Check out this article from the Huffington Post about Priscilla Santiago of Bridgeport, Connecticut. She went to college at the age of 63 after being laid off from her job as a forklift operator. This woman's story and attitude are so inspiring. She shows how you can reinvent yourself at any age. She now works in social services and wants to help others to find opportunities to change their lives.

Many of you are in your first week of a new semester. This can be a confusing time. There's always a learning curve when getting used to new things. Even if this isn't your first semester, you may find yourself questioning whether your schedule is working for you or if you could have made better choices. You may think you're in over your hear with a certain class or be intimidated by a strict professor. Dropping a class isn't always the best solution, but sometimes it may work in your favor. Here are some things to think about before dropping a class.

Do You Need It for Your Major?

Before dropping a class, it's important to take a look at your curriculum. Many courses are electives and are not necessary to meet graduation requirements. However, some are essential and must be taken. If the class you're worried about is needed for your major and you have no intention of changing your program of study, it;s probably a good idea to stick with the class. Who knows? You may end up getting a grasp of the material or deciding that the professor isn't really that bad. Worst case scenario, you'll get exposed to the course material and will be better prepared to take the class again.

Will It Affect Your Financial Aid?

Yes, changing your schedule might have an effect on your financial aid eligibility. Often, students who receive financial aid packages are required to maintan a certain number of credits, whether they're full time or part time. Always check with an academic adviser or financial aid representative before dropping a class. You don't want to find out later that you're ineligible for aid without first paying out of pocket to make up for the class that you dropped.

Can It Be Switched for Something Else?

Most schools have what's known as a drop/add period when you can make changes to your schedule without penalty. It's usually during the first week or two of the semester. After that, though you may be able to drop a class, you are unable to switch classes. Check with your professor or adviser to determine how long you have to do a drop/add, then take a look at the class you want to change. If it's an elective, you can probably just choose another course that fits in that particular block. These are the easiest kinds of changes to make and shouldn't have much affect on your curriculum and graduation path.

Will It Take Away from Your Other Classes?

Another consideration is whether the class you're struggling with will likely cause your performance in other courses to suffer. If it's a class you don't need or one that you feel you can take at another time, perhaps in the summer when you can dedicate more time to it, then dropping it might be a good plan. Just be sure to find out whether your graduation path or financial aid will be affected.

What's Going on in Your Life?

Are you struggling with personal or family issues right now? If you are, realize that some things may require your attention. You're only one person; you can't do always do it all successfully. You may need to drop to part time status or even decide to take a semster off. If this is something you're thinking about, be sure to talk to your academic adviser first. Again, you don't want to make a decision that will cause you to lose your financial aid. Most schools have policies in place to help with students who need to take a personal leave, but it's absolutely imperative that you go about it the right way. Make sure you complete all the required paperwork. When you're ready to return to school, you won't have any snags such as money owed or failing grades for classes that weren't attended. For the most part, I never worried about my adult student advisees taking time off. I knew they were dedicated to their studies and would be back.

You'll notice that the one thing that I mentioned throughout these tips is that it's important to talk to someone before deciding to change your schedule in any way. Advisers are paid to be familiar with school policy, and every school has their own rules about course requirements, financial aid and taking time off. Always get help before making your decision.

Whether it's your very first semester or you're a returning student, you may be starting to stress out a little bit right now about the start of the upcoming semester. It's totally natural, as the date approaches, to feel a bit of apprehension. You may wonder if you've got all your materials together, if you're ready for the new courseload or you may even be wondering if you've made a mistake by enrolling in too many classes or by enrolling at all. Now is a good time to take a deep breath as well as take an assessment of some things you'll need to do in order to feel more prepared for a brand new semester.

Image by boxercab

Think of the Possibilities

That's right. I did say, "brand new semester." The term doesn't have to be scary. Sure, you won't be familiar with your new professors and their expectations, but this semester is full of possibilities and opportunities. If this isn't your first semester, just take a minute to pat yourself on the back for your previous academic accomplishment. Remind yourself of the experiences that were a success. The future is wide open, and you're likely to encounter people and classes that will expose you to a whole new set of amazing and valuable experiences. The same thing can happen for you even if you've never set foot on a college campus. Simply reframe things into a situation that applies to you. Take stock of your life and remember any past obstacles you've overcome. Compared to some of those, it's likely college isn't really that intimidating.

