She started with the same question most adult-learners ultimately ask: “Am I ready to go back to school at this point in my life?” There are only three answers—yes, no or maybe…if you’re in that maybe stage, here are some things you can do.

Carefully weigh the sacrifices and the rewards
Be honest with yourself. Consider the reality of assuming one more responsibility. Also, keep monetary costs in perspective—think of an education as an investment.

Do your homework
Identify specific schools, degrees, and programs that will complement you at this stage in life. Check out the Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE, www.antshe.org), a resource that connects adult students to other students and professionals.

Take a test class
Think about signing up for a course at a local community colleges.  Here you can revive your studying habits and refresh your computer skills. Utilize lower-pressure learning opportunities to ensure a smooth transition into potentially more difficult college programs and boost your excitement for the educational process.

Identify your personal objective
Some adult learners return to college after they realize they need to, but family and work responsibilities may have precluded being enrolled in traditional programs.  Sometimes adults realize it’s now or never. Often, it’s an economic decision or the need for a better lifestyle. Others may recognize that they might not make any real career progress without advanced training.

“There is a huge difference between incomes in families with high school diplomas and college degrees. Master’s and doctoral degrees make even bigger differences,” says Chris Cohen, director of admissions at Texas Wesleyan University in Ft. Worth.

Consider the financial aspects
Apply for financial aid early! Also, check and see if your company offers tuition reimbursement.  In addition, definitely complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov) even if you don’t think you will qualify for grants or loans. Some adult programs may even waive fees for returning students. You may also want to consider student loans with attractive rates. However, exercise caution before accumulating exorbitant debts.

Choose time-saving options, such as online learning (no travel) and weekend (more availability) programs.

Create short-term and long-term goals and backup plans
Going back to college requires flexibility, adjustments and determination. Don’t expect to remodel your home, have a baby, tackle new work assignments and take 15 credit hours your first semester. Be realistic about the start-up time it will take to get settled, and be committed to your long-range goals.

Establish a support network
Sometimes a family needs to be ready for the changes as well as the individual.  Cover your bases at home by identifying reliable childcare providers and surrounding yourself with supportive family or friends who remind you how exciting your new endeavor is. Speak regularly with enthusiastic mentors at work and special friends who respect your dreams of a better life.

Reproduced and excerpted with permission from NextStepU.com.

By the time most adult learners decide to continue their education, they have families and /or job commitments that take up the majority of their time. It is no wonder that so many adult learners find they need to re-evaluate their daily schedules in order to make time to return to school.

Feel free to customize these tips to best fit your needs!

Start small
Break down big projects into smaller bite-sized tasks. Many times, just the thought of having to write a 30-page paper or create a business plan for a class seems daunting. This feeling of being overwhelmed can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Allow extra time to complete each assignment.
If it generally takes an hour to write a two-page paper, allow an extra half-hour for the assignment. This will help relieve the feeling of pressure we often experience when we know we are working on deadlines and will allow you to focus on the assignment instead of how much time you have left.

Start early
Analyze the syllabus for each class as soon as possible. This will help you to create a weekly schedule with planned times for reading and homework. It is very helpful to create your school schedule a month or two in advance. Having a schedule created ahead of time serves two purposes—it allows you to schedule family, fun and personal activities around your school schedule.  It also helps ensure you set aside enough time for your school-related tasks.

Dedicate a space
Create a work room that is both private and quiet. This is by far one of the most important aspects of personal time management. It is extremely difficult to create and maintain an effective schedule if you do not have an area that is your own to read and do schoolwork.

Manage interruptions
Make sure all family members know that when you are doing schoolwork, you are not to be disturbed. Having a private place to work will not be as effective if you encounter frequent interruptions by family members. Each two-minute interruption can add 10 to 20 minutes onto the amount of time it takes to complete an assignment.

It is important to remember that you should do anything that will eliminate or minimize your stress and anxiety.  It is very easy to start to feel overwhelmed, but practicing good time management will help you stay focused and on track.

Christine Javery is the manager of Student Services and Academic Advising with Distance Education at Southern New Hampshire University. She is also a Ph.D. student at Capella University and is working toward a degree in higher education leadership. Javery has been working with adult learners for more than eleven years.

Reproduced and excerpted with permission from NextStepU.com. Original article by Christine Javery.

Pros:

Cost Savings: Online (distance) learning can really pay off financially. You will have to pay for basic tuition, books, and an internet connection at home. But you won’t have the cost of a room & board, and you won’t have to drive to college.

