Back in school tips or wanting to take that step

[erdave]

You Want to Enter or Return to College

we all have many reasons we have accumulated over the last several years for not entering the school enviroment. I hope some of these help. I am an Lpn and single father. I work (2) 16 hour shifts on the weekends to allow me school time and daycare for child

I can't because.... I am too old...we do not have the money...what am I going to major in? All those students are younger than me and I want fit in. A friend of mine talked me into returning to a university three years ago. He is also a non-traditional student. He is in his masters program now and I am off to higher education.(law school) We both had similar questions and we both got through the BS program. We have a guide that we have put together for students with the same questions and fears we had. These suggestions are only what have worked for us but we have drawn for experiences of other non-traditional students we network with.

We all have labels attached to us in life and the label non-traditional student is what students that have families and/or returning to college after a period of absence is called.

Your university will have a summer program just for you....usually about 2-3 days. You need to attend it. You have kids bring them. If the program sounds kind of corny or you're above that, please rethink; you can register early and the program is lead by professors that are user friendly and non-traditional students. They will also work on your financial aid package.

You need a major? No you don't....you have 2 years of course that are pre-requisites for graduating ...just take them. What has worked for me is to take the courses that will get me the highest grades in the quickest period of time. Take a general studies course on how to study and write (teaches you your best style of learning and how to use it) and its an easy A. My best subjects are those that involve reading and writing. The most difficult courses at this university for returning students are math and foreign languages. I saved them for last....the theory here is once you have a GPA > 3.4, its harder for the professors to consider giving you bad grades. The professors know what your GPA is when you first take a class from them.

Treat the first test you take as if it is your final. The first test is the most important. We all have bad days and once you have an A on the first test...if your bad day falls during a test, the professor will have an easier time understanding a good student and his lower test scores. If it's a class with a lot of writing and you're not sure what the professor wants...go to online site of his graduate school and pull up their PhD topic and paper...see what and how they wrote it.

Show up for class....that's mandatory. If the professor doesn't take role...still show up. They know who is attending classes....things do happen especially for NT (non-traditional) students....kid problems, spouse problems. The professors will easily allow for that but give them real attendance to prove you want that course.

Most professors are user-friendly for NT students but there will be a few that aren't. Avoid them.......network at your campus and see who to take. For me, the professor is far more important than the course....Go to your professor for both good things and the down days...If you are starting to fail a course.....don't drop it till you have talked with the professors....there are resources and tutors on every campus...don't be shy...that's your grade and it stays on your record...don't ever let the final exam determine your grade....its too stressful and unnecessary...I tutor two classes at my university; all semester long, I, along with other tutors average 6 students a week. The last week before finals the rooms are full and the tension is high....the object is to obtain your degree in as less stress as possible.

Enjoy your college experience. The sports events are free or minimal in price. Most universities have the same movies that are at the theater and are free or $2.00. My child and I have free use of the swimming pool and tennis courts. Take your family; include them in your college. Enjoy your time.

The age thing? I'm 48...My memory isn't what it used to be and I don't consider myself bright.......if I can do this, there is a future for all....

Use what you can of what I have written and discard the rest.

Enjoy your day...dave

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Wonderful, wonderful post Dave ... thanks for sharing. :)

[susanna]

Thankyou so much for sharing. I know exactly what you mean when you say, feeling out of the loop, because you're older or different. I never feel self-assured at school. With the older people in my class, I've never taken a second look at them because I've always thought that those more mature and experienced in the world didn't mind anything because I assumed that age just brought being able to be comfortable and unembarrased in all situations. I've always thought the older people in my class were so self-confident and responsible-seeming and I wish I could be like that. Its a little comforting to hear that even you guys have to work at it a little to keep yourselves self-assured and its not just me who "hasn't grown up yet" as other people tend to remark about people like me who aren't too self-assured and haven;t got it all together yet.

Hope you enjoy law school. I hear its a difficult, but very rewarding career path.