Make Schedule Changes

Did you make your schedule last semester? Hopefully, you did because classes often fill up fast. If you're a freshman or sophomore, it's likely you may be last in line to register, and you may not have gotten all of the classes you wanted. Or maybe you're a procrastinator who didn't register at all. Whatever the case, there's still time to sign up for classes or to make last-minute changes. Most schools have academic advisers on-hand between semesters. Just give your advising department a call to set up an appointment. Taking the time to have an adviser glance over your schedule may really make a difference in whether you're happy with your classes and whether you'll be getting the coursework you really need for your major. Remember, college advisers are professionals who help students with their schedules all the time. It can't hurt to have a second opinion on whether things need tweaked a bit. Also, some classes may have opened up due to holds being lifted or student drop outs, it makes sense to look into making schedule changes now, rather than that first hectic week of the semester.

Get Your Books

With so many ways to obtain your books these days, it just makes sense to get this step out of the way early. You could rent textbooks by searching online for sites that provide this service. Just look for references and check to be sure the site has a secure way of accept payment. You may be able to order your textbooks for your campus book store, and you can probably find used books online. Used texts usually sell pretty quickly at the campus bookstore, so you may want to give them a call to see if they have the ones you need. Regardless of the way you choose to go about getting your books, it's a good idea to get them early so there's no chance of not having them once assignments start rolling in.

Consider Contacting Your Profs

If you've made your schedule, take a look and see who your professors are. If you've got the time, it may be a good idea to drop an email or pick up the phone to ask any questions you may have about the class or to introduce yourself. No, it's not brown nosing to make this kind of contact. As an adult student, you know that your education is in your hands. Feel free to take the steps you feel comfortable with in getting the most for your money. Many professors will be impressed that you took the time to reach out.

Take Time to Relax

Hey, don't forget that classes don't start for a few more weeks. You've got some down time. Be sure to enjoy it. Spend time with your family, especially if your kids are on break as well. Get out and do the things you enjoy together, and be sure you get adequate alone time, as well. This kind of time will be hard to find once the semester starts. So be good to yourself. Get things in order for the beginning of the semster, so that you can have the peace of mind to enjoy the rest of your free time.

Wow, the end of the semester is actually here. Where'd the time go? I'm sure you're saying the same thing. With so much on your plate, you may be wondering how in the world you're going to find time to prepare for final exams, nevermind how you'll actually manage to survive them. Trust me, mama, you can do this. Take a deep breath and consider these tips to help you get a handle on your test anxiety during this crazy time.

Schedule Study Time

I've talked before about this aspect of time management, but it's especially important at finals to make sure you've set aside plenty of time for study. Write it down in your agenda or planner, and be sure to stick to it - just like any other appointment. You'll find that you're far less stressed if you know you've got the time set aside.

Break It Down

Decide which subjects are most difficult and tackle those first in your study session, when your energy level is highest. Also, keep in mind that it's impossible to study absolutely everything. Decide which topics are most likely to be on the exams and focus on those. Often, professors will provide you with study guides. Take a moment to review the study guides, highlighting which topics are toughest for you. Breaking things down always makes them seem less overwhelming.

Talk It Out

Believe it or not, saying information out loud helps it to stick better. You're also more likely to get a better understanding by speaking the information. You can do this in a group study session or when you're somewhere by yourself. Don't feel self-conscious. Know that this method will help you to remember things. Consider making flash cards or reading outloud. Also, putting things into your own words is immensely beneficial when it comes to comprehension.

