6 Tips for Going Back to College or Career School as an Adult
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If you’re an adult looking to go back to school or continue your education, this time of year might feel like the perfect season to start learning again. But how can you go about doing this when you feel bogged down by life and responsibility? Below are some tips for going to college or career school as an adult, all while juggling your family, friendships, and work.
Why is it so hard to go back to school as an adult?
Adult learners often have more real-world responsibilities that can make it difficult to pursue more education. Financial struggles are also a factor for many adults, especially if they have a family to support. Furthermore, many adults may think it’s too challenging to start the process or simply don’t know how. Once you finally get all your ducks in a row and are enrolled in school and ready to start, you may be nervous about going back and being as ready as you can be. These tips can help you prepare and put you at ease.
Read more: Going Back to School as an Adult (FAQs)
1. Get organized before beginning classes
To prepare, one of the first things you can do is make sure you have all of the supplies you’ll need and have your schedule worked out before classes begin. If you’re enrolled in an online program, the work will likely be at your own pace, but you’ll still need to find time to fit it into your life and routine. The good news about online school is that you don’t need a lot of supplies - just an internet connection and a device that connects to it! It may be easiest to work from a computer, but if a smartphone is all you have, a smart phone will work just fine.
Any other supplies are really down to preference. If you’re someone who likes to write handwritten notes and make flashcards, you can purchase notebooks, pens, flashcards, and sticky notes to aid you in your studies.
Read more: How to Apply to College After High School (Guide)
2. Master time management
As an adult with a lot of different responsibilities, time management may be your worst enemy when going back to school. That’s why creating a schedule and sticking to it can be the best thing you can do as you embark on this new journey. Besides helping you to stay on track, creating and sticking to a schedule or routine can bring you a sense of control over your life. Even if you’re only able to fit schoolwork into your routine in small increments, you’re still making time for it regularly with a set schedule.
Read more: How Mental Health Can Affect Your Grades & Academic Performance
3. Build effective study habits
Everyone studies differently, so it’s important to find strategies that work for you. If you don’t know what type of learner you are, you can try different ways of absorbing material until you find the one that works. For example, visual learners often benefit from diagrams, charts, or color-coded notes; auditory learners may absorb material better by listening to lectures, recordings, or even talking through concepts with others; reading/writing learners thrive on taking detailed notes or rewriting material in their own words; and kinesthetic learners often need to engage physically—through hands-on practice, role-playing, or real-world application of concepts. Once you determine what kind of learner you are, you can start studying accordingly.
Read more: 10 Study Tips from Real Students (Study Guide)
4. Balance career, family, and school
Adult learners may have a more difficult time keeping up with their studies than traditional aged learners due to the responsibilities and obligations they have. You likely have a job that demands a large portion of your time and may even have a family you are the primary caregiver for.
Night school is a great option for many adult learners, but it still may not be the best solution for those with a family. Online degree or career programs are a great option if you’re in need of balance between your career, family, and schoolwork. They are usually self-paced and don’t have due dates, making them a perfect solution for those at a loss for how to manage it all.
Read more: 10 Alternatives to College (Guide)
5. Use support resources
Asking for help when you need it can make a big difference in your academic journey and can aid you on your road to success. Your school will likely have support services you can take advantage of. Penn Foster, for example, has learner support advocates for general support and an instructional team for academic support.
Remember that using support resources is an active choice to invest in yourself. It demonstrates initiative, self-awareness, and determination. No one is expected to succeed entirely on their own, and making use of the resources available to you can provide guidance, clarity, and encouragement when challenges arise.
6. Stay motivated all semester or program
Motivation to do schoolwork can be hard to come by at any age. Add in adult responsibilities and stressors and it can feel nearly impossible. Here are some ways you can maintain your motivation as you move along in your studies:
- Set clear, achievable goals
- Connect studies to real-life outcomes
- Create a consistent routine
- Stay flexible and self-compassionate
- Track and reflect on progress
- Incorporate rewards
- Use positive mindset and growth strategies
Read more: Does Education Make a Difference in Salary? (How Learning More May Help You Earn More)
Consider going back to school with Penn Foster
Choose yourself this year by going back to school with a flexible, self-paced program that fits into your schedule, not the other way around. Penn Foster can be a perfect fit for those who aren’t able to be full-time students but still want to further their education. Thrive your way with one of our degree or career programs and get on the road to success! Enroll online, request more information, or call an admissions specialist at 1-800-275-4410 to get started.
