As a first-time or returning college student, getting back into the swing of school can feel overwhelming.

Here are five guaranteed steps to ease the transition and become an effective student throughout the duration of your program at Pinnacle Career Institute.

1. Get a head start.
   
   Don't procrastinate and wait until the last minute to submit work!  This creates a lot of unnecessary and avoidable stress. In addition to the pressure, the quality of the work submitted is not as good because you likely rushed to get it done. Starting your work early allows the opportunity for questions that may arise to get answered in a timely manner.
2. Prioritize your time.
   
   As a busy adult, it is important to effectively manage your time to be successful within the classroom, especially when it comes to distance education. Using a physical calendar can prove to be extremely helpful. You are able to write down all of the due dates for class and quickly take a glance when needed to make sure that you're staying on track. If a planner is too costly, the same concept works with a calendar on a cell phone, or you can even print out a free monthly calendar. 
3. Remember that PCI is here for you! 
   
   As students, it is not your job to know everything! But, it is important to know how to utilize your resources to aide in your success. This means making the time to develop that rapport with your instructor to build a relationship to ask questions (if and when needed). Utilize Canvas to ask your peers and professors questions. There are no stupid questions!  Someone else in class might be having the same problem. Lastly, do not hesitate to reach out to your Student Success Coordinator.  We are all here to help you succeed.
4. Have a study buddy.
   
   Generally, attending school can present its challenges depending on your learning style. Having a study buddy is an effective way to hold each other accountable while giving and receiving knowledge.  Even as an online student, you can still link up with another student in your classroom each mod. Who would you like to pair up with in your current course?
5. Prepare for the unexpected.
   
   As a distance education student, anything can happen before an assignment deadline that could prevent an individual from timely submission of work. Problems in your home or with your Internet connection are common and difficult to prevent. If your Internet is spotty, make sure you have access to a local library or coffee shop with free WiFi.  It is important to make sure you have additional resources in place when the unexpected occurs. 

We hope that these tips are helpful and make your experience with PCI more fulfilling.