Monday, March 25, 2024

Who To Talk To About Going Back To College

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It Really Does Take A Village

Going Back to College in My Late Twenties | My Experience

Joycelyn Keller, 30, a fourth-year medical student at Morehouse School of Medicine, in Atlanta, says that to make her studies work, her partner had to become what she calls Super Househusband Dad. “During my first two years, sometimes I’d be gone before our son woke up and home after he was asleep.” For the Rendon-Thofsons, the division of labor shifted over time. Michael’s classes were online, while Chad’s were in person, which meant Michael handled child-care drop-off and pickup and studied at night and on weekends.

For single parents or families where help will be needed, tap extended family, friends, and neighbors: Can someone babysit for a few hours while you study? If your school has an organization for student parents, try to connect with people there. Switch off hosting playdates to give one another time to tackle assignments, suggests Elizabeth Preovolos, a 39-year-old mother of two at the University of California, Berkeley. Mid-pandemic, she and other student parents took turns reading books over FaceTime to each other’s kids.

Good Organization Is Essential

Review your course syllabus during the first week of class. Note all deadlines and due dates, and any tests or exams. Then plot out your calendar for the semester, giving yourself plenty of time to study and complete assignments. One of the biggest pitfalls is procrastination. It can help to recruit a friend or family memberor better yet, a classmateto be your accountability partner, ensuring you are sticking to your schedule and even gently nagging you if necessary.

Start The Financial Aid Process

Loans, grants, and scholarships can make a big difference in the affordability of college, so its very beneficial to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid .

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You can file your FAFSA starting on October 1 of the year before you plan to attend college.

Aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so its important to get your application in right away. The FAFSA can help open the door to grants for older adults returning to college and scholarships that do not have to be repaid, as well as low-interest student loans that are not necessarily income based.

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Back To College Checklist: Supplies And Essentials

Unlike elementary or high school, youll need considerably more than pen and paper. To help you plan for going back to college, weve created a list of college supplies and tools, as well as a few additional suggestions to consider. This list of essentials is aimed to help you succeed both in your research and planning as you seek out your options, as well as provide you with the tools for success once you are enrolled and in the classroom.

Build A Plan To Successfully Complete Your Degree

Trukardash Fan When People Talk About Going Back to School

Even after you enroll, the journey back to college has just started. Take advantage of the momentum youve built and make a proactive plan for success. It pays to get ahead of the curve so you dont get overwhelmed.

  • Plan your schedule. Time management is key to success. Figure out how much work you can realistically take on at one time. Know when you are most productive during the day. Be proactive in removing obstacles that may detract from getting your degree.
  • Choose a strong support system. Make sure you have people who will hold you accountable and motivate you to complete your degree. Whether its a family member, friend or classmate, it helps to have a well-rounded support system made up of people who can empathize with different challenges you may face.
  • Know when to ask for help. There is no shame in asking your professors, classmates or advisors for additional support. Know if there are resources available, from tutoring to office hours and student support groups.
  • Create a dedicated learning environment. Set up a space that is designed for productivity and removes distractionswhether thats an office or just a specific table or corner in your house.
  • Dont let fear get in your way. Dont let anyone tell you that you arent college material. Fix your sights on your goals and have confidence that you can to reach them.

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Develop Successful Study Habits

Set up a space in your home as your school space, much as you would set up an office space to work from home. That gives you a place to focus on school so you can work and study in peace. You should also block out time for your school work.

Find time to study with a classmate or friend who is also going back to school. Adapt your studies to your learning style, whether that means taking plenty of notes, making flash cards, or doing whatever works best for you.

S For Going Back To College As An Adult

There are several steps to take when going back to school to get your degree, such as determining the right program or university and how you’re going to pay for it. Let’s look at four fundamental steps for going back to school as an adult learner.

  • Choose the right college program
  • Understanding where you want to be and how to get there starts with finding the right degree track. There are far more college programs out there than there used to be and thats a good thing. From business leadership to environmental science, the diversity of degrees currently available means students can tap their natural curiosity and interest when selecting a degree and subsequent career.

    Start researching schools to find the program for you. Once you narrow your search for the right college, ask each schools office of admissions if there are any prerequisite courses. You may need to complete those or meet any other requirements to attend the school.

