Guest post: 9 things to remember when entering the classroom

There are no ifs or buts about it; signing up to a course can be a daunting prospect. In this guest post, Jane McGuire, Digital Content Editor at Hotcourses, suggests nine things you should remember if you’re entering the classroom for the first time in a while.

With the back-to-school feelings in your stomach, whether you are logging into a new course or trying yoga for the first time, it can feel a little scary. Luckily, over here at Hotcourses we consider ourselves to be experts in adult learning, so to help silence these fears, we’ve come up with nine things you should remember when entering the classroom.

1. You will probably feel nervous

Some butterflies in the stomach are normal, whatever you are signing up to. Learning something new can be scary, but remember you are in the same boat as all the other students on the course.

One of the great benefits of learning online is that you will be able to take your learning anywhere, be it a friend’s house or local library – go somewhere comfortable where you can concentrate.

If it’s a practical course, you are all going to be thrown in at the deep end together, so this is something to laugh at, not run from.

2. Some people on the course will be more advanced than others

It’s an inevitable fact of life that we all learn at different paces. Don’t worry if you are a complete novice – learning isn’t a competitive sport and you will all end up with the same qualifications or skills.

3.  It doesn’t matter if you sign up alone

We often get students worrying about attending evening classes alone and we always respond in the same way – one of the best parts of doing a course really is meeting new people. Everyone will be from different walks of life, all with one common interest, so it really isn’t as scary as it seems.

If you are learning online, a lot of providers have virtual communities for you to swap tips and tricks with your classmates.

4. You will find time to do the extra work

Even if you are learning for fun, finding time in your life for learning can seem overwhelming. However, like going to the gym or squeezing in a haircut, if you want to learn, it won’t seem like hard work.

Think of the hours you spend commuting to work, or watching Netflix and turn these into trying something new. You won’t regret it!

5. You won’t be treated like a child

A point we cannot reiterate enough: adult learning is nothing like your childhood classroom. Most of us are put off, dwelling on the nightmare memories of exams, embarrassment or boredom.

In reality, as an adult you are signing up to a course in a subject you are interested in and your tutor will be more than happy to help broaden your horizons.

6. You might find something that changes your life

Although you might not decide to quit the day job and become a florist or a masseur, re-entering the classroom could give you the confidence to follow those forgotten dreams.

Whether it’s getting the qualifications to bag your perfect job, or just giving you the confidence to work part time, this could be the kick start you need.

7. You can always ask questions if you are unsure

In fact, most tutors will encourage you to get in touch and ask for help if you need it. There really is no such thing as a stupid question, whether you’re struggling to access online materials, or don’t know what to wear to a practical course.

8. It might not actually feel like a classroom at all

The beauty of online learning means you can log in just about anywhere, so you probably won’t actually feel like you are back in a classroom at all. Saying that, make sure you have a tidy, quiet place where you can concentrate if the course involves any sort of exams.

9. You won’t regret it

We really believe you never stop learning. Whether your course gives you a qualification to help your CV stand out from the crowd, or a new hobby to practise in your spare time, students rarely look back and regret the time spent learning.

So what are you waiting for? With plenty of professional, short and online courses available, take a look at Hotcourse’s comprehensive list of courses and get ready to change your life.