What's Up Blog

Develop a clear routine

The routine you develop either good or bad will follow you throughout your education. Make sure you start to develop a dedicated time frame to not only do homework but also do some research. Going back to school involves lots of reading and that can be very difficult with a house full of distractions. Setting some time aside to go to the school library or if you are going to school online then a public library will help develop good habits to stay a step ahead in your education. If for some reason the options to go out are out of the picture then find a quiet place in the house and either inform everyone to give you some uninterrupted time or wait until everyone falls asleep. The ultimate goal is to start getting use to having homework and research, not only for you but for the people in the house who need to find ways to adjust to the new changes.

Eat healthy snacks while studying

Sitting in front of a computer for a long period of time doing an assignment will make you want to get up from time to time and reach for the nearest snack. I have seen some parents begin to gain weight by reaching for the potato chips or the doughnuts instead of something healthier. I have created a routine where I make myself a cup of tea during my first break of doing an assignment and I also have a bag of baby carrots handy just in case I need a snack. Keep in mind that while working on an assignment you mind will be so focused on what’s in front of you that you forget to reach for a healthy snack so prepare in advance.

Ask for help

People think that asking for help is a sign of weakness and would rather fail a course than reach out and admit that help is needed. Many schools have great programs to help in just about any subject. The most popular subject that has colleges and universities scrambling to hire tutors is math. I have been a math tutor before and I have noticed that many people just need to get past the fear of asking questions. Some of the people I have tutored begin their question with “This may be a stupid question but….” It is the fear of asking that may hold you back from getting the education you need and want so its time to conquer that fear and ask for help.

Let everyone know

When I went back to school as an adult I was afraid to tell everyone what I was doing. For some reason I felt ashamed that I was starting school so late and felt that people would judge me. When I started telling people the opposite was true. People started to congratulate me and encourage me by saying that it will soon be worth it. By letting people know I was going to school helped when I had an assignment to do and yet all my family and friends wanted to go out. They began to understand that going to school was important and were not offended when I had to leave early from a family gathering to catch up on some homework.