Now that you've made the commitment to take some college courses, you need to figure out how you'll fit them into your busy life. Here are some tips to help you adjust to being back in school:
Take Care of Yourself
While you're going back to school, don't neglect your need to sleep and eat well. After all, you're pushing your mind and body to greater heights during this time. Plan ahead and pack healthy snacks, water, and a light dinner for the nights you'll be in class. In addition, consider arriving a few minutes early if possible so that you're not rushed and more likely to feel flustered.
Manage Your Time Effectively
As a student, your time is more limited than every. Resist the urge to wait for the "perfect time" to tackle your schoolwork. After all, you're probably not going to find a lot of long stretches in your schedule where you can do your schoolwork uninterrupted. Instead, use small chunks of time whenever you can. This may mean doing some of the required reading on your lunch hour, before your kids wake up each morning, or while they're doing their own homework at night.
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Find Out What Your School Has to Offer
Most colleges and universities offer special programs for adult learners, such as career counseling, child care, and technology courses. Contact you the Office of Student Affairs at your school to find out what programs are available to you.
Attend New Student Orientation
With your busy schedule, you may be tempted to skip optional "new student orientation" activities. However, this is a great opportunity to ask questions, meet other new students, and get oriented to the campus.
Broaden Your Social Network
Going back to school is also a great opportunity to meet new people. Chances are, you won't be the only mature learner in your class! Make an effort to introduce yourself to one or two students in each of your classes. Also, try to find at least one person in every class with whom you can swap phone numbers and E-mail addresses. This way, if either of you has a question or needs to unexpectedly miss a class, you'll have someone to call.
