Returning to School

[Uliana988]

Hi all, I’m returning to college to get a certificate in “library information & technology”, and I’m very scared. I haven’t been to classes in years, and I don’t know if I can do it.

Classes start on Monday. I’ve started trying to read the textbooks, but can’t focus. Looking at the syllabus has put me into a panic. We have to participate in discussions, and the classes will be via Zoom. I am not good at that sort of thing, and never have been. When I was a kid, I rarely volunteered answers unless called upon. Heck, at parties, I normally listen while other people speak. Read: severe social anxiety.

Any tips on dealing with this, because my husband and friends say I can do it, but I don’t know if I can. On top of this, I’m taking care of my elderly mother who has dementia.

Prayers are welcome too.

 

[Pattylt]

As someone who returned to college at age 34 and hadn’t taken a math class or any chemistry in high school yet was aiming for a degree in laboratory science…if I can do it, you can too.

It was an adjustment. You will have to force yourself into a routine and a set schedule for homework and any research/writing. Once you just start doing it…actually sit down and get over your panic…you will find that it becomes easier and easier. Your concentration will improve. Your focus will sharpen. It’s like dusting off a few brain cells and refining them back up. The first week is the most unsettling…then, it just becomes a routine job you do each day!

Just face up to the fact that the first week will be hard. Get through it and enjoy the process after that! You’ll do fine!

 

[Uliana988]

Thank you. What worries me is that I’m nearly 20 years older than 34, and am wondering if my brain is sharp enough for this. I’ve been playing Mahjong and similar games to to to improve my concentration. One of the textbooks has me yawning after a page and a half, it’s that dry. My husband says I need to get back to my undergrad skills and write while I read for better retention.

I still don’t know what do do about the Zoom meetings. I’m also afraid to voice my opinion, because I fall on the Center-Right side of morality/politics, and most people in college are on the Liberal/Progressive side (at National University Library, where I worked, they were). What if I’m asked to demonstrate how to recommend a book I am morally opposed to, or my opinion on drag queen story time? This terrifies me, because I stayed quiet about this at work, and just wandered away to “get back to work” whenever such discussions started.

 

[redcatholic]

Ok a couple of observations. 1. You can do this and honestly, don’t make it out to be harder than it is. Millions of drunk young people get through colleges with no life experience, relationship drama, no money, crushing debt, working and going to school and of course partying. All of which won’t be an issue for you. That isn’t to belittle the accomplishment but rather to show you it is attainable. 2. That being said, college is so different than it was even ten years ago. You NEED to be proficient with technology long before you go to class. And since technology is in the name of your certificate I assume you are comfortable and capable with using it. Hopefully you are just addressing the idea of sharing in a group and an introversion you have and not meaning you are uncomfortable with zoom or other platforms with multiple users.
3. Your political leanings and those of others should not be involved in this degree at all. BUT sadly they will be. A simple math class is now a format to spew leftist tripe. However, you can’t get lost in the weeds here. Head down, bring the class or group back on track with relevant questions that deal specifically with the subject matter.

 

[Uliana988]

Yes, I’m perfectly comfortable with technology. It’s people I’m afraid of. I hate parties, and usually stay by my husband, just staying silent while he speaks, sometimes nodding and smiling. It has to be a subject that I’m very interested in for me to pipe up.

I hope I’m going to be able to contribute to class discussion. The classes are on learning to work in a library, including a section on giving advice on choosing a book for adults, youths, little children, etc. I’ve scanned ahead, and the textbook says not to only recommend books you like, but to branch out your knowledge so you can advise people on a lot of genres. I really don’t know what to say when “certain” topics on book choice come up.

 

[Pattylt]

As someone who uses the library a ton, you will be expected to be aware of a wide range of books…that doesn’t mean you need to have read them! It means that you will have to know what books are the ones people are talking about or were top sellers.

I never even touched a copy of Shades of Gray but if someone asked me about a romance including S &M, I’d know what book to give them!

I wouldn’t worry too much…this is what you’ll be learning so don’t expect to know it all now. You will be expected to keep up with best seller lists and buzz about new releases as well as the fact that most inquires will be students needing a book on 19th century England or stuff like that. You will also most likely be working with other librarians and subscribing to Library specific magazines or blogs to keep abreast in your field.

Once you’ve graduated, your choice of employment will dictate the types of books most requested. Small towns are conservative and big cities are liberal but various people live everywhere…it’s what makes life interesting!

For now, get through the schooling. By the time you graduate, you’ll have a good knowledge of what all your job entails and what type of situation you want to work in…that’s for later. Get the education first!

 

[ZemD]

I’m also afraid to voice my opinion, because I fall on the Center-Right side of morality/politics, and most people in college are on the Liberal/Progressive side

When I was in college (10 years ago) I learned quickly to agree with my professor or TA politically if necessary for an assignment or question. I was not going to change their minds and they would not reward a well formed argument against their worldview with a good grade. I however never agreed with anything I considered serious, like abortion, gay marriage, ect. but thankfully I was never put into a position where I had to. I was able to go under the radar enough that it was likely assumed I was “one of them”. I remember one class in particular, I had to meet with a TA in her office and she mentioned how she thought Obama was the best president, loved every policy, speech, on and on. I agreed with her, said “he really is incredible” or something like that. For the rest of the semester I’m convinced she didn’t even read my papers, “A” on every paper no matter how poor my writing was. I have been a conservative my entire life and voted for Romney in 2012. For your book example, say what you have to for the question/assignment in class. In real life if this ever happens you could simply respond “I’m not familiar with that book, I’m sorry I can’t offer any opinion it.”

For the zoom stuff I think you will be fine. My mother went back to college at 50 for her BA in nursing. Her program was mostly online. I think once you have one or two meetings you will feel it is much less intimidating talking in a virtual meeting than talking in front of a classroom or at a party.

 

[Uliana988]

19th century England is one of the things I do know about and am interested in ; ditto for Medieval Europe and Ancient Rome/Greece/Holy Land. And, I can talk your ear off about ratels (honey badgers). I live in San Diego, so it’s in between on the liberal/conservative spectrum.

 

[Pattylt]

I went back to school to be a Medical Technologist. One of the truest things I learned is that no Med Tech knows how to do every test there is in a lab. What you learn is how to find the information to do any test in the lab. It will be similar for you. You won’t know every book that everyone wants…you will learn how to find the book they seek!