Do What You Gotta Do

As they say, "Desperate times call for desperate measures!" This is true when it ocmes to finals and other hectic times during the semester. Fall semester is particularly difficult during finals week because it's so close to the holiday season. So go ahead and do what you gotta do. If that means putting your kids in front of the TV, so be it. If you have to feed the family sandwiches or takeout for dinner, so what? Now is definitely not the time to play super mom. You aren't any less of a mother by focusing on yourself and your education during this important time.

Make It Clear

Now is also not the time to worry about hurting feelings. Make it clear to your family, your boss and your friends that your extra time will be spent studying. Let them know that your education is important to you and that you'll need to dedicate extra effort to getting through finals week. They'll understand. You give 100% to others. Let them reciprocate. It's okay.

Finally, just remember that finals only last a week. Soon, it will all be over, and you'll be able to enjoy some much-deserved time with your family over the holiday break. Be sure to take some time for yourself, too! Once you've taken that last test, let it all go. Don't stress about how you did. Know that what's done is done. Even poor test performance isn't the end of the world.

Happy holidays to you and yours! What are your plans for the break?

Here are some more resources from sites across the web to help you with finals:

My online friend, Betsy Anne has some great tips at The Non-Traditional Student Blog.

William J. Rappaport of SUNY at Buffalo offers a guide on how to study. He also has some funny comics!

I wrote this post last year at my blog, Never Too Late For College.

When I was an academic adviser, it never seemed to fail that at this time of the semester I would begin to see students coming to my office by the dozens searching for advice on choosing a major. I don't know what it is about this time but it really seems that students begin to focus on what course of study they should pursue right about now. It may have something to do with midterm exams taking place or it could be for a myriad of other reasons. Whatever the cause, now seems to be a time of great anxiety surrounding choosing a major. Let's discuss some ways to tackle the task and lessen the stress.

Take an Inventory

One of the first things I always recommend to students is taking a career inventory. A career inventory is kind of like a test that assesses your strengths, weaknesses and preferences and gives you a list of career types that may appeal to you. Career inventories don't tell you what you should do for a living; they merely produce ideas that may suit you based on your assessment results. Some examples of career inventories are the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory and the Strong Interest Inventory. See your career counselor or academic adviser for assitance in taking and interpreting such assessments.

Talk to Professionals

Once you've got an idea of the kinds of jobs that may fit your personality and strengths, consider conducting an informational interview or job shadowing a professional in those fields. An informational interview is merely a set of questions about a job. Job shadowing is spending a day or more with someone on the job to get a better idea of what such a position entails. You could schedule a meeting in person or even by phone or email. Start by thinking of people you know personally in a particular career and ask them if you could talk to them about their job. If you don't know anyone, perhaps your adviser can help to set you up with a college alumni in your field of interest. You could even check the yellow pages and approach companies with your request. What's important is that you put yourself out there and get personal, relevant information. The more you know, the better decision you will make.

Take an Intro Course

Another great way to learn whether you'd be happy in a certain kind of job is to take an introductory course on the subject. For example, if you're considering a career in business, sign up for an Intro to Business Course. Chances are such a class will count towards your liberal studies credits or can be used as an elective. By taking a class, you'll get firsthand information on a subject and have access to the professor who can answer various career-related questions for you.

What I absolutely do not recommend is deciding on a major right away without researching your career choice or getting some sort of insight into the job. There's so much to consider about your career choice, including the work atmosphere, the amount of interaction on the job, the kind of knowledge expected, etc. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you must choose a major right away or else you risk wasting time and money on college. As I mentioned earlier, many classes count toward your liberal studies credits or as electives, so feel free to take the coursework needed to fill those credits while researching your ideal major.And, most importantly, don't think that just because you're older that you should have it all figured out. Very few of us do!

A very good career exploration model that I've personally worked with is CARISM. I've met the founders and feel it is an exceptional tool for finding out what you're good at and taking every aspect of a job into consideration. I wrote this article about CARISM that summarizes the program and its parts. Check it out, and feel free to ask me any questions you may have!