Ease of Access: Online classes offer up-to-the-minute information and assistance. Plus, if you don’t have a fast internet connection at home, your local library can be a perfect place to watch instruction videos or listen to audio files.

Pacing: Some classes are over in five weeks. This lets you become immersed in the subject, and you will be more likely to retain the information when it’s time to take a test.

Adaptability: You can adapt your learning plan to nearly any schedule. If you work full time, you can study in the evenings or on weekends. There is usually no required class time, so your classroom can literally go with you. You can study the online and textbook materials as soon as you get up in the morning or in the evening after supper.

Assistance: Don’t be shy about calling the help desk if you run into technical problems as an online learner, they’re usually very willing to help.



Cons:

Direction: A strong sense of direction is required in distance education. If you don’t have the final goal in mind, it will be hard to know which classes to take and how to plan for the next couple of years.

Internet: To get the most from these opportunities, you must be aware of the technical requirements. A computer in your home is essential. One student found that though they could use the computers at the local library, they were unable to download software due to security reasons.

Self-discipline: No one will remind you to pay attention, and it’s easy to let your mind wander when you’re online. You’ll also have to adhere to an honor system for exams. Some of the tests are taken online in quiz format; others are e-mailed a few days before they are due. Read the rules carefully and follow them.

Reproduced and excerpted with permission from NextStepU.com. Original article by Rachel Vande Velde.

What do you consider to be the biggest challenge as you complete your college degree?  How will returning to school challenge your life at work and at home?

Many adults consider a lack of time as their biggest challenge when they consider returning to school. With work, children, household chores, and other daily tasks, adult students barely have time to get eight hours of sleep. So, how can you find time to go back to school?

Adult learners want to return to school for many different reasons, but why? Many people will answer “to make more money” but there are undoubtedly more answers to this question.

Do you want to earn that degree, acquire knowledge, improve your marketability, move up the corporate ladder, start your own business, obtain a better job within your current industry or is your prerogative linked to personal goals? Whatever the reason, there are only 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week, so it’s imperative as a college degree seeker to make some time-management decisions.

Create a time budget

Brooks Doherty, Academic Dean at the Rasmussen College Brooklyn Park, MN  college campus recently said, “One of the most difficult challenges for college students can be learning to effectively manage time. Careful planning is required to complete coursework and still have time for work, family, and life’s other obligations.”

Many of us have a household budget to balance money management. A best practice for successful college students is this: create a time budget or practice time management. The budget serves as a flexible evolving document; essential to the fluidity of your day-to-day life. While some items in your household budget will remain the same, others will increase or decrease and you may add or remove items from your budget.

So, what do you do? Here are the following steps to take for create a time budget:

1) Write down everything you do in a day; even the most minute task. Keep work, school, family life, extracurricular activities, weekly meetings, for example, all in mind when creating a list.

2) Create a personal calendar. There are many software packages that can help you do this: including Microsoft™ Excel and/or Microsoft™ Word.

3) We cannot always work or study, so pencil in some blank “me” time in your time budget. We must have some downtime to relax. You must “Prioritize and carefully budget your time to make use of every minute; being efficient and disciplined” (via Thinking of Going Back to School? Just Do It!). If you are going to count every minute, make sure you count time for downtime including time to rest. Give yourself enough time to rest and relax to avoid burnout.

Just like a financial budget, you will have to make some adjustments from time to time. Some classes will require more of your time than others, and some classes will be harder than others. Part of the challenge is trying to come up with the plan for each quarter or semester, so look ahead at your schedule and try to image how much time do you realistically need to earn a good grade in that class while keeping a good work/life balance.

About the author: Michael Mancini Jr., is an instructor for the Business degree program at Rasmussen College Online. He has worked in the field of management for more than 20 years, and has owned a small business. Michael has a bachelor’s degree in information systems from Kennesaw State University, a MBA from the University of Phoenix and he is currently finishing his dissertation for his Doctorate of Management in organizational leadership from the University of Phoenix.

The key to studying smarter is being engaged. It’s not enough to look at the words in a book or sit through a lecture. You need to participate in the learning process.

Here are a few tips:

Reading: Instead of reading an assignment just to get it over with, try to become aware of what the author of the book is saying. One effective method for reading textbooks is called SQ3R. It stands for: Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review.

Doing these extra steps will actually save you time and energy. You’ll understand the reading the first time, so you won’t have to read it over again. And you won’t forget important information.

