Going back to school as an adult can seem intimidating. You find yourself in a classroom with folks much younger than yourself, many of whom haven’t fully entered adulthood with its additional responsibilities. However, they may grasp the necessary classroom technology more quickly than you do. 

However, you can’t let your hesitations stand in the way of achieving your goals. Here are five ways to feel successful going back to school. 

1. Find a Mentor 

Maybe you know how to find a mentor in the workplace. Have you considered taking the same approach with your academic studies? The right guide can accelerate your progress in several ways. 

Who should you approach? It’s best if you can find someone who has achieved success in your chosen field. They can speak from experience about what worked for them, suggesting personalized and holistic approaches to get the most from your studies. When you encounter challenges, they can offer resources to help you overcome them. 

Your mentor can also enlighten you about career opportunities in your field. Talk to them about your options and attend networking events that they recommend to engage with others who will value your expertise. 

Roughly 70% of job openings are never advertised, they get filled through word-of-mouth recommendations, so get out there and mingle. A good mentor might even help you get your foot in the door of their present company if an opening arises, and knowing you have a job waiting for your graduation eases stress. 

2. Get Yourself Organized 

Going back to school means juggling multiple responsibilities. You probably still have a career to attend to, children to raise and a house to clean. Getting everything accomplished requires a systematic approach. 

Your first order of business is to invest in the right planner. It doesn’t matter if you welcome the convenience of paper pages for writing copious notes or prefer one of today’s top apps to keep your to-do list at your fingertips. Choose one system and stick to it, sitting down each Sunday evening to chart your week. 

You should do the same with your syllabus at the start of each semester. Chart upcoming due dates and schedule time slots for working on weighty assignments like 10-page papers. You’ll find it’s not nearly as challenging to tackle mammoth tasks when you break them into manageable chunks. It’s much better than burning the midnight oil, and you have the maturity to rock this method and make that grade. 

3. Create a Sacred Study Space 

You deserve to honor your commitment to your education with a dedicated study space. First of all, hey, it’s okay to curl up with that hefty psychology tome in bed, especially if you have back pain after a long day. Sound energy management involves tending to your physical needs to keep them from distracting you while you study. 

However, you should make your space accommodating, giving yourself plenty of room for your books and investing in quality lighting to prevent eye strain. It’s a good idea to keep your electronics elsewhere when it’s time for bed, though, too much blue light exposure can interfere with melatonin production and make it challenging to get your Zzzs. Put a charging station in another room and unplug 30 minutes before sleep to give your body time to adjust. 

If you have the room, a private home office study space is ideal for knocking out those 10-page papers. The right desk and chair are crucial to comfort. Consider experimenting with variable-height desks and inflatable exercise balls as part-time chair alternatives to increase your comfort. At the very least, ensure your chair fits you, allowing you to place your feet flat when your knees bend at 90 degrees and see your screen without slouching forward. 

4. Rally Your Troops 

You might have a family to nurture while you go back to school. That’s okay, they can become your biggest cheerleaders and support team members. 

Let your family know when you have important upcoming scholastic events, perhaps posting them on a group calendar you hang on your fridge. Ask for extra support with household chores and dinner duty during finals week, why not let your kiddos take over a few days a week? They’ll learn a valuable life skill and keep you nourished while you hit the books. 

5. Make Time for Meaningful Self-Care 

Between a job, family and school, you could feel like self-care has to go out the window temporarily. However, it’s more crucial when you’re under pressure than ever. 

When you sit down each Sunday to plan your weekly schedule, include time for activities that nurture your body, mind and spirit. Go ahead and calendar your workout time, adequate exercise improves your mental alertness by getting the blood flowing to those brain cells. Give yourself time to indulge in a luxurious bubble bath on Friday evening while reading a novel unrelated to your field of study. 

5 Ways to Feel Successful Going Back to School 

Going back to school as an adult can seem intimidating. Furthermore, juggling a job, home and education can be challenging. 

However, you can and will do it. Consider the five ways above to feel successful going back to school and make your plan to get the grade.