| If you have been out of school a few years, | | | | the library, you have to find an alternative way to |
| returning to college can be challenging. At times, you | | | | get library resources. |
| may feel like giving up, especially if you have a job | | | | Consider your emotional well-being. Leave yourself |
| and a family that need you. Here are a few tips for | | | | some room for exercise, for friends and family, for |
| staying motivated. | | | | fun. Being with people who are upbeat will help keep |
| Set specific objectives for yourself. | | | | you stay upbeat and motivated. |
| Specific objectives not only identify what you want | | | | Involve others. |
| to achieve, but also the activities you will do to reach | | | | You will need help to get through college. Before you |
| the objective. If you want to get at least a C in | | | | plunge in, take time to identify where and how to |
| Math 105, you will have to do your homework every | | | | get help when you need it. |
| day, turn in assignments on time, and seek help with | | | | If English has always been a problem area for you, |
| concepts you do not understand. | | | | you may decide to arrange for help through the |
| Think in terms of semesters.. | | | | campus writing lab before you attend even one class |
| A semester or term is long enough for you to | | | | session. If your work schedule means you cannot |
| develop new habits or try a different approach if | | | | see your math teacher during office hours, find out |
| your original study plan is not successful. However, it | | | | whether the teacher is accessible by e-mail or |
| is not so long that you lose sight of what you intend | | | | identify some other person you can go to for help if |
| to accomplish. | | | | you need it. If the library hours are not convenient |
| Be realistic. | | | | for you, find out how to access the online resources |
| Many goals that younger students can achieve may | | | | so you can make good use of your time. |
| not be realistic for you. Setting out to be a straight-A | | | | Don't forget to involve your family as you set your |
| student is unrealistic for most people. Set objectives | | | | objectives. Maybe you and your kids can study |
| that are challenging enough to make you stretch, but | | | | together. Maybe the family can prepare a weekly |
| not so difficult that you wear yourself out physically | | | | calendar that blocks out study time for you and quiet |
| and mentally. | | | | activity time for your kids. |
| Consider demands on your time. What is achievable | | | | Believe you can. |
| for the 18-year-old living in a dorm may not be | | | | Other older adults have meet the challenge of |
| achievable for a 28-year-old with 3-year-old twins and | | | | returning to college. So can you. If nobody else |
| a 30-hour-a-week job. | | | | encourages you, tell yourself, "I can do this." |
| Consider your financial resources. If you cannot | | | | With encouragement like that, you are bound to |
| afford childcare so you can spend all day Saturday at | | | | succeed. |