Six Ways to (Almost) Guarantee Success in College

Despite amazing technological gains in the last twenty years, adults are working longer and harder than ever before. Thus, many of us in the workforce are a bit reluctant to return to college. We just aren’t always sure we have the time and energy to chase that next degree. The reality is that additional education is within your reach if you just commit to the six tips below.

1. Make the effort to meet your classmates. Whether you choose an online degree program or a campus-based degree program, connecting with others will help you become more engaged. And, dozens of surveys have shown that engagement and academic success go hand in hand.

2. There is no substitute for getting off to a good start. Limiting yourself to six credit hours initially is probably a good idea, as is avoiding any courses with which you expect to have difficulty. After you have had a good semester you can carry a more challenging academic load.

3. Buy your textbooks as soon as possible. Try to start your reading well before the formal beginning of classes.

4. Be sure you get to know and spend time with your academic advisor. Be candid with him or her about your educational objectives, career goals, strengths, and weaknesses. If you do not find your advisor helpful, request another advisor immediately. Do not wait.

5. Obtain the syllabi for your courses as early as you can, and chart all of your major exams and papers on a large calendar. Then, use the calendar to create a daily study schedule that will allow you ample time to complete your assignments on schedule, without undue pressure.

6. Make sure that the important people in your life know you are returning to college. In addition, alert them to the fact that achieving your educational goals will require significant amounts of your time and energy. Be kind but firm about sticking to your academic work schedule. If you tell them what the degree you seek will mean to you, they should understand.

If you adhere to these six rules and approach your return to education with confidence and self-discipline, you are almost certain to achieve your goals.

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