You might want to go back to school as an adult, but being ready to go back is an entirely different story. So how will you know when the time is right?
We met with Alicia McCullar, the Director of Student Success at SNU Professional and Graduate Studies, and got her advice.
“Educational pursuit is a journey. As a first-generation college student, I navigated the journey alone with no financial support or safety net,” McCullar said. Now, she helps students reach their educational goals and find their way to academic and professional success by providing resources, services, and a network of supporters.
Her top tips on being ready to go back to college are to plan ahead, connect with classmates, stay focused on the outcome, and look for support from family and friends.
Sketch out time to study, read, and write. Remind yourself that you deserve this time to focus and work toward your goals.
Your classmates will be some of the most valuable people during your time as a student. They are working toward similar goals, and when you’re tired, sick, or flat-out drained, they will remind you of your purpose and how far you have come.
Keep the end in mind. Remind yourself frequently that this is a journey not a sprint.. Day by day, you will constantly chip away at your goals, and when it finally comes time to put on the cap and gown, you’ll be able to say, “I made it!”
Going to college as an adult is difficult. Share what you are doing with your tribe. Allow people to lift you up in prayers, support you on social media, and help you make arrangements with your children or other logistics. This will help you cross the finish line.
If you choose to attend SNU, prepare to be challenged, stretched, and to succeed by working with our Student Success Team, led by McCullar. Her mindset and dedication to students is part of what earned her the honor of 2019 ACT Oklahoma Postsecondary Champion.
ACT Senior Vice President of State and Federal Programs, Scott Montgomery, said, “Champions represent high school seniors, K-12, postsecondary and workforce professionals across the country who support ACT’s mission of helping people achieve education and workplace success, and have the honor of being selected as the sole champion for their category, in their state.”
Adult students at SNU enjoy the privilege of working with McCullar and the rest of the student success team during their time in college! If you’re considering going back to school, now is the time. McCullar and her team are here to help you every step of the way.