Minty Gal

Continuing higher education is a fantastic choice for anyone wanting to advance their career, change their career, or gain experience in something new. However, pursuing higher education can be overwhelming, whether you are trying to go back to college, university, vocational school, or any other form of post-secondary education. That is why I have compiled five tips that will dissipate that college stress and help you get the most out of your college experience! 

1: Stop comparing your journey to others! 

When continuing college, comparing yourself to others can be pretty easy. You’ll see others who may look like they have their life and goals in order, or maybe even students who enrolled right after high school. These things might discourage you and make you feel like you are too old or different to pursue college. While it is true that higher education isn’t for some people, do not let these superficial reasons be the reason for you! There is no such thing as being too old or too different for higher education. You belong and are deserving of attending the same classes as everyone else. 

Plus, don’t feel alone! Everyone’s journey is different; millions of students have enrolled in post-secondary courses. In fact, a case study by the National Center for Education Statistics concluded that the total national enrollment for the fall semester was around 19,744,000 in 2020, with the projected number for 2024 being closer to 19,926,000 students (NCES, 2021). If you are planning to enroll in college, remember that millions of students have enrolled as well, and you are far from the only student continuing their education. 

2: Get to know your campus and resources! 

Depending on the school and program you are enrolled in, you may have on-campus classes or distance learning/online classes. Both are completely amazing and valid ways to learn and grow your skills! However, accessing help and any other support you may need will vary depending on your class type. 

If you are on campus, your resources will be in person. This means you should take note of what different halls have and which rooms you will be frequenting. Many universities have tutoring programs, math and writing labs, academic advisors, libraries, and lounges where study groups can meet freely. Making note of these things and taking advantage of these resources will only benefit you, especially if you are struggling or find anything particularly challenging. Professors also have offices and office hours, usually listed on the syllabus for the class. This will be something else you should take note of as well, as getting direct help from a professor can be the best resource. 

If you are a distance learner or in an online program, your resources will be mainly virtual. This means that you have to keep a record of emails, phone numbers, and addresses to campus halls, staff, professors, and advisors. You should also familiarize yourself with Zoom and Google Meets, as these are some of the programs most often used to host a video conference. You will often meet with staff, professors, and even other peers through video conferences, so investing in a sturdy pair of earbuds or headphones will be crucial. 

3: Keep Yourself Organized! 

This tip may seem obvious, but it is crucial to your success. A planner with a calendar will be your best friend as the year progresses and gets more intense, especially when due dates for multiple classes start to overlap. Good time management skills will help alleviate the stress of balancing multiple classes, leading you to be a successful student. Getting the most out of your college experience includes having enough time for your priorities, and you will get nothing out of getting stressed and burnt out quickly! I recommend a small planner that can fit in any bag or purse- a large planner is good to have at your desk, but it will be a hassle always to carry around. 

4: Don’t be afraid to ask questions! 

Asking questions during a lecture can be tough. You may not want to interrupt the professor, you may not want to look like you weren’t paying attention, or you may just be too anxious to speak up in front of others. All of these reasons are understandable, but it is important to ask questions and understand the material. If you can, raise your hand or unmute when you have a question to ask. Your professor will not mind stopping briefly to clarify for you and will love that you are actively listening in their class. If this idea is a little too much for you, that is okay! Make sure to take note of your questions and ask them after class or email them at a different time. I greatly encourage you to ask your questions either during or after class, though, as most professors look favorably to students who participate and may even have a separate grade for participation. 

5: Know your limit! 

The absolute worst thing to do is to overwhelm yourself with too many responsibilities and priorities. This is especially true when you enroll in college courses, as you are most likely balancing personal priorities and job priorities, all on top of academic priorities. Do not bite off more than you can chew; take your time with your program. Your education is your journey, it is not a race. You do not have to rush to complete anything or overwhelm yourself with too many classes. Overwhelming yourself and scoring low in classes can be detrimental to your GPA and make your college experience more expensive, as retaking classes is not free. It will benefit you and make your experience 100 times better if you pace yourself in school and attend on your own terms. 

Going back to college doesn’t have to be daunting; keeping these five things in mind will only strengthen your skills and improve your academic career. I hope these tips help you with your college experience!