to read, but do you know how to read for understanding? You've probably find yourself reading a few pages of something only to have to go back and re-read the material because you weren't really paying attention in the first place. In a college success course, you'll learn ways to read more actively, which is so important due to the sheer volume of text you'll be reading over the course of your college career.

Test Taking Skills

Ah, yes, the dreaded test. Maybe it's been years since you've taken a test. You may be more than a little nervous. If so, a study skills course is for you. You'll learn tips for approaching different kinds of tests like matching, fill in the blank, or essay, as well as suggestions for taking tests in different subjects. A math test is certainly different than an English Composition exam. You'll also learn proven techniques for handling test anxiety so that it doesn't sabotage you from the get-go.

Critical Thinking

This is another area in which adult students are ahead of the game. You've learned to think things through, to consider all sides of an argument, and to not take everything you hear at face value. Students right out of high school may have a ways to go in this department. But it's always a good idea to take a look at your own patterns of thought. For example, how do you view authority figures like professors? Learning more about critical thinking may help you to better deal with your instructors or to realize that it's okay to question them. Even as adults, we sometimes find ourselves accepting the word of authority blindly.

Communication Skills

A college success course will go over methods of communication, from in person to written. You'll learn ways of using e-mail most effectively and how to handle conflict with ease. You'll also get insight into dealing with people of other cultures, and yes, those of different age groups as well. This is always good information to keep in mind.

Career Topics

Your institution may offer a separate career exploration or job search course, but you may find some of this information in your first year studies class as well. These classes offer career and personality assessments that give insight into your aptitudes and what kinds of careers may be of most interest to you. You'll probably also find good sources of information in these classes on how to pursue a career after graduation.

This is an overview of the kinds of things you can expect to learn in a college success or study skills class. I recommend reading this article from Redfokker's site, Nontraditional Students Reaching Long Term Goals. You'll get a current non-traditional student's opinion on the subject. Explore his blog for more real-life advice.

Tips For Taking Notes

marybabysteps — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:41:39 -0400

Image courtesy of Rennett Snow

If you're a new college student, chances are you may be unsure about taking notes. You've been out of school awhile, so your skills are rusty. Your instructor may talk too fast. Maybe you're not sure which information to write down. Maybe you just don't know how to organize all that information. I'd like to offer some tips that may help you to find a note taking system that works for you.

Be Prepared

One thing that mya help quite a bit is to take a look at the chapter before coming to class. You may not necessarily have to read the entire thing, but at least familiarize yourself with the content a bit. This will make it easier to follow what the professor is talking about. You may find that you don't have to write as much down if you already have some idea about the material.

Get Involved

Take part in the conversation. Share what you know about the topic, and ask questions. Getting involved in the lesson personalizes the material, making it easier to understand and more relevant to you. Non-traditional students are known for their active participation, you know! Maybe the younger students will even open up a bit with you leading the way.

Look For Clues

Be aware of your professor's actions. If he seems to get excited about the material, it's likely you'll be seeing that information on the test. So write it down. Listen for words like "in conclusion", "the most important part":, or "the follwing factors". These kind of words clue you in to information that is important, so be sure to include the facts in your notes.

Organize Things

It's important to choose a format for organizing your notes. Choose one that resonates with you or something that seems to fit the course material. You may choose to structure your notes in paragraphs for subjects like history. Maybe each paragraph represents an event or time period. Don't, however, feel that you have to write complete sentences. There simply isn't enough time for that. Maybe you prefer an outline form. Outlining your notes helps to see how things go together and is a great way to recognize patterns.

Put It In Its Place

You may want to consider using a three-ring binder. This way, you can insert handouts from the instructor where they correspond in the lesson. You can also add notes of your own later without worrying about whether you'll be able to find which class notes your information goes with. I'd advise writing on only one side of the page and not being concerned with saving paper. Leave white space for adding sketches and diagrams that will help make things clear. Maybe taking notes on 3 x 5 cards will work for you. This way, the information can be organized the way you want it, and it's in a handy travel form for studying on the go. As an adult student, you'll need to sneak in study time wherever you can!

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Check out the College Board's article on note taking for more information. I defnitely like what they say about reiewing your notes. Doing this soon after class ends will help you to retain the information. What works for you with note taking? I"d love to hear about it!

Why It's Okay To Take Remedial Classes in College

marybabysteps — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:55:07 -0400

As a returning adult college student, it's likely you're worried that some of your academic skills may be rusty. And you know what? They may very well be. That's to be expected, and it's okay. You probably had to take a placement test in Math, English, and Reading to determine your level of preparation for each subject. How'd you do? If your score placed you in a remedial or developmental class, it's really nothing to be concerned about. This is in no way a reflection of your capabilities as a student. According to an article in USA Today, about 40% of students entering community college must enroll in at least one remedial class.