    At University of Phoenix , the range of college program options is quite broad. For instance, lets say you are a registered nurse but are considering a career in administration or a specialty like a family nurse practitioner. UOPX offers an RN-BSN program as well as Master of Science in Nursing programs to help you learn the skills for these careers. Or, if youre great with computers, the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program may be the way to go.

  • Consider applying to an online college
  • Determine available transfer credits
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    Idaho Murders Roommate Came Face To Face With Black

    Bryan Kohberger was a creepy loner who went from being perpetually exhausted to eerily chattier after his alleged slaughter of four Idaho college students, chilling new details reveal.

    Kohberger, 28, was arrested Friday in his hometown of Albrightsville, Pa., almost seven weeks after University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found stabbed to death in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.

    Since his arrest, former friends, acquaintances and neighbors have stepped forward to paint a disturbing picture of the alleged murderous sicko.

    Heres what we know about Kohberger so far:

    Are Your Expectations Realistic

    Why we should all go back to school | Sherry Coutu | TEDxHousesofParliament

    Look at your expectations for what you will get out of returning to school. Are you considering returning to school so that you can advance or change your career? Will this degree or program help you get the results you want?

    Having a clear plan for where you want to end up after graduation will help you to decide if its the right time and choose the right program.

    Along with that, be sure that your expectations of what youll be walking into are correct. Are online courses right for you, or do you need a traditional education setting?

    Online schools and classes offer an amazing amount of flexibility when it comes to scheduling, but you lose out on face-to-face interaction. Think about the ways that you are most productive and be realistic about what will work best for you.

    If you have great time management skills, online coursework may be the way to go. But if you have trouble making time for everything in your daily life, the commitment of having to be in class at a specific time and place may be more beneficial.

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    Q Many Colleges And Organizations Are Now Heavily Focused On Encouraging Older Adults To Return To School To Earn Or Finish Degrees Why Is This

    In many states, colleges and universities are seeing demographic trends that mean the high school student population is shrinking, so for them, a matter of staying in business. At a state level, leaders are looking at returning adults as a linchpin for meeting workforce needs to fuel their local economies. Interest at the state level is truly coming from a workforce lens. Partnerships are forming between institutions not just to bring these adults back to college but to ensure they stay and go through to graduation.

    Plan Your Finances For Going Back To School As An Adult

    If you decide that your career path requires additional college education, determine how much youll spend.

    When you choose a college, its financial aid office is a good place to gather information about tuition assistance and financial aid. But remember that financial aid offices serve a broad student population theyre focused on disseminating basic information, not offering individualized counseling.

    Here are some tips for personal financial planning and other things to consider when youre going back to school on a budget:

    Did you know? The best jobs for college graduates include civil engineer, financial planner, human resources professional, interpreter, translator and software developer.

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    The Logistics May Be More Manageable Than You Think

    Many institutions offer flexible course schedules accelerated, self-paced, or part-time degree tracks and rolling admissions. Online classes are widely available. Many certificate programs can be completed in less than a year.

    When applying, “think carefully about what you need to make college work for you, approaching it like a consumer,” Klein-Collins says. “You want a school that meets you where you are.” Zero in on colleges where adult learners compose a sizable chunk of the student body. If a school is trying to attract adult learners, it will highlight the benefits it provides to parents and full-time workers on its website. Reach out to the admissions office and ask how its staff can help with fitting in classes around your schedule. And remember, Klein-Collins adds: You’re an asset to them, and they should “offer ways to help students like you get to the finish line.”

    There Will Be Sacrifices Ahead

    Are You Guys Really Going to Start Talking About Back to School? Are ...

    You may feel guilty if your midterm conflicts with your daughter’s softball game or question the wisdom of paying for your own degree instead of funding your kid’s 529. “My kids didn’t get fancy Pinterest birthday parties because there just wasn’t time to plan something elaborate,” Dr. Hansen Smith says. But don’t beat yourself up, because the bottom line is clear: Your going back to school benefits the whole family. “My kids have a better life because I made this decision,” says Dr. Green.

    In order for the Rendon-Thofsons to make school work, they cashed out their 401s, downgraded from a four bedroom house to one half the size, and sold their cars. But, says Chad, “it was one of the greatest gifts. We were home for the first years of our kids’ lives.” And when they found Sophie and Maximus jumping in bed, giggling in their dads’ blue mortarboards after Michael’s graduation, “we thought, ‘This is why we worked so hard.'”

