If you are considering going back to school or have already decided that’s something you’re going to do, then I have something to tell you. Your life will be turned upside down and sideways. Even part time school will throw your whole day-to-day out of whack.
Of course you already know that. Non-traditional students are frequently making sacrifices so they can fit what they need into a daily schedule. Being prepared for that to happen, though, is the difference between getting jostled about and completely knocked off your feet.
I put together a list of five things to do before returning to school. Some of this I did and some I wish I did. If you’re planning on going back, this list is sure to set you up for success no matter what major you choose.
Track Your Time
This is something you’ll want to do for a few weeks. Don’t change anything, but keep an eye out for a few things. Where is your spare time? Where are you wasting time? What happens regularly or what is something that you do that is non-negotiable?
It helps to have an idea of how much time you have and where you have it before returning to school. This is the time you’ll be using to get your degree. If you have a lot of it, great! You’ll have an easy time scheduling in your studying and researching. If you find that you don’t have a lot of spare time, you’ll have to get ready to make some sacrifices. What on your schedule can go? Are there smaller chunks of time you could work smarter with?
Check Your Finances
Everyone is aware that college is expensive. Finance blogs are spilling over with advice on how to cope with student loans. Tuition isn’t the only expensive part about school. Fees pile up fast. Plus you have to be ready to pay for books, files, DVDs, notebooks, and other supplies.
How much of that can you afford out of pocket? Do you have savings that you can tap into?
Most people won’t have a lot to dedicate to those things. I’m sure one of the reasons you’re considering taking the leap back into higher learning is so that you CAN have that kind of extra money some day.
It’s okay if you don’t have a lot to put towards that right now. That is what loans are for, anyway. But don’t just take out as many loans as you can for the sake of taking them out. Be calculated about it. How much in loans are you willing to take out?
Brush Up On Basics
It’s probably been a while since you had to do the formal education thing. Non-traditional students come in all shapes and sizes, but the one thing that they do have in common is that there was a break in schooling.
There’s a lot you forgot since high school. Take some time before registering for classes to go over some basic grammar lessons. Find a website or listen to a podcast during your commute. It might also be worth your time to review math and reading comprehension.
Also, note-taking skills will be unbearably valuable, especially if you plan on doing online school. When you get your degree online, there isn’t someone sitting next to you to lend out notes. You only have yourself. While we’re on this line of thinking, review proper researching skills as well.
Understand Your Degree And What You Need To Do To Finish
If you haven’t applied to a college or university yet, their website should give you an idea of this. Otherwise, this information will be available to you after you applied, got accepted, and transferred your credits.
First, you need to know exactly what is required to obtain the degree. How many credits do you need? What classes are required? Is there an order they must be done in? What types of classes fulfill generic requirements (like when the degree says “15 science credits” or similar).
Second, transfer in every credit you have from another university. Online schools are particularly generous when it comes to accepting transferred credit. Don’t sacrifice any credits earned just because you’re not proud of your GPA or you think you could do better a second time around. Those credits cost money!
Last, call an advisor. Specifically, get in touch with an academic advisor who has worked with a non-traditional student before. Non-traditional students do not have the same needs or concerns as traditional students, so it’s important that you find someone who knows how to tailor a schedule to fit your needs and fast-track you to graduation.
Come Up With A Plan “B”
Be ready for emergencies. Maybe you have kids you need to plan around. Kids get sick. Maybe you have older parents that are in your care. What if your spouse gets laid off?
Many of these concerns and questions are probably already planned for in some way in your life. Just be ready to work school into that emergency plan. If you’re serious about returning to school, then it needs to be incorporated in your life and made a priority.
This all may seem like a lot. It should be. Applying to school and becoming a non-traditional student is a big choice. It’s not glamorous. You’ll frequently be stressed out and tired.
Taking a few steps and doing some work early on will make subsequent decisions easier. Schedules will fall into place a little better. You need to put in the extra work to ensure your success and your degree.