Use your notes: Try to understand what the teacher wants you to learn. What is the main topic of each lesson? What are the important points? Does the teacher mention specific details that you need to know? How you use your notes is just as important as taking good notes.

Do the work: Understanding the reading assignments, the class notes and doing the homework will make it easier to study for the test. Homework offers you a chance to use the information that’s being taught. It’s one thing to read or hear about a topic, but real learning comes from the work you do yourself.

Study for tests: Studying for the test won’t seem as hard if you’ve been paying attention and keeping up with your work. You’ll want to start studying at least a few days before the test, so the information has time to sink in. Starting early also gives you time to ask the teacher for help if you don’t understand something. When you sit down to study, be sure to review, recite and rehearse.

As you continue your education, the information you learn will get harder! Practicing these techniques now will prepare you for handling college work.

Excerpted from an article by Paula Refici Cummings. For more on going back to school, go to www.BackToLearn.com

1. What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer?

a. Anything outdoors.

b. Working a side job.

c. Attending social events with friends.

d. Spending time with nephews and nieces, grandkids or your own kids.

2. If you were in a talent show, what would you do?

a. You’re more into the behind-the-scenes work, so you invented this really cool, inexpensive smoke machine for the show.

b. Performance really isn’t your thing. Instead, you sold key chains that you made yourself.

c. You and your friends created this hilarious comedy skit involving chef hats and a chicken … OK, so you had to see it to understand …

d. The kids in your neighborhood wanted to do something, so you taught them a song and did a little play.

3. Which famous person would you most like to emulate?

a. Marie Curie, early investigator of radioactivity and Nobel Prize winner.

b. Thomas Edison, inventor of the electric light, the motion-picture camera and phonograph.

c. Matt Lauer, co-anchor of NBC’s “Today Show.”

d. Martin Luther King Jr., leader of the nonviolent civil-rights movement.

4. What was your favorite activity at school?

a. The computer lab. You can surf the net, check the news, write a paper…the possibilities are endless!

b. The home-ec room. You’re always cooking up something new.

c. The commons. All your friends hang out there, so it was the most fun place to be.

d. The library. It’s quiet and a good place to relax and read.

5. What kind of TV do you watch?

a. Nature shows

b. Infomercials

c. Soap operas

d. The History Channel

Key

If you scored mostly As, consider becoming a scientist. Scientists have high levels of organization and patience. They are generally ambitious, self-confident and good at strategic planning. Their primary interests are not understanding a concept, but applying it and making it useful.

If you scored mostly Bs, consider becoming an: entrepreneur/businessperson. Most entrepreneurs have a high degree of independence and ability to take risks. Generally, entrepreneurs are able to view the big picture and see how different pieces fit together in a business. They also have high-energy personalities and a drive to accumulate wealth.

If you scored mostly Cs, consider becoming an: entertainer/communicator. In order to survive in the cutthroat field of entertainment and communications, you must have a high sense of self-confidence, energy and self-defense. But don’t be too self-confident; you’ll need to learn from the criticism you get. People in this field are generally independent and good listeners.

If you scored mostly Ds, consider becoming a: teacher. The most important trait for a teacher is patience. Organization, a sense of humor and lots of energy are helpful, as well. You must also have self-confidence and a love for the subject matter. Enthusiasm is a must!

Excerpted from an article by Katie Macpherson. For more career advice, go to BackToLearn.com!

Make an appointment with a transfer counselor. Discuss your transfer plans with a counselor, who can help you discover your options.

Go to transfer fairs. If your college offers them, take full advantage of college-transfer days, which are excellent chances to get information from four-year colleges. Some colleges may schedule routine visits to your campus throughout the year. Find and become familiar with the fair schedule.

Use technology. Virtual tours, websites and promotional videos can tell you a lot about the programs a college offers, the type of students on campus and the surrounding area. Check out the college’s website for an online application, too.

Find some money. Check out transfer-student scholarship opportunities. Your transfer office will have information regarding how to fund your education.

Write for more info. Write to admissions offices and department chairpersons at four-year colleges for information about degree requirements and application deadlines.

Apply for admission. Follow all admission application procedures. Start by requesting all the appropriate materials. Be aware of all application deadline dates. This is particularly important for high-demand programs.

Go the extra mile. You are creating an application portfolio that tells a college of your capabilities and how you will be an asset to the campus. Request an admissions interview so you can articulate your interest in that particular school. These are all ways to give admissions officers a better sense of who you are beyond your transcript.

