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Taking the first steps
Step-by-Step
It may be tempting to rush into as many courses as you can in order to minimize the total time it will take to earn your degree. Don't do it! Especially at the beginning of your program, if you bite off more than you can chew, you won't do as well as you'd like in any course. At best, you'll wind up stressed and frustrated. At worst, you'll lose your confidence and drop out.
Even if you're not working, or working only part-time, you're better off starting with only one, or at most, two courses.
Take advantage of tutors and/or counselors, if necessary.
It's worth the extra time upfront to consult some of the books available to guide you through preparing for exams, writing term papers, conducting research and time management.
And you shouldn't minimize the value of student orientations. They may seem alien or unnecessary, but anything that gets you back into an "academic" mindset is helpful at the beginning.
Planning is key
You will be most successful if you take the time to do proper planning at the beginning.
1. Assess your situation
This is the time to be brutally honest with yourself - and your family and friends! Here are a few of my guidelines. I'd love to hear yours.
Time
How much time can you devote to study? Classroom time is just a small chunk of the total time you'll need to set aside. Expect to spend at least three times more for study, research, homework preparation.
When will you be able to study? Personal rhythms are important. If you feel most energetic in the morning, try to arrange your schedule to study or attend classes early. If you're more creative at night, you might set aside time to study after the kids have gone to bed.
Place
Where will you study? Set aside a private place, one that's off limits to others! If this isn't possible at home, consider using the college library. It may be less convenient, but you'll get more done.
How far are you willing and able to travel to class? If your schedule doesn't allow you to travel more than 30 minutes each way, don't pick a school 45 minutes away. You'll not only be stressed, you may well drop out.
Family
How supportive are your family and friends? Trying to convince others that you know what you're doing can take a lot of energy that would be better used in your studies. You might find it necessary to turn a deaf ear.
Will they have to adapt their schedules? This is one of the toughest issues for adult students with families. It's not hard to understand the problems faced by the person returning to school. But few appreciate the impact of this experience on the student's immediate family.
Will they fill in with household chores? In the best of all possible worlds, your family will all pitch in to help you through. Even if they don't, you must vow never to feel guilty about undone house or yard cleaning!
Employer
How supportive is your employer? There will be times - especially around mid-term and final exams - when you'll be pressured and maybe a little distracted. You'll find out quickly that an understanding boss is a blessing at these moments. If you must work around a non-supportive employer, you'll have to carefully schedule vacation times and personal days to coincide with your school schedule.
How flexible is your work schedule? It can be very frustrating to get near the end of your studies to find that the last courses you need are only offered during the afternoon. Workplace flexibility can bring you a full semester or more closer to your graduation!
Scheduling
Do you need to clear up any unfinished business before you get involved in classes? You'll soon thank yourself for eliminating as many distractions, extraneous activities and pressures as possible before you start. It's human nature to underestimate the amount of time required for major projects. Just beware of using this as an excuse to procrastinate on your studies!
Financial
How much can you afford? (It always gets down to this, doesn't it?) Your financial situation determines how many courses you can take each semester and how long it will take to get your degree. There are many options available, from low-tuition state universities to financial aid to employer tuition rebates. A realistic approach now will keep you from having to quit just when you're going strong.
Preparation
Do you need refreshers? If you've been away from school for many years, you might consider brushing up on some basic skills before you get into class. It will help you feel more confident, and you'll avoid playing catch-up in your already overloaded schedule.
>>>>Determine your objectives
Back to beginning
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