5 answers
Ruth
Student
Lynchburg, Virginia
2
Questions
Updated
1017 views
How did you complete a science college degree as an adult?
I am pursuing a science degree after taking a few years away from school. Knowing science and math are subjects that build up on material, what advice or tips are available to get up to speed? #back-to-school #nontraditional #college #science #adult-education
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5 answers
Teresa Hopwood
Certified Master Academic Advisor
3
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Teresa’s Answer
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for your question. Please know that you are not alone. Many students returning to college experience challenges with meeting or even understanding requirements. Depending on where you are in the admissions/ application process, my first piece of advice is to visit with an academic advisor for a discussion about this topic. I'm confident that an advisor will refer you to the Testing Department. In Texas, taking the TSI is a mandate. It is a valuable tool to determine accurate course placement. It provides information about your current skill level. Many students ask me how to "pass," the test. My standard answer is that is not a pass or fail situation. It is a placement tool.
If you have already completed this process and are currently in classes, but feel anxious, again... please remember that you are not alone. Your faculty is the first person you should seek out for guidance. You can also seek out advising services to get information about campus resources specifically for Math and Science courses. Another strategy for success is to get to know your classmates. They might feel as you do or they might be able to help you. Getting help requires asking for it.
I've worked with an adult student who returned to school only after all of her children had graduated high school. Her Math skill level placed her into the beginning level of developmental, the old name was remedial, instruction. With patience, hard work and utilizing campus resources, she worked her way from basic Math all the way to Calculus 3 and is now a Math teacher!
Believe me when I tell you that success in college is not always a direct result of high intelligence. It is a sign of hard work.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
T
Teresa H.
Meet with an academic advisor.
Take a placement test to determine accurate skill level.
Utilize campus resources.
Get to know your classmates.
Practice time management.
Thanks for your question. Please know that you are not alone. Many students returning to college experience challenges with meeting or even understanding requirements. Depending on where you are in the admissions/ application process, my first piece of advice is to visit with an academic advisor for a discussion about this topic. I'm confident that an advisor will refer you to the Testing Department. In Texas, taking the TSI is a mandate. It is a valuable tool to determine accurate course placement. It provides information about your current skill level. Many students ask me how to "pass," the test. My standard answer is that is not a pass or fail situation. It is a placement tool.
If you have already completed this process and are currently in classes, but feel anxious, again... please remember that you are not alone. Your faculty is the first person you should seek out for guidance. You can also seek out advising services to get information about campus resources specifically for Math and Science courses. Another strategy for success is to get to know your classmates. They might feel as you do or they might be able to help you. Getting help requires asking for it.
I've worked with an adult student who returned to school only after all of her children had graduated high school. Her Math skill level placed her into the beginning level of developmental, the old name was remedial, instruction. With patience, hard work and utilizing campus resources, she worked her way from basic Math all the way to Calculus 3 and is now a Math teacher!
Believe me when I tell you that success in college is not always a direct result of high intelligence. It is a sign of hard work.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
T
Teresa H.
Teresa recommends the following next steps:
Teresa knows what she is talking about!
Anna Traykova
Anna Traykova
Education, Advising and Consulting Professional
26
Answers
Updated
Anna’s Answer
Updating your study skills to be as effective and efficient as possible is one piece of advice - and that includes time management, goal setting, etc. Do not hesitate to reach out to your course instructors, tutors, and peers, etc will be my second piece of advice. If attending lectures, I'd encourage you to preview the material (i.e. read the textbook) prior to the lecture. A great free online course to improve your approach to studying is the Learning How to Learn course on Coursera - it takes about 9 hours to complete. If you want to know what to expect from the course, you may check out this New York Times article https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/04/education/edlife/learning-how-to-learn-barbara-oakley.html
Anna recommends the following next steps:
Karan Kataria
Student
1
Answer
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Karan’s Answer
Hey Ruth,
I wanna just to say that everything everyone else has said so far is fantastic. Jumping back into studying after a break is tough. Especially with it being sciences. I would say follow the steps that others have recommended. Specifically about visiting an academic advisor. Try meeting with multiple advisors, find the one that you really fit well with. Trust me that makes all the difference.