Ask your transfer office for help. There’s a bit of paperwork involved, such as transcript requests and credit evaluations, so be sure to ask for help! It’s OK to lean on an expert, you’ll be glad you did.

Send your deposits in by deadline, and review the credit evaluation.

Review your financial-aid package. Learn what each item in your package means, and ask if you can expect the same kind of funding each year, provided your FAFSA data doesn’t drastically change.

Read all materials your transfer school sends you.

Also, to help with the transition, download our Free Adult Education Guide!

Excerpted from an article by Christopher Belle-Isle and Jennifer Mailey, both are past presidents of NYSTAA, the New York State Transfer and Articulation Association. For more on going back to school, check out BackToLearn.com.

Going back to school is just the beginning of a lifelong learning journey. With the rapid advancement of technology, a fluctuating economy and societal and corporate changes, you must adapt a learning mindset if you want to succeed. The key to lifelong earning is lifelong learning. But to become a student for life, start by finding out how you learn best.

There are three ways human beings learn:

• hearing (auditory learning)
• seeing (visual learning)
• doing (kinesthetic learning)

If you are not sure which type your prefer, ask yourself how you like to be given directions. If you are an auditory learner, you prefer to be told how to get somewhere. If you are a visual learner, you prefer to be shown. If you are a kinesthetic learner, you prefer to drive yourself there first.

Another important aspect of learning is whether you are left- or right-brain dominant. 1) “Left-brained” people are good with logic, analysis, math, language, writing and reading. 2) “Right-brained” people are good with imagination, colors, graphics, music and rhythm. Of course, we do have the capability to think both ways. When we are able to tap into both sides of our brains, we use our full brain potential.

Many famous people used their “whole” brain. Strive to use your whole brain when studying, working and interacting with others. Also, be selective with what you feed your brain. As the adage says, “garbage in, garbage out.” The same holds true for the programs your brain uses. Only put in positive, healthy and educational programs. Your thoughts, along with the ability to add, change and discard them, are what define your mind.

Excerpted from an article originally written by Michelle L. Casto, a Whole Life coach and author of Get Smart! About Modern Career Development: A Personal Guide to Creating Your Life’s Work.

Not every major is the right fit for a student—a forensic science major and a queasy stomach aren’t a good mix. Here are six majors and the strengths you would need to pursue the degree.

• Biology: Only students who enjoyed their biology in high school should consider majoring in biology. Don’t expect college biology to hold your interest if you snoozed through the basics years ago.

• Business: You should enjoy subjects like accounting, marketing and entrepreneurship. Also consider your past interests and whether they were business related.

• Economics: An economics major needs to have a knack for numbers.

• English: Students who want to major in English should love to read and write. Not the right choice if you cruised through high school on Cliffs Notes.

• Nursing: Nurses must have math skills, good memories and the ability to pay attention to detail. Nurses also must follow doctor’s orders, contribute to decisions and have good people skills. Foreign language skills are also helpful. An ability to teach others is important.

• Psychology: Be prepared for graduate school and beyond. “A bachelor’s doesn’t buy you much in the field of psychology,” Peg Hendershot says. Students who want to major in psychology should also be comfortable with the competitiveness of finding a job in the field.

Excerpted from an article by By Emilie Le Beau. For more information on going to college, visit BackToLearn.com.

Thinking of transferring to a four-year college? Here are 5 ways to be an attractive transfer candidate.

1. Take a set of solid courses at your community college

A roster of solid classes will help your transfer school recognize that you are a student who is willing to be challenged academically. High-quality, demanding courses taken from an institution’s approved list will show you haven’t avoided challenging work.

2. You should look for any articulation agreements available through the community college and the four-year university you plan to attend.

3. Earn a strong GPA

Show that not only are you willing to take a demanding course load, but that you have the ability to be successful while doing so. Minimum transfer GPA requirements exist; your goal should be to achieve much higher than the minimum.

4. Discuss why you are transferring—and why you’re a good match

If an essay is required, this can be a great topic to write about. If an essay isn’t required, submit a brief personal statement with your thoughts, feelings, etc. about transferring.

5. Arrange a transfer interview

Many institutions recommend, but do not require, an interview as part of the transfer admission process. Often an “interview” may actually be more of a “discussion” with a transfer admissions counselor. If you do participate in an interview, it will give you the opportunity to show off your personality to interviewers and make your case for why they should admit you.

Excerpted from an article by Andrew H. Hendrix. For more information about going back to school, go to BackToLearn.com.