12 Tips for Going Back to (or Starting) Post-Secondary School
Photo by: Element5 Digital // Unsplash
Going back to school, or starting school in the first place, can be a stressful enough time on its own. Add in the uncertainty that pandemic life has created, and things can feel even more overwhelming. Post-secondary, regardless of the level, can be incredibly difficult. It can feel emotionally draining, physically straining, and a lot to process.
School is incredibly close to my heart. I'm a huge advocate for lifelong learning, I've been in school for years myself, I teach at the post-secondary level, and both of my daughters have graduated from both college and university... in other words, I’m no stranger to the topic. Over the years, I’ve found tips and tricks to help you manage this time in your life, and I’m here today to share them with you. Here are 12 tips for going back to (or starting) post-secondary school. These tips will help you form the tools you need to stay on top of your studies and to take care of your needs through your time.
Also read: What You Need to Know About Lifelong Learning
12 Tips for Going Back to (or Starting) Post-Secondary School
1. GET FAMILIAR WITH THE LAYOUT AHEAD OF TIME
Whether you’re new to the school, or you are in your final year, familiarizing yourself with the layout ahead of time can be a great way to calm your back-to-school nerves. If your classes are in-person, see if your school is on ClassFind or Google something equivalent for your school. ClassFind gives you turn-by-turn walking directions (with pictures) to help you find your class. If you can’t find your school on ClassFind, try going to campus ahead of time to locate your class in a less stressful environment. It may help to alleviate first-day jitters or the stress of showing up late.
If your classes are online, take some time to look into what software you’ll need the night before. Do you have everything installed on your computer? Do you need to practice using it or a refresher on what to do? Be kind and patient with yourself as you learn, or possibly re-learn how to use it.
2. TRY TO ACCESS YOUR TEXTBOOKS EARLY
This is something I used to do and would encourage my kids to do as well. If it’s available to you and possible with your funding, try to get your books earlier than you need them. It allows you to flip through the content or even read a chapter or two ahead of time to familiarize yourself with what’s to come. If this isn’t accessible to you, try to use the resources you have available to you. Try looking up the book online (you may even find a free digital copy instead!) or spending some time after class when you get it to go through the content. Additionally, another option is to spend time really familiarizing yourself with the syllabus. It will give you a good overview of what’s to come.
3. REACH OUT TO THE PROFESSOR EARLY
This may feel a little uncomfortable for some, especially if you’re an introvert, but try to take a minute to introduce yourself to the professor after class or during office hours. Your professor is there to teach you and help you, and you’ll likely have a much easier time going to them if you’ve already formally met.
4. RESEARCH DIFFERENT SERVICES AVAILABLE
We’ve all been there - trying to find something when you need it is substantially harder than when you don’t. Take time to explore the different services available to you on campus, even if you don't need them at the moment. These services can include (but aren't limited to) mental health services, security, and careers. Find out where they are and how to access them if you need them. You’re likely going to be still paying for these services whether you use them or not, so it’s not a bad idea to just check them out.
5. GET ORGANIZED
Staying organized while in school is crucial. Halfway through the semester when you’re in the middle of midterms and have papers due in every direction, things can quickly feel overwhelming. Find a calendar that works for you, with both a monthly spread and a daily and/or weekly spread. For some, this could look like a large dry-erase wall calendar where you can see all of your due dates laid out, and a smaller day planner for planning out your day. Others may prefer to keep things digital by using their phone calendar and the reminders app. Do what works for you, and adjust when needed.
6. MOVE UP YOUR DUE DATES IF YOU’RE BUSY
Due dates can feel incredibly stressful, and when we’re busy we may feel a huge sense of lack of control. One good way to give yourself back a sense of control is to give yourself a new due date. For example, if you know that you have a major paper due on a Saturday, but you also know you work every weekend, move your own due date up to Wednesday. This only works well when you’ve mapped out your due dates ahead of time and aren’t doing a group paper. When done correctly, this can help with your time management (since you need to be on top of your due dates) and can even help you reduce your stress (since you're actively picking a date that works for you).
7. DON’T BE AFRAID TO HIRE A TUTOR
A lot of us struggle with asking for help or admitting that we need help. I am here to remind you that you are likely paying a lot of money to go to school and deserve to get the most out of your education. Many courses offer free tutoring (group or individual) to help you with the content. If your course doesn’t offer this, ask around and see if anyone would like to form a study group. Not only is this a free option, but it’s also a great way to meet people and learn more.
8. RESEARCH FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Apply for as many grants and funding opportunities as possible. There are tons of pathways to success, sometimes you just need to look for them.
9. PRACTICE SELF-CARE
Self-care is incredibly important, especially during times of high stress or anxiety. Make sure you’re taking care of your needs. Prioritize sleep, eat well, try to get outside, move your body in a way that feels good, and make time for the things you enjoy. While school is temporary, you’re still building habits that will carry you through life. Make yourself a priority and remember to care for your needs.
10. ESTABLISH HEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS
Things will likely get stressful, you’ll probably feel tired at times, and you may experience fear and anxiety, among other things. Make sure you are establishing healthy coping mechanisms. One way to do this is to establish routines ahead of time to care for your mental and physical needs and to make a plan for the times you’re struggling a little more. For example, a habit you could form could look like going for a 10-minute walk every morning before you start your day. Getting a little fresh air and moving your body first thing in the morning can be a great way to feel good and clear your mind. However, on days you’re feeling a little more stressed or anxious, maybe your 10-minute walk turns into a 20-minute walk. Or, maybe you spend more time journaling, meditating, dancing in your room, talking with your friends, or seeking out mental health services. The goal is to have a plan in place, but remember to listen to your needs when things come up.
11. DON’T BOTTLE UP YOUR FEELINGS
To build off my last point, don’t bottle up or downplay your feelings. School can get really overwhelming at times, and it’s okay to feel the impacts of that. Part of establishing healthy coping mechanisms is to find a safe person to talk to. This could be a counsellor at school, or a family member or close friend that you trust. Another good way to release your thoughts and feelings is by writing them down. Whatever you decide, just make sure you’re doing it in a healthy manner.
12. DON’T BE AFRAID TO REDUCE YOUR WORKLOAD
There is no timeline for success. I repeat, there is no timeline for success. You do not get an award for finishing your degree quicker than someone else. If you finish it in 4 years, that’s great. But if it takes you 7, that’s okay too. Time will pass regardless, and in 20 years it really won’t matter if it took you a couple more years to finish. But what could make a difference is how you speak to yourself. If you’re constantly telling yourself you’re a failure or try to push yourself to do things that aren’t working for you, then you’ll be filled with guilt and may struggle to keep going. Trust yourself, trust the process, and trust the timing of your own life. It will work out when it’s meant to.