    Says Preovolos, the mom of two at UC Berkeley, “I’d always told my kids they could be anything, an done day my daughter asked, ‘Well, what about you?’ It felt so good to go back. I did it for me as much as for them.”

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    Be Clear About Your Goals

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the higher the level of education you have, the greater your earning potential and the lower your unemployment rate. You may be going back to school for a number of reasons, some of which may include:

    • To enhance your career options
    • To increase skills and knowledge
    • To set an example for your children

    Whatever your reasons for going back to school while parenting, its important to know why youre pursuing a degree. Understanding your why will help when balancing your priorities becomes difficult. The Grammarly blog has some helpful exercises on how to explore your why.

    Check If You Can Transfer Credits To The School You Are Applying To

    If you previously attended a college or university, look to see if you can transfer your credits to a school you are interested in attending to lower your tuition costs and save time. Some fields like nursing and computer science are rapidly evolving, requiring students to retake a class to help you stay current. However, most colleges accept credits from other accredited schools, especially general education courses like English and math.

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    Should I Go Back To School

    Everyones situation is different, but returning to school might be the right call for you. If you need help deciding, you can ask yourself these questions:

    In addition to asking yourself these questions, you might consider talking to someone whos recently gone back to school. A firsthand account could be quite helpful.

    Hobbies And Passions Dont Always Make For A Career

    Going Back To College In My Late 20’s | Best Decision I Ever Made

    Your child may love painting, but is it a realistic career choice? Even if the talent is there, could your teen make a living at it?

    Rather than argue about it, help your child understand the realities. Suggest researching the field to find out what qualifications and experience are needed, and how much fine artists might earn. At the same time, remind your child there are other ways to work in the arts. For example, your child could volunteer at a museum or explore a career as a graphic artist.

    Learn about common pitfalls when choosing a college. And get tips on how to help your child with common problems in college.

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    Start The Process Of Getting Financial Aid

    College can be very expensive, but loans, grants, and scholarships can make a big difference. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid .

    Start filling out your FAFSA on October 1 of the year before you want to go to college. Aid is usually given to those who apply first, so you should send yours in as soon as possible.

    The FAFSA can help you get free grants and scholarships. It can also help you get low-interest student loans that arent always based on your income.

    Take Control Of Your Future

    You want to move up that corporate ladder or do something completely different in your career. So why not climb higher through education?

    To learn more about how you can start the process of going back to school for a bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree, do your research and contact an enrollment advisor today. With the support of friends and family, financial assistance from various organizations, and the guidance of a school counselor and enrollment advisor, youll be well prepared to take control of your future as a working adult returning to college.

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    How To Make College A Reality

    If youre considering going back to college as an adult, you may be a little overwhelmed by all the things you have to do to prepare. It doesnt have to be stressful, though. Getting started is all about making an organized plan of action. In this article, well explore everything you need to know about making college a reality.

    Most parents may find time management difficult because of an obvious imbalance: They often have more responsibilities than hours in the day. Between work and parenting , their free time is so limited it may not seem possible to take on another major commitment like earning a bachelors or masters degree.

    But going back to school may be more viable than you think. And the benefits are tempting. Earning a bachelors or advanced degree can help you learn a new set of skills, position you for a career change or help increase your earning potential. Going back to school can also give you a personal sense of purpose and accomplishment.

    Of course, students who are also parents must be able to effectively manage their time and responsibilities. Here, we outline several time-management strategies to help you reach your educational goals.

    What Are You Passionate About

    Rick Younger @ Boy @RickYounger With all of the talk of kids going back ...

    If you want a complete career overhaul, select a field that has excellent growth potential and that youre genuinely passionate about.

    What are you interested in? said Angel Diaz, senior recruiter at Cubic Corporation. Choose something that you are going to stick to through the end.

    Identifying what it is that you love to do is so critical before you make a move, added Heather Monahan, founder of career mentoring group Boss in Heels and author of Confidence Creator. Journaling can be a fantastic tool to help you see what it is you like to do with your free time. If you are someone who loves to paint but is stuck at a computer running numbers all day, it isnt shocking you are considering making a move. Discover what your superpower is and lean into it.

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