9 Ways to Get Back on the Study Track as an Adult Student

by Robyn Tellefsen

If you've been out of the classroom awhile, chances are your study skills are not up to par. But that's not a reflection of your intelligence - even the smartest students struggle as they work their way back into the school groove. If you're an adult student preparing to go back to college, consider these tips to get your study skills up to snuff.

1. Set a schedule.
Create a study schedule for yourself and consider it a sacred commitment. Plan other activities around this time instead of the other way around.

2. Pick a study spot.
Study on campus if at all possible so you'll be less likely to get distracted by the adult student's "tyranny of the urgent." If you do need to spend your scheduled study time at home, create a home office or camp out in a quiet, low-traffic area.

3. Form a study group.
In addition to dedicating yourself to solo study time, form a study group with a few other adult students who are driven to succeed. You can help each other make sense of difficult concepts and motivate each other to stay on track.

4. Make the most of every moment.
Learning can take place outside planned study times, too. Whether you're on the bus, in the doctor's office, or on line at the store, you can review notes and flashcards and make learning a regular part of life.

5. Get help.
Many colleges offer learning centers and other support services to help adult students polish rusty study skills and get back in the classroom habit. When you're going back to college, it's wise to take advantage of any time management, note-taking, and tutoring sessions available.

6. Seek accountability.
Enlist the help of academic advisors to help you stick to your studies. When your confidence and motivation are lacking, they can encourage you to persevere and keep your goals in sight.

7. Secure the support of family and friends.
Of course, your school is not the only source of accountability - when you share your goals and deadlines with family and friends, they can ask you whether or not you've completed your assignments each day. This personal support system can keep you from getting lost in the college crowd.

8. Take the pressure off.
Going back to college is a major transition, so don't pressure yourself to get it right from the get-go. Be patient with yourself and with the process. New habits and study skills take time to master.

9. Be realistic.
There may be days when you get behind in your studies, but don't lose hope. It's normal to experience setbacks and fall off the study wagon. When you do, just dust yourself off and get right back on.

With all the other responsibilities you're juggling as an adult student, you might not be able to maintain a single-minded devotion to your schoolwork. But when you make studying one of your top priorities, scholastic success may be well within reach.