Think back to your first day of college. Remember how excited you were to be starting a new chapter in your life? We know balancing school, work and family life isn’t easy and sometimes the stresses of the present cloud the path to a successful future. As you go from term to term, it’s important to keep your eyes on the prize and stay motivated to do your best.
If you’ve taken the steps to start your education, you understand the importance of attaining that education. We’ve compiled a few tips that will help keep you on the path to completing your degree program.
Communicate and ask questions
When there’s a break between school terms, it’s good to take advantage of the extra time to catch up on all of the other demands of life. But it’s hard to give that time up again once classes begin. Westwood suggests you be in contact with your admissions representatives at least twice a week and utilize the personalized services they offer. This makes the transition between terms easier to manage and helps you stay focused on your overall goals.
Westwood’s Success Team – members of the admissions team, student finance office, student support and career services departments – is the first point of contact for students starting the process of becoming “future graduates.” Making that early, regular contact will help you start classes free of stress and will keep you on track to achieve your desired objectives.
Just because you are accepted into a school doesn’t mean your work is done. In fact, to successfully complete a college program, a student needs to take an interest in the administrative processes, ask questions and be committed to following through on your responsibilities as a student – including keeping appointments and properly corresponding with school administrators, faculty members and anyone else helping you to succeed.
Create a support network
Family and friends are a crucial part of your education. If they are aware of your goals for school, they can help you thrive and hold you accountable for accomplishing those goals.
“Seek out a mentor or support system,” said Chantney Stuckey, assistant director of career services for Westwood’s Annandale campus. “Talk to your friends and family about your decision to continue your education and seek out advice from people who can keep you on track.”
You can also build your network while in school so you’ll have connections during terms, over breaks and post-graduation. Establish relationships with fellow students, instructors, program chairs and staff at your school.
Westwood alumnus Peter Garcia said he struggled with being on time to class, “but with the help of my classmates and teachers calling me non-stop to wake me up, I finally made it. I graduated thanks to all those who ever called and asked, ‘Where you at?’”
Make it real
You’re likely to be excited to start school upon your acceptance. Look for ways to keep that excitement going. As you count down the days until classes start again, try to reward yourself with a school-related incentive. Maybe one week you buy yourself a new notebook and the next you stock up on pens. If you can consistently remind yourself of the ultimate goal of earning a degree, the more likely you will be to succeed and take pride in that education.
Debra Brooks, a senior director of student finance, also suggests making lifestyle changes to get your body and mind used to the demands of school – read about your chosen career field, sleep better or work more hours to financially prepare before the term starts.
“Put yourself on a schedule,” Brooks said. “Get your body used to being well-rested and your mind used to being alert during your scheduled class times.”
Start connecting with your new college community. Find your college on Facebook and Twitter, check out videos from the school on YouTube, visit the campus and meet the faculty and staff. You can also look around the school’s website and see if there are testimonials from the graduates – this will give you a good idea of the success others have found and help you envision your future success, as well.
If you can be proactive in keeping yourself involved with all the exciting steps of starting school – and starting school IS exciting – the passion and enthusiasm you felt when you were filling out the application will persist throughout your college journey. And remember, Westwood is here to help you every step of the way.