Online learners overcome fears of returning to college

第一部分:时间和年龄

It’s natural to fear new things and changes; deciding to return to school is no exception. 在最近的一系列采访中, 阿拉莫大学 students shared with us their biggest concerns about returning to college and the ways they’ve overcome their fears. Despite their diverse histories, many students shared two common fears: time and age.

安吉拉·多明格斯，东北湖景大学的学生他对是否尝试在线学习犹豫不决. 尽管事业有成，她还是担心自己太老了. 她的股票, “I’ve had a couple of people in my life make comments like, “你太老了，不能再上学了. 你不会成功的.”

St. 菲利普大学的学生瓦伦丁·卢塞罗, who became a first-time college student after spending 25 years in the workforce, feared that he’d be unable to grasp the new technology needed to succeed in online learning.

对其他人来说，一阵阵的不安全感浮出水面. 离开学校的时间越长, the more insecure they felt before enrolling and during their first semesters.

Madora比安科, 西北维斯塔大学的学生, 股票, “One of the biggest reasons I didn’t come back was because I felt like a huge failure after the last time I left school. 我对此有很多不安全感. Why would I waste money on it because obviously, I’m going to fail?”

理性与否, 这些恐惧是真实存在的，阻碍了学生的学习, 然而,, 比如这些学生, 你仍然可以克服它们. 

要知道你能胜任这份工作，也有相应的技能.

Although you may have been out of school for some time, 你有生活经验, 这是可以转让的. 相信自己拥有成功所需的技能. Online learning is an opportunity to apply and enhance those skills. 例如, Madora比安科 rediscovered her willpower when she enrolled and became an online student.  Being a student is an opportunity to use your perseverance, your dedication, and your courage. As 西北维斯塔学院 student Ashley Terrell 股票, “Success happens on the other side of uncomfortable—just go for it.”

设定自己的节奏，制定自己的计划.

Take one or two classes at a time to ease into being a student. 例如, 马多拉·比安科指出, “It’s been kind of nice to be able to take a class or two and slowly scale myself up to the point where I can actually be a functional student.“所以要自己做主，制定自己的计划.

Use the experience you’ve gained from the workforce in your courses.

例如, you’ve likely learned many “life skills” such as discipline, 组织, 和沟通, 所有这些都可以帮助你的在线课程. Whether communicating with instructors or classmates or dedicating time to your schoolwork, you have durable skills to apply and ensure your success. Use what you’ve learned in life and apply it to school!

提醒自己你的长期目标, whether you want to expand your professional opportunities or set a positive example for your children.

詹妮弗·佩雷斯, 帕洛阿尔托大学的毕业生,  股票, “I was thinking that I needed something to leave for my children. I wanted to show my children that it didn’t matter how old you were or when you went to college as long as you went.”

一步一步来，寻求帮助.

允许自己寻求帮助! Use the resources at our five 阿拉莫大学 and in your life as you make this transition. From enrollment coaches to academic advisors to compassionate, knowledgeable instructors to family members who want you to succeed, 了解并利用你的支持系统.

While you might feel too old or that too much time has passed know that neither is true. 其他人已经克服了这种恐惧，你也可以!