Test anxiety isn't just experienced by kids. In fact, it can be intensified for adults who've been out of the formal education setting for some time. Just because you're a grown-up doesn't mean you don't get nervous about things. Some adult students feel like they have to have everything under control in their lives simply because they're the head of their family or at a particular position in life. This mindset couldn't be further from the truth. Here are some ways to tackle test anxiety and move on toward college success.

photo by bark (He's obviously not a college mom, but I know we've all felt the way he looks!)

Be Prepared

Nothing can reduce test anxiety better than being prepared. We all know that. But how can you ensure you'll be ready for the big exam? While there are no guarantees, taking time over a few weeks to review the test material and read over your notes will improve your chances of retaining the information come test time. Things are often hectic in the lives of adult students. Find your best time of day to schedule regular study sessions and stick to them, and before you know it, you'll be feeling confident and prepared for almost any exam.

Practice Mind Over Matter

So often we talk ourselves into thinking the worst, telling ourselves we can't do it or we're not prepared. We may even find ourselves thinking that we're too old. Banish that negative self-talk! You've got the life experience and skills to succeed. Remember a time when you accomplished a difficult goal and use the memory of that past success to propel you forward. Also, consider the worst case scenario. What is the worst that can happen if you go in there and do your best, but the results aren't what you were hoping for? Chances are you can redeem yourself with the next exam. Worst case scenario, you may have to retake the class. Many school policies allow a course to be retaken without penalty, and repeat exposure to the information will increase your understanding of the material. You'll be fine.

Deal With It

There are even some proactive measure you can take the day of  and during the test to deal with test anxiety. Get plenty of sleep, have a good breakfast and exercise. It may seem obvious, but taking care of yourself physically will do wonders for your emotions as well. Arrive at class early and practice some deep breathing to get yourself in the right frame of mind and to be sure you're not rushed. Look over the exam to get a feel for how long it will take you to complete. You don't want to spend too long on one section, so go ahead an move on if there are any questions you feel stuck on. Don't hesitate to ask the instructor if you have questions or if things are unclear. You don't want to lose points due to a misunderstanding. Write down hints or formulas in the margins to help you remember important information. Also, fill in any information you know, even if you know you haven't answered a question in its entirety. Partial credit is better than none at all. Finally, don't worry about how quickly others are finishing. Take all the time you need to feel confident that you completed the exam to the best of your ability.

These tips should help you to feel more confident in taking on a big test or exam. If you feel that you are overly anxious or just aren't coping well with the thought of exams, please head to your school's academic advisement or counseling center for help. You're in charge of your educational success, and you can do it!

Community colleges are a phenomenal educational choice for busy adults. Classes are offered at various times, you can often find one close to home and the price is usually much less expensive than four-year institutions. Some people may worry that the quality of education is not as high at community colleges as that of traditional schools, but the truth is, the majority of community colleges require similar accreditation to four-year schools. And if you're looking for a specialized degree in a technical or industrial field, the education received at community colleges is often top-notch, offering the newest equipment, devices and technology.

In addition, a community college education is versatile. Working with your academic adviser, you'll be able to choose liberal arts courses that should transfer seamlessly to the four-year school of your choice. If you're not planning to obtain a Bachelor's degree, community colleges offer numerous Associate degrees and certificate programs that can open the doors to the career path you're looking for. As a former community college academic adviser, I may be a little biased, but I truly believe that community colleges provide excellent educational options to the community, particularly to adult students.

Here are some quick facts about community colleges from The American Association of Community Colleges:

• As of January 2011, there are 1,167 community colleges in the U..S.
• During fall semester 2008, 12.4 million students attended community college - 40% full-time, 60% part-time.
• In the 2007 - 2008 academic year, the average age of community college students was 28, with 45% being between the ages of 22 - 39 and 15% who were    40 and older.
• In the fall of 2008, 58% of community college students were women.
• As of fall 2008, community college students made up 44% of all U.S. undergraduates.
• In the 2007 - 2008 academic year, community college students received 46% of financial aid.
• The average academic year tuition for in-district community colleges in 2007 - 2008 was $2,713 compared to $7,605 for in-state, public 4-year schools.

