Four Tips for College Students Heading Back to School


Back-to-school time can bring the melancholy of summer’s end but also the excitement of progress toward learning and career goals. If students are returning to the classroom after a long break from learning, the change can bring unique transition needs. WGU Ohio Chancellor Dr. K.L. Allen offers four tips for successfully managing the back-to-school transition for colleges students of all types—online and in-person. With WGU Ohio starting its new online academic terms every month, “back-to-school” is a year-round process for WGU Ohio students, and Dr. Allen’s advice is rooted in plenty of good experience.

“A student-centered university model like WGU Ohio’s means we start new terms when students want to start them, which is usually “right now.” So, we don’t make them wait months or years to start their program. WGU Ohio has new terms starting every month and that means we know a thing or two about the transition of going back to school. We see it all year long. That’s experience I’m glad to share with all students, regardless of where they learn,” said Dr. Allen.

• You’re not alone. Whether someone is a returning student continuing a program, going to college for the very first time or returning to school after a long time in the workforce—rest assured that there are plenty of other students thinking and feeling the exact same things. Concerns about juggling schedules, preserving time for work, family and self-care and practicing good study skills are nothing unique. Listening to others, sharing thoughts and simply drawing strength from knowing others are right there also can help students better manage what they’re going through.

• It’s ok to ease back into the swing of things. College instructors are seasoned pros and know what students are going through. It’s ok to ask them for help and for a little extra time to get up to speed. If students are going back to school after several years off, they should keep their class loads light at first. Whether they are studying online or sitting in a traditional classroom, they should get comfortable with the learning routine. Like most returning students, there are other obligations to juggle. Don’t let the classroom routine be overwhelming. It’s ok to keep time for other needs and instructors will help. Just ask.

• Lean on your team. Family, friends, coworkers and other mentors are great resources who can and will help students make the transition back to school, regardless of if they’ve been away for a summer or a decade. Every university has a range of resources and support tools to help. For example, WGU Ohio pairs each student with a Program Mentor who provides information necessary for success, but also serves as a student’s personal cheerleader.

• Finally, take time to get ready. Students can avoid the panic of suddenly being overwhelmed by taking just a little time to see what’s coming. Understanding class schedules, assignments and responsibilities helps avoid surprises. Also, students shouldn’t wait to the last minute to look at costs and their budgets. They should also see if they can get credit for skills they already have. It can save money and let students move ahead faster.

“Regardless of where students choose to study, I think they benefit from giving themselves the freedom and time to adjust, communicating with their other students and their instructors, leaning on their personal relationships and their college’s resources and preparing in advance,” said Allen. “Our futures are written by the education choices we make, so doing education in the way that sets us up for maximum success is worth thinking about. It pays dividends that help us be more successful in whatever we do.”

About WGU: WGU was established in 1997 by a partnership of 19 state governors to offer students, particularly adult learners, the chance to go to college while working and caring for their families. In 2018, Ohio became the eighth additional state to partner with WGU, part of efforts by policymakers to close Ohio’s skills gap with a new pathway for adults to seek careers in such in-demand careers as teaching, healthcare and nursing, business, and information technology. Today, approximately 4,300 students are enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at WGU Ohio.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More College/
University Information:

