Many students begin college only to find that the other responsibilities in their lives get in the way. It is not uncommon for students to later decide that a college degree is important to their success. If you are thinking about finishing a college degree you started a long time ago, there are some steps you should take to ensure that you are prepared for beginning college anew. Before long, you'll on track to earning the college degree you need to get started on what you wish to accomplish in your life.
Your first step as a returning college student should be to evaluate where you are so far. Perhaps you took a couple of courses in community college, or maybe you were only a semester away from completing your degree. People find themselves having to leave college for many reasons. Rather than dwell on your decision to leave school, think positive. The credits you have earned in the past may still count towards your degree.
You should contact your prospective college about credits you already have so you can determine whether or not they will be accepted. Even if credits that you already have cannot be used towards your major, they may be accepted as elective courses. Even if it was 10 or 15 years since you were last in college, many colleges today will accept your credits in an effort to be accommodating to the large number of adults now returning to school. Some exceptions might be courses in subjects such as computer science, where great advances have been made since you were last in college.
An admissions counselor will be your go-to person to help you as you transfer credits from other institutions to the college where you have decided to earn your degree. He or she will be able to tell you which credits transfer and which do not. If certain credits don't transfer, do not look on them as wasted time. Instead, view them as valuable experience and preparation for the rest of your college career.
If you feel you have been really wronged by an admission counselor, however, you may choose to petition the Dean of Admissions. Courses from your past may be accepted for credit if you are able to back up your argument with evidence that your credits from the past do indeed meet a university's requirements.
Now is also the time to evaluate whether the major you may have been working towards when last you were in college still applies to your life and career goals. Many students find that after taking some time off from college, they have now matured and developed to the point where they have different ambitions. It is perfectly okay to change your major to reflect your new goals.
Finally, it is time to determine what course load you think you can handle as a returning student. If it has been quite a while since you were last in college, you may choose to take things slowly. If you have a full-time or even a part-time job, that is also a good reason to take just one or two courses at a time, at least until you learn to juggle your responsibilities.
Making the choice to go back to school after a break can seem complicated, but don't despair. Before long, you'll be attending classes with more resolute goals and a refreshed state of mind. Keep in mind that online college may be very practical for you.
Your first step as a returning college student should be to evaluate where you are so far. Perhaps you took a couple of courses in community college, or maybe you were only a semester away from completing your degree. People find themselves having to leave college for many reasons. Rather than dwell on your decision to leave school, think positive. The credits you have earned in the past may still count towards your degree.
You should contact your prospective college about credits you already have so you can determine whether or not they will be accepted. Even if credits that you already have cannot be used towards your major, they may be accepted as elective courses. Even if it was 10 or 15 years since you were last in college, many colleges today will accept your credits in an effort to be accommodating to the large number of adults now returning to school. Some exceptions might be courses in subjects such as computer science, where great advances have been made since you were last in college.
An admissions counselor will be your go-to person to help you as you transfer credits from other institutions to the college where you have decided to earn your degree. He or she will be able to tell you which credits transfer and which do not. If certain credits don't transfer, do not look on them as wasted time. Instead, view them as valuable experience and preparation for the rest of your college career.
If you feel you have been really wronged by an admission counselor, however, you may choose to petition the Dean of Admissions. Courses from your past may be accepted for credit if you are able to back up your argument with evidence that your credits from the past do indeed meet a university's requirements.
Now is also the time to evaluate whether the major you may have been working towards when last you were in college still applies to your life and career goals. Many students find that after taking some time off from college, they have now matured and developed to the point where they have different ambitions. It is perfectly okay to change your major to reflect your new goals.
Finally, it is time to determine what course load you think you can handle as a returning student. If it has been quite a while since you were last in college, you may choose to take things slowly. If you have a full-time or even a part-time job, that is also a good reason to take just one or two courses at a time, at least until you learn to juggle your responsibilities.
Making the choice to go back to school after a break can seem complicated, but don't despair. Before long, you'll be attending classes with more resolute goals and a refreshed state of mind. Keep in mind that online college may be very practical for you.