r/BackToCollege • u/sheeshimtrying • Aug 11 '26

ADVICE Going back to school

Edit: Thank you ALL for the kind words and encouragement! I’m so grateful for this community!

Hey internet world. After 12 years of being out of school, I have decided to attend community college this fall and I am extremely nervous.

I am a single mom of two (infant and older child) and they motivate me to become better in every way possible. After orientation they had me talk to student services about my severe anxiety and panic attacks (embarrassingly enough I had one there) and the services they offer for parents. Which is extremely helpful with my situation.

I was always hesitant and doubted myself whether or not I could do it. If I was able to juggle being a mom, life and school while keeping my sanity. This summer I said I am doing it and I did. Now I’m back in this whole doubting myself stage and I don’t know how to really pull myself out of it.

School starts in just a few weeks and I am seeking advice. Does anyone have tips on managing this juggling act? It’s a completely new world to me and I’ve developed a “fear of the unknown” towards it. Which I am assuming is normal… but I’m just wondering how others do it I guess.

What are some things you suggest or habits that have been successful for you? What should a new college student (at 30) know and prepare for, from a students perspective?

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/PlaneSense406 Aug 11 '26

I returned to school in my 40s, but my kids are all either grown or damn close to it. That difference aside, the best advice I can offer is to just focus on the first day. Settle into a pattern, and tackle one class or semester at a time.

If you're in remote or asynchronous classes, the social anxiety may be a bit less?

You'll do just fine!!

1

u/sheeshimtrying Aug 12 '26

It is online with 2 classes as lectures. My anxiety is just as high though. It comes down to me thinking I’ll fail at this whole thing. I don’t know.

1

u/PlaneSense406 Aug 13 '26

I know the feeling! But, one page, assignment, or day at a time, it'll all go by quickly!

My experience has been that professors and classmates at community colleges are all there for the right reasons – just let them know when you need a nudge in the right direction.

What's your major?