It's Been a Long Time

Maybe it's been years since you've been in school.. Chances are, there are many academic skills you haven't used in ages. Take, for example, algebra. As an academic counselor, I could nearly always predict when a student would test into either Preparatory Algebra or Developmental Math just by talking to them for a while about their academic history. Many students fresh out of high school had difficulty with the algebra test. Do you know why? It's because algebra skills are not used every day. It's easy for us to forget the kinds of concepts we may have learned in high school Algebra class.

Concepts Build Upon Each Other

Developmental classes usually don't count for credit. Lots of students panic about having to take a class that doesn't count and fear they'll fall behind on completing their degree. The truth is, developmental classes teach the skills you'll need to build a foundation for higher level coursework. It's these very skills that will increase your chances of doing well in your upper level English, math, and science courses. Without taking the time to refresh your skills, it's likely that you would struggle greatly or even fail such classes, costing you more time and money in the long run.

You'll Learn Other Skills

Often, developmental classes teach other skills like time management and study skills, which are fundamental to the life of all college students. These skills are especially crucial to busy adults with families, households, and jobs to manage on top of their education. Those you've learned some of these skills through life experience, tailoring them to the college experience will help you to begin to apply them right away.

Seriously, please don't worry if you have to take a developmental class or two. It's likely you're already seeing the benefit of them. If not, you will by semester's end. I can tell you countless stories of students who've gone on to excel academically after taking remedial courses in their first semester. Drop me a line if you'd like to hear some of the stories!

Reasons to See Your College Academic Adviser

marybabysteps — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:15:37 -0400

I am a huge advocate of meeting with your academic adviser regularly. As a former adviser, I've met with countless students who finally came to see me when their problems were so big that they felt there was nowhere else to turn. So many of these problems could have been avoided if they had visited an adviser in the first place. I know that at some colleges and universities, it may seem hard to touch base with an a adviser, but I promise you it's worth the effort to establish a relationship with someone from your college advising center or even a faculty adviser. Here are some reasons you'll want to see your academic adviser throughout the semester.

Help With Scheduling

An academic adviser can help you schedule your classes. We all know that. But a good adviser will talk to you about your lifestyle and obligations outside of school to help you determine the number of classes that are right for you. He or she can also help you to choose a balanced courseload so that you don't end up taking too many academically intense courses at once.

Monitor Prerequisites

Prerequisites are the classes you need to take before taking advance coursework. Your institution's course catalog should list prerequsites, but it can be overwhelming in the beginning to determine which classes require you to take something beforehand. Sitting down with an adviser will help to ease you into the process of selecting appropriate classes.

Provide Resources

Academic advisers have a wealth of information about campus and community resources. For instance, if you're struggling with your coursework, an adviser can help you to sign up for a tutor. If you're dealing with financial or emotional issues, it's likely your academic adviser will be able to point you in the direction of community organizations that can give you the support you need.

Give Career Guidance

I recommend visiting your school's career center if you are unsure of your major. But if your school doesn't have a career services center or if you have an established relationship with an adviser, it's likely you'll be able to get a good start on career counseling from your academic adviser. He or she can provide you with vocational and personality inventories that will give you insight into your interests. It's likely you can also find information on your careers of interest.

Determine Whether To Drop A Class

It's not always a good idea to drop a class. You may be failing miserably and overwhelmed, but did you know that dropping a class could affect your eligibilty for financial aid? Sometimes it's better to stick it out. Staying in the class allows you to learn as much as you can about the subject, so that if you have to repeat it, you'll be more prepared the next time around. Always talk to your instructor and an academic adviser before dropping a class.

Avoid Costly Mistakes

Spending just a few minutes with an academic adviser each semster can save your lots of money or time. Often times, students take classes they don't even need, either because they misread the catalog or because they made assumptions about the curriculum requirements. An adviser's job is to be familiar with the requirements of each major and to know your school's policies. Ultimately, what you decide to take is your responsibility, but an adviser can help you to make better decisions.

Teach Study Tips

Did you sign up to take a study skills course? I highly recommend these classes to help you get the right start on your college education, but if you didn't, an adviser can often provide good study tips to help make things a little easier for you. College can be tough for adults with kids, jobs, or other obligations. Talking to an adviser can help make things a bit more manageable.

Get the Inside Scoop

College advisers often know the dirt about different professors' teaching styles or workload. They can also explain in more detail than the course catalog provides just what a class is all about. Establishing a relationship with an adviser will also help you to find out about registration deadlines, increasing your chances of getting into the popular classes that fill up fast.

Check Your Progress

An adviser can help you to complete a degree audit once your further along in your studies. This is a checklist that determines how many classes you've completed toward your degree. Checking in periodically will make sure you don't miss anything toward graduation.

These are just a few of the many reasons to see your adviser. Most schools have some sort of academic center. You can always go there to meet with an adviser, even if you've been assigned to a faculty adviser. Faculty members are great. They know every detail there is to know about your major and can answer all of your career questions, but the academic advisers at your school are experts at school policy, financial aid regulations, general career guidance, and study skills. Find an adviser who you feel comfortable with, and your college experience is sure to be improved!