cc108d7e39cc45689bf77b49aff9cf782cd608e77646351eab

Five Tips for Mature Students in Higher Education

Plan Ahead: Make sure you choose three personal interests and conduct an informational survey of what your courses will direct you towards. In other words, attempt to figure out branches of interest by reviewing what pathways others before you have taken in your desired field.

Once that task has been accomplished you should have at least five possibilities to review; including University or college programs of your choice that may realize these goals. It doesn't have to be perfect, it just gives you an idea of what to expect.

What's your learning style? We all come pre-packaged with the academic baggage from our past experiences. This may be positive or negative but the key to successful experiences in higher education stems from knowing why you were unsuccessful or successful within previous academic environments. For example; are you a visual learner? This means that you respond best when examples of concepts or delivery of new material is provided visually. This may also mean that examples are in pictorial format and not just in printed form. Are you an auditory learner? For example; do you respond best and understand better if you hear what is being delivered? Do you respond better by writing things down? Taking notes, or having the notes read back to you? All these styles of learning speak volumes in being able to successfully navigate formal academic studies as a mature student learner.

Seek kindred souls on campus: What has also been known to be successful for many mature students is finding like-minded people within your campus environment for study partners, collaboration on projects, or just a smiling face you are familiar with often is extremely helpful and diminishes the feelings of isolation.

Discuss your schedule and needs with family or friends: Quite often many mature students eliminate this part thinking that it is not important for the family to know the schedule; however, caution is suggested with this mode of thinking in that for many, the key to success is often in getting needs met within the home, family, and still being able to nurture our relationships while tackling academics. For others, spouses often feel left out or isolated in their own way due to changes occurring for the mature student with either vocabulary or circumstances that often keep them up late in the evening in order to study. The best way to combat any difficulties is communication. Allowing for family team meetings or just sitting down with your spouse in order to review how the week is going can mean the difference between success, de-escalating of conflicts and a peaceful home life.

Space and Organization: Often mature students need a quiet area in which to work on assignments, projects or collaborate with classmates. This may or may not be in your own home but may also be on your campus. Try to take as little with you as possible and only bring necessary items. If you use a laptop get to know the programs and possibilities your system can offer you before you start your classes. That way you will spend less time trying to navigate a new program when trying to take notes or complete a project. If doing work at home students need to make sure it is not an area that requires much effort to put things away. A good idea for many in a small space is to have a "study box" with handles to put files into or work that is pending. Keep pens, pencils or other office supplies within so it is easily moved from area to area without much effort.

Take Home Message: For all potential students it is a time for excitement, new experiences, and most of all fun. Whether you are a new or returning student, organization is the key to success and may save you hassles in the long run.

We all come pre-packaged with the academic baggage from our past experiences. This may be positive or negative but the key to successful experiences in higher education stems from knowing why you were unsuccessful or successful within previous academic environments. For example; are you a visual learner? This means that you respond best when examples of concepts or delivery of new material is provided visually. This may also mean that examples are in pictorial format and not just in printed form. Are you an auditory learner? For example; do you respond best and understand better if you hear what is being delivered? Do you respond better by writing things down? Taking notes, or having the notes read back to you? All these styles of learning speak volumes in being able to successfully navigate formal academic studies as a mature student learner.

Article Source