Tips for returning to study as a grown up

Did you make a New Year's resolution to study this year? Perhaps you want to change careers, go for a promotion or like me, you want to keep your brain active while on maternity leave.

Whatever your reason, returning to study can be downright terrifying, especially if you weren't the best student in the past.

As an adult educator, I see students that have concerns such as a fear of public speaking or lack of confidence with technology and others who simply lack the skills to keep motivated and on track. Whether you are heading back to the classroom for face-to-face learning or going it at home via an online provider, these tips will help you build your confidence and achieve your goals.

Organisation and time management
Buy yourself a diary. Right now. Stop reading and don't come back until you have one. 
A diary is a students best friend. Write everything in it. Make sure you include every assignment, workshop and study session. Once you've done that, include your work roster, family activities, social commitments, birthdays, everything! Your whole life should go in there. When you are organised you feel in control. Make it a habit to flick through daily, update anything and most importantly tick of what you have achieved.

Maintain your health and wellbeing
Throw the red gummy bears and energy drink away.
Ensure you give yourself plenty of time to exercise and socialise. Eating well and drinking water are vital to your mental stamina. Looking after yourself is key to feeling motivated and preventing fatigue and burnout from overdoing it.

Build your confidence and technical skills
Remember your teacher has seen it all.
When you enrol in a course, there is a reason they ask you so many questions. The provider is making sure you have the assumed knowledge to successfully complete the course. Speak to your provider about your skill level and any concerns you may have. Often students complete short courses and workshops to close their knowledge gap.

Public speaking is a topic all on its own because so many of you have a genuine fear of speaking in front of others.  I'll post a whole blog post dedicated to this topic really soon but for now my top three tips are posted below.

Top 3 tips for overcoming fear of public speaking

1. Practice out loud to everyone who will listen. (Yes, your dog does count!)
2. Dress in what you feel most confident. For me, this is hair tied back out of my face and a well fitted black blazer. 
3. Utilise professional public speaking services. (Yep, there are that many of us that hate dislike public speaking that there is a whole industry dedicated to helping) 

Make friends

Be the person who says 'you can sit here'.

Whether online or in the classroom, your fellow learners are your number one partners in crime throughout your learning experience. Engage in online forums, organise study groups and discuss your thoughts and opinions on course material. Every learner brings their own set of thoughts, ideas and prior knowledge and this is where the most insightful and deeper learning occurs. In other words, you can really help each other out!

At the end of the day, you have made a decision to better yourself and you should be proud of that. 

I'd love to hear about your stories of returning to study as an adult - regardless of whether you were successful or not. Leave a comment below.