I would say to make sure you learn well, and to get back up to speed, utilize free online resources. Coursera is good, books are good too. However, it is always dependent on what you are studying. So, utilize Khan academy, because they have everything! On top of that, it is free.
This next bit of advice is applicable if you have TA's for class, but let say you don't find any resources to give you a head start, but during class, this will be a savior. As a TA, I can assure you no one comes to office hours, and if they did it would set them apart. It does make a big difference.
Lastly, I would say, make a group of friends from the classes. It helps with staying up with assignments, mental health and increases overall enjoyment of really bad classes.
Meet with an Advisor (find someone that meshes well with you)
Use Khan Academy
Go to class office hours (it will help with speeding up the learning process)
Make a groups of friends in your classes!
I wanna just to say that everything everyone else has said so far is fantastic. Jumping back into studying after a break is tough. Especially with it being sciences. I would say follow the steps that others have recommended. Specifically about visiting an academic advisor. Try meeting with multiple advisors, find the one that you really fit well with. Trust me that makes all the difference.
I would say to make sure you learn well, and to get back up to speed, utilize free online resources. Coursera is good, books are good too. However, it is always dependent on what you are studying. So, utilize Khan academy, because they have everything! On top of that, it is free.
This next bit of advice is applicable if you have TA's for class, but let say you don't find any resources to give you a head start, but during class, this will be a savior. As a TA, I can assure you no one comes to office hours, and if they did it would set them apart. It does make a big difference.
Lastly, I would say, make a group of friends from the classes. It helps with staying up with assignments, mental health and increases overall enjoyment of really bad classes.
Karan recommends the following next steps:
Nisah Tahara, MSc.
1
Answer
Canton, Michigan
Updated
Nisah’s Answer
Taking on an academic challenge at an advanced age is all about being open to learning from all sources. Younger classmates have so much to offer and as a person that had lived much of what younger students would experience, made the journey rich. One must allow the process to take over -- learn for the love of learning, be curious and welcome mistakes. Don't be 'old' in your head and don't be a know it all! Listen more than you talk and when you speak, do it with humility and confidence.
Mahesh Yogam
Teacher,Onliine Tutor
4
Answers
Polonnaruwa, NC
Updated
Mahesh’s Answer
Dear Ruth,
First, I would like to tell don't think that mathematics and Science are too difficult to study. These two subjects are very easy subject and you can learn a very fun and easy way by using the day to day life examples.
Mathematics is the Science structure that deals with the logic of shape, quantity, and arrangement. Math is all around us, in everything we do. It is a building block for everything in our daily life, including mobile devices, Engineering, Arts, Money, and even sports. That is since 17th the century, mathematics has been an indispensable adjunct to Physical Science and Technology and in more recent times it has assumed a similar role in the quantitative aspects of life Science.
When thinking the word Science, it brings a different meaning, a fat textbook, lab coat, chemical, microscope to see the fogs, Einstein's equations scribbled the whiteboard, the launch the space shuttle, playing with tools, all facts are reflected from student mind but none of these give the real picture of Science because SCience has amazing facets. Science is both a body of knowledge and a process. Science is continually refining and expanding our knowledge of the universe, and as it does, it leads to new questions for future investigation. Science will never be "finished." People all over the world participate in the process of science. And you can too!
There is my part in Science and Mathematics.
So choose according to your ability.
And You can make easily take notes and take imagination about science. After your lecture on this subject, you must take time to refer and practice with math without anyone's help. You must want to read books If you wish I can refer to that.
How to study mathematics easy and fast:
+ Practice, Practice, and More Practice Practice making you perfect.
+ Reviews your mistake.
+ Master and focus the Key concept. Don't try to memories the process,
+ Understand the Math using real-world concepts examples.
+ Create a distraction-free environment and make Mathematical dictionary.
+Understand Your doubt and Ask help for solving.
+Finaly Believe your self and be positive, and always say I can Math. I love math.
How to Study Science easy and fun way:
+Before entering the Classroom, Please read or at least scan your textbook materials.
+Make sure you have all the needed materials before entering class.
