3 Tips Going Back to School After a Long Break

The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions at GCU offers an RN to BSN program Opens A New Window to help working nursing professionals advance their career to the next level. If you’re thinking of taking advantage of this program after a long break from classes, then use the following tips for going back to school:

1. Create Goals for Yourself

Resuming your education after a long break can be both exciting and intimidating. To help make the transition easier, set goals for yourself that will get you back into a student mindset. Plan to communicate with your instructors, get to know other students in your program and learn what you need to do to get the most out of your education and achieve the career that you want.

Make sure to write them down too. Grab a shiny new planner, make a fun inspiration board, and glance at them from time-to-time to help remind you of your goals.

Some goals could include:

• Get 8 hours of sleep
• Keep room cleaned
• Study at least one hour a night
• Meal prep healthy meals

2. Focus on Time Management

When you’ve been out of school for an extended period, getting back into the habit of managing your time wisely and balancing work, school and home life may be more challenging than the material itself. Start by mapping out your weekly schedule to ensure that you have enough time to accomplish everything that you hope to accomplish. Taking this step can help you avoid stretching yourself too thin and experiencing stress and burnout. Prioritize activities that are productive and then stick to the schedule that you create.

3. Get Plenty of Rest

While you may be tempted to only get a few hours of sleep at night so you can fit more activities into your day, it’s important to realize that being sleep-deprived can make it more difficult for you to focus and may also reduce your productivity. Getting enough sleep at night can help you remain healthy and energized and may make it easier for you to stay focused during your classes.

It may take some adjusting, so make small steps in going to sleep earlier. Try one hour early one week, then two hours earlier the next. Keep going until you are at least getting seven-to-eight hours of sleep a night.

Grand Canyon University’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions can help you advance your career in nursing. If you’d like to find out more about our RN to BSN program, then visit our website or click the Request More Information button at the top of the page.