| With the end of summer approaching and the | | | | is no different from your day-to-day life: getting up, |
| beginning of fall also hailing the start of the new | | | | feeding the dogs, taking the kids to school. Success |
| school year, many students are returning to the | | | | in college is more about a positive mindset and the |
| academic world. We aren't just talking about | | | | drive and desire to earn your degree - everything |
| elementary, middle and high school students here - | | | | else will follow. |
| fall term is beginning for college students, too. Many | | | | One of the most valuable skills you can hone as a |
| students are finding themselves confronted with | | | | returning student is the study skill. Here's the secret |
| another school year and are looking with good ways | | | | to college that many students don't figure out until |
| to cope. | | | | they're almost done: sitting down every night and |
| One of the beautiful things about being an adult | | | | spending some time with the course material is one |
| who's returning to school is that you're not the first | | | | of the best things you can do for your GPA. Study |
| one to do so. Many of the things you're feeling can | | | | skills don't have to involve complicated outlines or |
| seem overwhelming and scary, and sometimes it | | | | thousands of index cards; sometimes simply taking |
| almost seems easier to stop before you've even | | | | the time to absorb, process and understand the |
| started. But remember - you're not the first | | | | material is the best first step you could take. |
| grown-up to walk through those doors to complete | | | | The application process for starting or returning to a |
| your education, and you definitely won't be the last. | | | | college career isn't difficult, either. It definitely should |
| Why let yourself be overwhelmed? | | | | not deter you from getting back to earn your |
| So what is it about school that seems so scary when | | | | degree! Community colleges often have their |
| you're coming back as an adult? One of the major | | | | application process online, and the only forms you |
| fears adults express is nervousness at not fitting in. | | | | have to submit can be faxed. Otherwise, it shouldn't |
| Teenagers and young adults primarily populate | | | | be difficult for you to set up a meeting with an |
| colleges, and it can be easy to psych yourself into | | | | admissions advisor, who can also assist with setting |
| worrying about whether people are judging you for | | | | up your schedule. |
| your age. Shortest explanation: they're not. Instead | | | | The last worry that many returning college students |
| of being so worked up about what others are | | | | have about a college education is the stress of |
| thinking of you, the best way to confront these | | | | paying tuition. The simple fact of the matter is that |
| fears is to focus on yourself first. Everything else will | | | | yes, college is expensive - but there are a number of |
| follow. | | | | federal and private options that are available to assist |
| Another issue returning students grapple with is | | | | you with the costs. College can be affordable, and |
| getting back into the groove of a school schedule. "I | | | | sometimes even the costs greatly reduced, as long |
| can't deal with studying, with exams, with | | | | as you're willing to put the work into finding |
| homework!" they gripe, "I've been out of school far | | | | scholarships, grants and loans. |
| too long!" Fact of the matter is, a scholastic schedule | | | | |