If you’re interested in going back to school but haven’t been a student for years or even decades, you might be feeling both excited and nervous about the prospect. But with some forethought and proper planning, anyone can go back to school to further their education, regardless of how old they might be.
To help you on this journey, here are three tips for going back to school later in life.
Find A School That Works With Your Schedule
Once you’ve decided that you want to go back to school, you’ll need to find the right school to apply to.
Depending on what you’re wanting to get out of your education, the type of school that you’ll apply to will vary. Additionally, since you likely have a lot of other considerations on your mind, you’ll need to make sure that the school or program that you apply to will work with your schedule and situation. For example, if you’re a parent who’s already working, you’ll want to find a school that allows you to go to class after-hours. Or, if you’re wanting to learn something new while living in an assisted living facility, you’ll want to choose courses that have online classes rather than having to go to the school physically. Many schools offer this kind of flexibility now, so you should be able to find something that works for you.
Start Off Slow
When you’re ready to start taking some classes, you might be tempted to just jump right in with a full load of courses. And while this is definitely an option, you might want to start off slow by just taking a few classes at first.
Especially since you’re still going to be getting used to the new routines and processes of a modern education, having only a class or two to start out with will allow you the time to learn how to be a student in this new environment.
Meet With Your Advisor Regularly
Once you’re enrolled in whatever school or program you’re going to be attending, you should have an advisor assigned to you to help you with your educational path. This person can be incredibly helpful to you as you get used to going to school again and try to figure out the best way to go about continuing your education.
To make the most of this relationship, try to meet with your advisor regularly and get to know them personally. Their advice and guidance can be invaluable to you, so make sure you take advantage of the assistance they can give you during this time.
If you’re thinking about going back to school after taking a significant break from education, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get off on the right foot.
