The Veterans Administration is providing additional funds to encourage more veterans to attend college. This is a big financial commitment, but many veterans are intimidated by the idea of going to college. Most veterans fall into the category of adult learners because most of them are over the age of 24. Sitting in a class with much younger students can feel awkward. Some veterans have graduated from high school and gone directly into the military. There was no time to think about college. One way a veteran can prepare for college is to have a college success plan.
A college success plan is a set of activities a veteran can use to improve his or her chances of graduating from college. Just the thought of applying to college can cause anxiety for some veterans. It may not be fun to sit in classes where students see you as an outsider. This is one of the reasons why it is important to have a college success plan. Veterans need time to adjust to college life. They must work on their own perceptions that they are not ready to enroll in college. There is no need to be afraid of the amount of work that will be required for each veteran. Colleges have many resources, such as advisers, tutors, and counselors, that can make adjusting to college life much easier. You can call a local university to determine the different types of services they offer.
One of the important things a veteran can do is work on their study skills. This is an area where students of all ages struggle. Every veteran can benefit from learning how to study before beginning freshman year classes. For example, a good study habit is to take the time to read all the chapters before classes start. Chapters should be read several days before a class begins. It is important that your mind is ready to absorb the information you are studying. By studying early you eliminate the stress of needing more time to read your textbook. When you are listening to a lecture, the important facts from your textbook will be familiar to you. If there is anything you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to talk to your instructor.
Planning to manage your time is a vital element of a veteran’s college success. Veterans who learn to manage their time are much more successful. Managing your time will help you set priorities for your week. Getting control of your time will allow you to make an accurate time management program. It is much better to plan your exam preparation than to wait until the last second. If you have a plan to study for several hours, you can also put time in your schedule to have fun. You’ll experience less stress because you have a roadmap to meet all your assignment deadlines.
Veterans should prepare early for each test. Students who are successful in their exams know that starting exam preparation early produces good results. Take the time to clarify any missing information in your notes. Use 3 x 5 cards to memorize important facts. You can have a stack of cards for each class. Then set aside some time each day to memorize your 3 x 5 cards and the important facts presented by the instructor. This is just one way to organize your study sessions. Recognize that you are in control of the amount of knowledge you gain each day.
Veterans should take the time to learn what the instructors require for each class. An important place to start is by reading the syllabus. The syllabus is a guide to the important topics your teacher is discussing. Compare notes with other students who are in your class. Creating time to form groups with other students is beneficial. Organizing a study group can be a very easy way to get to know the people in your classes. During each session, you may find missing information in your notes.
It is important for every veteran to take the time to identify what classes are interesting during the first semester of taking college classes. You can position yourself for success during your first semester simply by dedicating yourself to learning and eliminating distractions. The fact that you have decided to go to university is a great achievement. More veterans should take advantage of this opportunity. This country needs more veterans to use their minds to improve this country’s global competitiveness.