How to Prepare Yourself to Enjoy College as an Adult

You will never be too old to go back to school if that's your dream. Today, college students of all ages sit in lecture halls and work in labs and libraries. Do some work in advance and you can walk through the door armed with a plan for a college experience that is perfect for a so-called non-traditional student.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Toss out the concepts of traditional and non-traditional students. Today, students enter college at almost every age. True, the majority of students are between the ages of 15 and 24, but there of thousands of mature, experienced, successful students in college.
2. Identify your goal before you start. Students who can explain their reason for attending college are more likely to be successful in achieving their goal. If you are going back to school to learn the art of jewelry-making, say it out loud.
3. Take stock of where you are in your life. With a good plan, you can be a successful student and raise your children or work full time. You might need to attend school part time and accept that it will take you a bit longer, but you can do it.
4. Get your family involved--your success will be their success.
5. Learn all you can about attending college before you dive in: the cost of tuition and books, the length of the program and the availability of financial aid. You don't want surprises.
6. Select a school, apply for admission, apply for financial aid and get going!

Tips & Warnings

• Pay attention to deadlines. Colleges and universities live by them!
• Be a smart consumer: shop around to find the best fit for you and the best value for your money.

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix
• University of Phoenix, degree Programs to Fit Your Life.