+When you are In-Classroom
-Direct your attention and focus to your Lecture. Don't tolerate the distraction of the other Student.
-Take organized and clear Notes.
-Keep the time management and be alert and keep your present on time.
-Ask your question when you don't understand and Lectures are interested to respect good questions.
+After class
-Re-read lecture note the same day and make sure you are not miss anything.
-While Re-reading, Take short and Sweet notes in your words.
-After the Each day lecture, Do questions based on lecture notes.
+Reapetaion is needed to memories until the end of the exam.
+Test Your self.
+ Don't Skip the sample problems.
+Find Additional Help to Understand.
+ Repeat again and again the theory and learn with day to day life examples.
What we learn:
+what we hear-10%
+What we read-15%
+What we hear and see-20%
+What we discuss-40%
+What we experience and practice-80%
+What we attempt to teach-100%
Therefore if you want to be an expert in a particular subject you must teach that subject to your other friend or your self.
I hope you will get some idea of your question.
All subjcet included as vedios lecturing and tutorial:https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
You can find in your area:https://math.virginia.edu/courses/
Read the book by written stephen hawking
If you want to know about Physics ,read this book:For the love of Physics by Proffesor Welter Lewin.
Reads the book by written Michi Kaku for better understaing about Science and Physics.
First, I would like to tell don't think that mathematics and Science are too difficult to study. These two subjects are very easy subject and you can learn a very fun and easy way by using the day to day life examples.
Mathematics is the Science structure that deals with the logic of shape, quantity, and arrangement. Math is all around us, in everything we do. It is a building block for everything in our daily life, including mobile devices, Engineering, Arts, Money, and even sports. That is since 17th the century, mathematics has been an indispensable adjunct to Physical Science and Technology and in more recent times it has assumed a similar role in the quantitative aspects of life Science.
When thinking the word Science, it brings a different meaning, a fat textbook, lab coat, chemical, microscope to see the fogs, Einstein's equations scribbled the whiteboard, the launch the space shuttle, playing with tools, all facts are reflected from student mind but none of these give the real picture of Science because SCience has amazing facets. Science is both a body of knowledge and a process. Science is continually refining and expanding our knowledge of the universe, and as it does, it leads to new questions for future investigation. Science will never be "finished." People all over the world participate in the process of science. And you can too!
There is my part in Science and Mathematics.
So choose according to your ability.
And You can make easily take notes and take imagination about science. After your lecture on this subject, you must take time to refer and practice with math without anyone's help. You must want to read books If you wish I can refer to that.
How to study mathematics easy and fast:
+ Practice, Practice, and More Practice Practice making you perfect.
+ Reviews your mistake.
+ Master and focus the Key concept. Don't try to memories the process,
+ Understand the Math using real-world concepts examples.
+ Create a distraction-free environment and make Mathematical dictionary.
+Understand Your doubt and Ask help for solving.
+Finaly Believe your self and be positive, and always say I can Math. I love math.
How to Study Science easy and fun way:
+Before entering the Classroom, Please read or at least scan your textbook materials.
+Make sure you have all the needed materials before entering class.
+When you are In-Classroom
-Direct your attention and focus to your Lecture. Don't tolerate the distraction of the other Student.
-Take organized and clear Notes.
-Keep the time management and be alert and keep your present on time.
-Ask your question when you don't understand and Lectures are interested to respect good questions.
+After class
-Re-read lecture note the same day and make sure you are not miss anything.
-While Re-reading, Take short and Sweet notes in your words.
-After the Each day lecture, Do questions based on lecture notes.
+Reapetaion is needed to memories until the end of the exam.
+Test Your self.
+ Don't Skip the sample problems.
+Find Additional Help to Understand.
+ Repeat again and again the theory and learn with day to day life examples.
What we learn:
+what we hear-10%
+What we read-15%
+What we hear and see-20%
+What we discuss-40%
+What we experience and practice-80%
+What we attempt to teach-100%
Therefore if you want to be an expert in a particular subject you must teach that subject to your other friend or your self.
I hope you will get some idea of your question.
Mahesh recommends the following next steps: