Whether you're going back to get your GED or your PHD, returning to school for the first time after a while can be scary.
If you haven't been to school in years chances are that you haven't heard about distance learning yet. You can now take whole course loads from the comfort of your own home office. For anyone making the transition back to school as an adult, distance learning can lessen the anxiety.
For a lot of people the anxiety doesn't lay in the course work but in the environment... such as being in a class full of 18-22 year olds when you're 34. But when you take online classes, studying distance learning, there is not that awkwardness of walking into a room full of kids. That's a great way to start yourself back into the academic life. Most of the local community colleges offer several classes online.
If you don't think that distance learning is your cup of tea, and you'd rather take the plunge into old fashioned sitting at a desk in a classroom learning, there's hope for you too. Remember that the focus is on the course work.
The first day is always the most difficult. Try to find a seat near the front, so that the teacher will engage you in the class topics. Usually where ever you sit on the first day will end up being your seat for the quarter or semester. Dress nice but casual, just don't dress like an old fogy, or bring an apple for the teacher. And whatever you do don't start a sentence with "When I was your age..." especially to your professor!
When all else fails and you're feeling the anxiety drop down on you, remember to breathe. Deep breaths slowly in and out calm anxiety more than anything else can.
Comments
Well said! It's a bit bizarre walking into a classroom at the local community college and learning alongside folks newly graduated from high school, or even those still in high school dual-enrolled in college to get a head start, but at the same time, it's neat to have the perspective of those people. At that age, I know I had plenty to say on various topics, so striking up conversations with them can be quite amusing, especially as an older person - I find they have more respect for "their elders" than you'd think. And if not? Whatever, you're older and wiser anyway. ;)
I like what you have to say, but I disagree a bit. I feel that most of an adults feelings upon reentering school are much more uplifting. I wrote an article on my blog explaining my point of view and linked to this article as well. www.continuingeducationjournal.com
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