Related Articles

Online Degree Tips - Your Guide To Online Degree Programs
Is an Online Business Degree Right for You?Deciding if an online business degree is right for you is an easy task. With the wide selection of programs, flexibility and personalized formatting, an online business degree is a great choice for any one new to the business world or those that are very experienced but looking to learn more.
College Roommates: Threes A Crowd
It's hard enough sharing a dorm room the size of a postage stamp with one person, but what happens when your roommate consistently invites friends and dates to hang out too? Even if you all get along, it can get old fast. Sometimes you just want a little privacy.
Caribbean Single Market and Economy - Who Says UWI isn't Doing Enough?
The University of the West Indies (UWI) has often been viewed as a long-standing partner to Caribbean Governments in fostering integration and development of our people, and forming strategic alliances.CARICOM member states are now considering the establishment of a single market economy.
How to Find Money for College Education
Many current and future college students need help to pay for college. Especially with tuition rates going up every year, students are looking for ways to pay for their college eduction.
Dont Graduate - What Students Should Know About College, But No One Ever Tells Them
For all the students even dreaming about going to college, I have one piece of advice: don't graduate. Yes.
Limperts Academy of Design Opens Interior Design Education / US and Canada
You may be bursting at the seams with natural talent, but if you want to become an Interior Designer in the US or Canada, you need to be licensed by the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualifications). In the past, many individuals may have had the talent but not the financial resources to follow their dream of becoming a designer, but now a window of opportunity has been opened wide by a European organisation called Limperts Academy of Design.
Online Paralegal Degree Preparing You For Employment
In an era when professional opportunities are diminishing, one area where opportunities are certainly expanding is in the field of paralegal work. Consequently, as the practice of law expands, and the need for professional paralegals grows, many argue that there has never been a better time to enter the field of paralegal work.
Distance Education is Now Training the Next Genertation of Medical Assistants
Some people are calling it distance-free learning for the Medical Assistant. Distance Learning happens wherever the learner is most available, free from the traditional boundaries of geography.
Medical Assistant - Medical Assistant Distance Education
Considerations in Distance Education for the Medical Assistant InstructorMedical Assistant distance education is emerging to meet the demands of a new generation of students in the twenty first century. St.
How to Choose the Right School For You
Now that the admission committees have handed you their decisions, it is time for you to choose which college to attend. For some, this choice is easy.
Quality Schools
After presenting these ideas at the NAREN (National At-Risk Education Network) in Wisconsin last week, I was asked to write an article that would be able to reach more people to spread the exciting word about Dr. William Glasser's work in the area of Quality Schools.
Five Questions To Ask A Computer Training School Before Signing Up
As with any field, there are good technical training schools, and bad ones. When you sign up with one of these schools, you've made a significant investment in time and money.
Choose the Delivery Mode for your e-Learning Course
There are so many ways to deliver instruction online that the topic warrants its own lesson. In fact, deciding how you are going to deliver a course is critical to the way that you design and develop the course! Your first decision is whether or not you will deliver the course "live" or in a synchronous mode.
College Study Tips: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Here are some benefits to studying for your college classes the right way: more leisure time, less stress, less pressure from your parents, less debt, better grades, and better career opportunities. Sound worthwhile? That doesn't mean there isn't work involved, but it's how you accomplish the work that matters.
Business and Academia!
The driving factor of any university is to make the students understand the business needs of today and equip them for a better tomorrow. This means there has to be a constant inflow of feedbacks on "what" the business needs today and what it might need tomorrow.
How to Survive First Year Engineering
So you just got accepted in your engineering program?joy, but you are still doubtful. You ask yourself, could I actually handle the stress, the sleepless nights, the solitary life style and the Exams? Well hopefully after reading this guide you might just be able to do so and perhaps without going insane or bald.
The Freshman 15, or 20, or 25
Now I remember being a freshman in college, and let me tell you, there are a couple of key things to keep in mind (that most people don't). One is how to manage your time, another is how to manage your money , and last but certainly not least is how to manage your health (what most don't realize is that all three are closely related).
Saving For College - Your Number Two Priority
In today's highly competitive college admissions process, families must never lose sight of the fact that nothing is more important to parent or child than the student's acceptance to college. Your second priority is how to pay for it.
Distance Learning, Online Education, Electronic Education, Electronic Learning?Call It What You Want
Whatever you want to label "learning at home" and however you want to define the latest buzz words for non-traditional education, you can find a program and method that suits your needs. Right now over 1.
Accredited Online Universities - Getting Good Grades
Taking distance education courses requires more motivation and self discipline than traditional college classes. Being able to work at your own pace can result in you falling behind on your work, if you're not self directed.