Going to a university to study something you are interested in and passionate about is a rewarding experience in life. Unfortunately, many people don’t get to experience this opportunity while other students do, which is immediately after high school. Going back to college as a non-traditional student, though it can be incredibly rewarding, can also be nerve-wracking for those who attempt it. Here are four things to keep in mind to help you through the early stages of this process to enjoy it and get the most out of the experience.
Stop Being Overly Self-Critical
One of the biggest obstacles most people face, when they go back to school at 25, or older, is self-criticism. Most individuals who have never gone to college feel that they have not lived up to their full potential because of it and end up focusing on their past failures rather than present opportunities. Being surrounded by 18-22 year old students who are attending college at the “right” time in life can make these feelings even worse, as it makes the non-traditional student feel like an outsider in his or her classes. Criticizing yourself for not going to college at an earlier time in your life won’t turn back the clock, so don’t worry too much about it, and instead focus on doing the best you can in your new educational environment.
Try to Make Some Friends
As stated above, being surrounded by people who are much younger than yourself can seem a little intimidating and make you feel excluded. The easiest way to solve this problem is to actually try socializing with these people. When you begin to talk to them, you’ll find out that most of them are actually just as unsure of themselves in their new classes as you are, and much of the pressure will be taken off of you. There’s also nothing wrong with befriending students who are younger than yourself. In fact, this can be a great chance for you to expand your mind by getting different perspectives on various matters from those who see them through a different lens. Excluding yourself from the social aspects of the educational experience just because you happen to be older only robs you of an integral part of that experience.
Realize The Advantages You Have
Believe it or not, going back to school as an older student isn’t all bad. As a non-traditional student, there are some very important advantages that you have over your fellow classmates. For one thing, most non-traditional freshman return to school to study a subject because they enjoy it, rather than purely to get a job. For another, you have a degree of real-world experience and employment history that will tend to put you ahead of many of your classmates in the job market after you have received your diploma or certificate. Being a non-traditional student can also qualify you for many scholarships and financial incentives that do not apply to your traditional classmates. Once you realize that there really are some upsides to coming back to education as an older student, it doesn’t seem quite so intimidating.
Push Yourself, but Don’t go Overboard
Clearly, your decision to go back to school is based on a desire to learn new things and to be able to apply them. As such, you should push yourself to learn as much as you can about your chosen field of study while you are there in order to get the greatest benefit from your education. However, many non-traditional students end up being overly hard on themselves in this department. Being away from an educational system for several years can get you out of the habit of studying effectively, taking good notes in class and implementing other basic academic skills. If you struggle to adjust in the first week of classes, don’t be too concerned about it. Ease back in to education, rather than expecting yourself to pick up exactly where you left off. Adopting this mindset will not only keep you relaxed, it will also help to prevent frustration when you encounter challenges.
Conclusion
Above all, have fun and learn. Going back to school is one of the best and most rewarding decisions a person can make, regardless of whether it is made in order to find new employment opportunities or simply to learn something new. By keeping these simple tips in mind, you can help to give yourself the best start in your studies and avoid some of the major pitfalls that other non-traditional classroom experience.