Study Tips for Non-Traditional Students

I have been in school for a long time. With over four years of college under my belt and plans for graduate school in the near future, I have learned what it takes to succeed in the college classroom. I know that this environment can seem intimidating, especially to the non-traditional student who may have sincere doubts about their abilities as a student, but I hope that these tips will give you an edge in the classroom and dispel the myths you are likely to encounter.

Age Difference
First of all, if you want to succeed, you will need to tackle your first and most obvious hurdle. Allow me to shed some light for you on the topic though. The age difference will probably be more awkward for you than your peers. If you act like it is not an issue, no one else will. Focus on what you have in common with your peers, like homework assignments, instead of focusing on the differences, like pulling out pictures of your children, at least during the first few weeks. Also, make yourself available for conversation. Show up about ten minutes early and take your time leaving. This is the prime time for conversations about the class and often those conversations grow into more personal friendships. Once you have a friend or two in the class, you will not feel as self-conscious about the age difference.