The figures show that community colleges are a popular choice for a great number of students pursuing higher education. It's likely you'll find people just like you with common interests attending these instititutions. The education is affordable, with financial aid that is available. Why not schedule a visit to your local community college and see if it's the right fit for you?

For some reason, we grownups (often women, in particular) have a fear of math. It can be really troublesome when faced with the prospect of taking a formal college math course. Math doesn't have to be scary. It's something we all deal with on a daily basis. Sometimes simply taking some time to refresh your math skills can really boost your confidence.

Fortunately, there's a new book out that addresses the fears adults have about math and helps to reframe our thinking and refresh our skills. Even better, Math for Grownups is free from now until September 10th! Just head on over to publisher's website to download your free copy. I'll be picking mine up for sure, even though my days of math class are behind me.

Taking some time to review a book such as this and to practice some math problems online will likely be a big boost to your confidence as well as your math grade. I've learned through my years as a college academic adviser that repetition is key to learning. So go grab the book and start practicing!

Even traditional aged students get the jitters when it comes to back to school time. So if it's been awhile since you've been in the classroom, you're certainly entitled to be a bit nervous. While going back to school as a parent with home, work or family obligations can be a bit scary, some pre-planning can help you to feel a bit more ready and confident about your new educational path.

Get Your Finances in Order

Money's tight for many of us these days. Be sure you have your financial aid in order before starting back to school. Though it is possible to find last-minute financial assistance, you'll be more likely to qualify for everything you're entitled to if you begin the process early. Whether you qualify for loans, grants or scholarships, you'll feel much better knowing the builk of your education costs are taken care of.  If you could still use a little cash in your pocket, check to see if your campus has any part-time jobs for students or work-study programs, These are often convenient ways to make some money.

Schedule Regular Study Time

Your life is already very full. You may wonder how you'll ever fit time in for studying. You're a mom. You multi-task and time manage all the time. I often recommend that students with kids or other outside obligations build in some study time into their class schedule. Try to avoid scheduling courses back to back. If you leave an hour or more open between classes, you'll have the perfect uninterrupted time to head to the library or your favorite study spot on campus. It's easy to neglect studying when you're tired at the end of the day or frazzled with other obligations. Always have a textbook and notes handy. You never klnow when you may find yourself with a bit of downtime, like while waiting fot the kids to get off the bus or sitting in the doctor's office. Take advantage of small spaces of time. You'll also want to mark down blocks of study time in your daily planner or agenda. This will help you commit to setting aside the time.

Be Prepared to Take Care of Yourself

As the mom, it's your job to take care of the kids and to get everything done. But we all know you're at your best when you take time to recharge your own batteries and do something for yourself. Even if it's just a bubble bath at the end of the day, do something that gives you pleasure and allows you to relax. Especially at the beginning, when you're adjusting to your new life as a student, you'll need to be kind to yourself. Try not to pull all nighters studying or catching up on chores. You'll need your sleep in order to have the energy to tackle your very full life. Eating well and keeping up with regular doctors' appointments are important as well. Don't forget to take care of you, mom!

Recruit Help and Get the Family Ready

Enlist the help of your family and friends when it comes to adding college to your life. You don't have to do it all. Being super mom isn't going to be beneficilal to anyone in the long run. Be sure to explain to your family that you'll need their help with things around the house. Try to give them a bit of a heads up about what to expect. Tell them you will need lots of study time and give them concrete ideas of how they can help. Explain to them why getting your degree is important to you and how it will benefit everyone. Your friends will also need a little schooling on what it takes to be a college mom. They'll have to understand that you may not have as much time for doing things with them. Sometimes our friends aren't as supportive as we'd expect. If that's the case with one of your good friends, don't letit bring you down. Keep your goals in mind and let your friend know that your education is high up on the priority list right now.

These are just some tips to keep in mind when you're just starting out on your back to school journey. Please let me know if you have other questions or would like more information. Each of these topics could be a blog post of their own. I'm happy to expand upon them. Also, check out these sanity saving back to school tips from ELearners for some great advice on other ways to get ready for the school year.