Preparing For College As An Adult

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Preparing for college as an adult (I mean no disrespect to students fresh out of high school) has its own challenges. Along with the issues that all students must prepare for the adult has even more to worry about. Such as child care, a mortgage, a supportive or unsupportive spouse or partner and possibly even a full time job.

Preparing For college as an adult check list:

  • Choosing Your Major. As an adult you are less likely to want to get your PHD in Religious Dance which is not going to get you a good job to make your life and that of your family easier. Do not take the word of a for profit college recruiter about a job opportunity. Call perspective employers in the field you are considering and ask them about demand in that field as well as pay and educational requirements.
  • Compare Schools. Make sure to check online colleges, community colleges as well as state universities. Ask each institution about cost, scholarships, length of program. Also make sure that any program you attend is regionally accredited so that its credits can transfer later if you so desire.
  • Get your family on board. It is important to have your family behind you as you prepare for college. You will need to discuss with them childcare, your study time and how they can help out. It is also important to listen to them because getting divorced while in school can be slightly stressful. As well as setting time for school and homework you need to have time set aside for the family.
  • Organize your finances. First, go to the school and talk to a financial aid advisor as soon as possible. Pell grants and student loans can take longer than you expect and if there is a problem with your paperwork you need time to get it fixed. Second, get a budget together. Know where every penny is going. This is especially important if you find out later that you can only handle working part time or not at all. Try to pay down debt and avoid big purchases (like a car) before starting school. If you have a huge SUV with an equally large payment you should consider selling it and paying cash for a small car.
  • Prepare your employer. Are you going to keep working? Do you need to go part time or at the very least have certain days off to attend class? The sooner you talk to your employer the better(unless he/her is an A--). You may also want to find a job that is slow and where you can study on the job. Some night shift jobs allow you to study.
  • Have reliable transportation. Although I do not recommend buying a new car before starting school I do recommend having a plan and a back up plan to get to campus. Whether it is a bike, a bus or bumming a ride.
  • Start thinking about time management. One last thing. Think about when you can study. Is it early in the morning before anyone gets up or after they all go to bed? Can you study during your lunch hour? Get a daily planner and write down when you can do what.

    • College Study Skills and The College Success Pack

     
    Copyright 2008 Gene Grzywacz
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