 The first school day can be a scary prospect for anyone, but adult students confront special concerns and justified fears. Adult learners are more possibly to have multiple responsibilities, requiring them to juggle commitments to school, family and employers.
Adults may haunt negative earlier experiences with formal education, or worry about being "rusty." Returning students may feel uncomfortable when surrounded by younger, technologically-savvy classmates. Prior drop-outs may be anxious about being able to complete the program this time around.
As all these concerns are legitimate, none are insurmountable. Check the following tips that can help you to survive re-entry:
1. Value your Experience
Conceive the significant lessons you've learned since you were last in school.
You’ve undoubtedly learned a great deal about human relationships through a broad range of interactions. You may learn about health and medicine through the birth of a child or the illness or injury of someone dear to you.
Possibly you've obtained technical skills through employment or home maintenance, repair and improvement. Traveling could have exposed you to other languages and cultures. You’ve surely learned the value of academic credentials, something your younger classmates may not yet realize. So, it’s not required to be in a classroom to learn.
Not only your life and work experiences are valid, they can sometimes give you an advantage over your less experienced classmates. Connection between classroom studies and life experiences can enliven and enrich not only your own learning, but that of your teachers and classmates, too.
2. Get off on the right foot
Tell your loved ones about your return to school, and the new commitments and responsibilities you will have. Work on the way to achieving understanding and support of the changes ahead.
One of the first steps to establishing good study habits is understanding your learning style. Try some learning style self-assessment questionnaires to help you decide. Once prepared with an understanding of your learning style, brainstorm how to make the most of it.
If you are an audio learner, make sure to choose a seat where you will be able to hear clearly. Think about taping lectures and your own study notes for review purposes.
You should practice from the outset good study habits. Put into tabbed binders to keep your notes organized by subject. Maintain a homework calendar, assignment and test descriptions and dates. Break big assignments and writing a term paper, down into smaller, more manageable targets (locate library and Internet resources; read and take notes; plan essay outline; write; proof-read; edit). Regularly review materials and consult a tutor or your teacher immediately when you encounter items you don't understand.
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