Resuming school can be an adjustment, but there are tools and strategies available that can help adults adjust back into learning environments successfully.
Setting study blocks into your calendar and sticking with them. Establish an environment that supports concentration, whether that be instrumental soundtracks or the sound of coffee shops bustling away in the background.
Create a Study Routine
Adult learners face unique difficulties juggling work, family, and personal obligations with academic studies. To avoid procrastination or burnout from this lifestyle choice, adult students need a sustainable study routine in place.
Start small by setting achievable daily tasks you can tick off, such as reviewing course materials in Canvas and making a study outline, to give yourself a sense of achievement and maintain motivation to continue moving forward with your studies. Doing this will provide a boost of energy that may keep you on the journey towards academic excellence!
Assess your current commitments and determine how much time can be devoted each week to studying. Schedule your study sessions into your calendar just like any other work or family obligations; this will reinforce their importance and make sure that they become part of your regular life routine.
Create a Family Calendar
As an adult learner, balancing family responsibilities and schedule can be a considerable challenge. Create a dedicated study space within your home and establish a routine that allows for uninterrupted focus. Take breaks (such as going for a quick walk outside or having some coffee) during long study sessions in order to avoid becoming burned out and give yourself enough rest time between studies sessions.
Numerous colleges provide student success workshops or mini-courses designed to get adult learners back into an academic mindset. These programs typically run during summer vacation or prior to classes beginning each fall and can offer important tips on studying, writing papers and managing coursework.
Encourage your learner to reach out for support among other students in their program and join a student club or social group for extracurricular activities. Connecting with like-minded classmates who share similar struggles balancing school, work, and family life can provide comfort as well as boost motivation.
Prioritize Your Responsibilities
Returning to school for adult learners often means making sacrifices between work and school obligations; creating a schedule which allocates enough time for classes, studying and other responsibilities can help make life easier for adult students.
Remind them to remain focused during study sessions by eliminating distractions like TV and phone use. Consider various study settings like cafes or libraries in order to see which setting best facilitates concentration.
Encourage them to utilize all of the school resources available to them, including writing tutors and career counselors, student success mini-courses or workshops (often free), to regain student mindset before beginning classes.
Take Advantage of Your School’s Resources
Adult learners should make use of every resource available to them at school. Schedule apps can help students stay aware of class times and due dates while entering personal and work commitments as needed.
Adult learners need to connect with other classmates and form study groups, in order to reduce anxiety about classes, assignments and exams. By sharing experiences among fellow learners and discussing them together can reduce anxiety significantly.
Encourage your learner to enroll in a low-residency or online program that enables them to study at their own pace and schedule, making balancing work, family and school obligations simpler. It is an especially good choice for adult learners who may find it more difficult to commute directly to campus.
Get Support
Transitioning back to school can be daunting, but you aren't alone. Reach out to other students in your classes and broaden your study network by discussing lessons or exchanging notes to solidify new information in memory, while commiserating about assignments or exams may reduce anxiety levels.
Utilize schedule apps and organizers to develop an effective study routine. Input course syllabi and project deadlines into these apps as well as take into account work and family commitments.
Create a space in your home dedicated to studying and make sure everyone in your household knows that this time should be used exclusively for studying. If unexpected events arise, simply switch your designated study time with another one on the calendar. Studying in an environment free from distraction will increase your odds of success.
