Things you need to know about going back to school

The classroom has gone digital.Gone are the days of pencils and notebooks, so in some places, get with the digital age and invest in a laptop. That way, you’ll have notes saved and easily accessible for studying.You will have options.Nowadays, you can opt to school online, sit in a traditional classroom, or take advantage of the blended approach, which offers the best of both worlds.You will be a hot commodity.Professors appreciate students with life experience, especially those who are motivated to work hard and put their education to use.You will need exercise.It may sound counterintuitive to spend your precious free time at the gym now that you’re back in school, but exercise releases endorphins and increases blood flow to the brain, which enables you to work smarter.You may be able to get credit for prior learning.Through prior learning assessment, you may get college credit for experiences such as corporate training, experiential learning, travel, volunteer work, and more.It will be a struggle. Now that you’re an adult with responsibilities other than schoolwork, it can be more difficult to focus on your education. Expect the challenge so you’ll be prepared to work through it.This time around, you will be better at it.When you’re 30 instead of 18, you have a much better idea what you want out of your degree and out of life. You can count on being more driven because you know what you’d like to achieve.You may be eligible for tuition assistance.If your education program is related to your job, your employer may reimburse you for all or part of your tuition, which makes your education goals that much more attainable.Traditional students will look up to you.You have the opportunity to be a role model to younger students who gravitate toward you because of your life and career experience. Be an example to them by persevering in earning your degree.You will need clear goals. As an adult student, it may be easy to give up your education dreams when you get discouraged. That’s why you’ll need to remember exactly what you plan to accomplish by committing this time of your life to studying.You will need to be your own boss.When you were younger, your parents checked up on your grades to keep tabs on your progress. Now you’ll need to assume the adult responsibility of policing yourself.The age range will be diverse.You’ll be surprised at the age range when you go back to school. You may find yourself in a class with students anywhere from 18 to 88 years old (and beyond!)www.collegesurfing.com