What is the best advice that you can give a veteran as they begin college after their time in service?

2017-08-17T05:41:58-04:00

It has been over ten years since high school and I will be starting back into college to finish my BA on Tuesday the 22nd of August. Those of you who have attended college, what little bit of advice can you lend me that might help as I undertake this new and exciting challenge?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2017 5:53 AM

2017-08-17T05:53:05-04:00

Congratulations! You already have a leg up on your fellow students. If I could give one piece of advice, I would say see your professors during their office hours. You will learn more by getting their expertise in their particular field.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Aug 17 at 2017 7:18 AM

2017-08-17T07:18:28-04:00

-Enjoy the journey (i.e. the learning experience), and don't grind yourself down by focusing too much on the destination (graduation). The destination will arrive before you know it.

-Leverage everything at your disposal:
1. Stay proactive, not reactive. Always read ahead and have a good idea of what will be discussed in each class (rather than going into classes blind and not having any idea what will be covered).
2. Ask questions IN CLASS when unclear (and not having been proactive can make you less willing to ask). The professor is a hostage during class. You have their dedicated time.
3. Study anything confusing as soon as possible after class (when the content is fresh on your mind).
4. Find study partners. Sometimes they can explain things better than the professors (who may overcomplicate or "under-explain" things).
5. Don't be afraid to visit the teaching assistants and/or professors if 1-4 aren't successful. They are there to help you learn, so make them help you.
6. Make sure you maintain work-life balance.

Good luck!

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 17 at 2017 7:42 AM

2017-08-17T07:42:20-04:00

I had been to 54 countries, 39 of them third world. I wasn't hanging out in the resorts. Then some 17-23 year old who had been out of state twice to go to Disneyworld would tell me I just don't understand the way things are. The military sheltered me.

My advice, learn to smile, nod your head and say "you know, you're probably right."

Response by SGT David T. made Aug 17 at 2017 8:03 AM

2017-08-17T08:03:17-04:00

A few things I encountered and learned are:
1. No one cares that we are vets. You are just a student. Sounds harsh, but that is what I encountered.
2. Have patience. We are used to people following the rules for the most part, but in college you will encounter countless folks who don't. Most civilian 18 year olds are annoying, so don't let them get to you with their immaturity.
3. Stay positive. It's hard. It sucks. In the end it is worth it.
4. Maintain discipline and your work ethic. View it as you would any other mission. If you fail a class, retake it.
5. Keep an open mind. Even if the class has nothing to do with your major, learn all you can. The Bachelors level is designed to give you a well rounded education. 6. Don't stress about your grades. Graduating is graduating if you are a C student or an A student. Focus on just passing and learning. Anything more than that is just an added bonus.
6. Cite your sources. When in doubt cite it anyway. Funny story about this. When I was working on my thesis, one of the professors on the panel questioned if I got my topic from somewhere else. Turns out I wrote a similar but much shorter paper on the same topic in a class I had with him. Nothing like getting accused of plagiarizing myself lol. It all worked out. I got and A and graduated a month later.
7. Unless you are going into a very specialized field (medical, engineering etc), college does not train you for a specific job. Keep this in mind when you start the job hunt after graduation. I have degrees in history and so far I have held jobs in acquisitions, logistics, and project management. Of course you may need to talk to it on how it can apply to the specific job.
8. Unless you are with other vets, I would keep talking about the military to a minimum. The average civilian doesn't have a clue and I found that they can be quite annoying when discussing it. "It's just like call of duty right?" or "Did you kill anyone?" or "I almost joined but..."
9. Do not under any circumstances take out student loans if you can avoid it. If you need to you need to. Only take out what you need. The max amount might seem attractive but in the long term you will pay that numerous times over.

Even after all of that, my experiences in college were some of the best of my life. I learned a great deal. Not just about the subject matter, but about myself too. I wouldn't trade those years for anything. And no, I didn't pay for friends or party. I worked hard and finished the entire program in 35 months.

Best of luck brother!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2017 8:33 AM

2017-08-17T08:33:32-04:00

I guess I went to two fairly conservative public universities because many of the profs asked my opinion about current events or what ever events we may have been studying. I was often the only vet in the room and since I was older than most of the 18-20 year olds, I was often used as the unit of measurement for the professor. If I was having trouble understanding something, or completing assigned tasks, the profs would amend their assignments or come at things differently.

So, I recommend patience because a lot of your fellow students are still trying to get their feet under themselves and identify who they are and use your experiences as an example. Reading about something in an assigned textbook is one thing but hearing it from a peer sitting in the class next to you can be much more educational.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2017 8:44 AM

2017-08-17T08:44:18-04:00

I'll echo what others have already said, the kids sitting next to you care very little about your military experience and are immature and annoying. I attended college after 5 years in the Marines. It blew my mind that these kids would rarely come to class and do their assigned work. I mean, the teacher told us to right? Why would you not do what you're told to do by the person in charge? It was a different world and I entered it with a pretty big chip on my shoulder. That made life more difficult for me so I recommend losing any chip if you have one. I didn't really feel like I "fit in" until after 9/11 and I joined ROTC.

Bottom line, your time in the military should help you greatly. But this is NOT the military. Don't expect it to be. The 18 yo kids are just that. They are exactly the same as I would have been if I hadn't turned 18 on Parris Island.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2017 8:58 AM

2017-08-17T08:58:08-04:00

Hi, Sergeant Gunderson.

I went to college right after high school, goofed off, and dropped out after two years. Then, I joined the AF and found the discipline and motivation to go back, but then didn't have the time. I got med boarded in 2001, and while I was trying to determine if I would challenge my separation or not, the VA offered to pick up my tab for college through their vocational rehabilitation program if I got out. Sold.

I was on a mission the second time. Recognize the value of the education and the degree, keep you sites locked on the goal, understand that professors will help out significantly if you display the incentive to learn and succeed, know that you are on a different plane of existence than the 18 year old kid sitting next to you, and assault the target.

Good luck!

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Aug 17 at 2017 9:33 AM

2017-08-17T09:33:34-04:00

Ensure that it's not too much too soon. Take care of all your transitioning tasks before you start school. BLUF remove or prepare for as many distractors as you possibly can. That's healthcare, finances, vehicle MAINT, and anything else that may take away your focus during school. Good luck!

Response by MAJ Don Bigger made Aug 17 at 2017 11:37 AM

2017-08-17T11:37:19-04:00

To succeed in college requires the same approach as it takes to succeed in the military (anything in life, really)--Be where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there.

I had seven years enlisted service before going to college and getting my commission. I learned that is easy--really easy--to skip a class. You think one time won't hurt. But then one time becomes two. And when you only have two classes a week? Now you've got a problem. So don't cut class. Attend every class, you'll pass every class.

You will also bring a maturity and life experience that most students won't have.

You'll be fine.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2017 1:21 PM

2017-08-17T13:21:06-04:00

SGT Joseph Gunderson Enjoy the experience. I worked and went to school, so I did not have time to participate in school activities outside of class. Working full time, I graduated in five and a half years Your discipline, drive, and maturity level will ensure that you do well in college. I enjoyed college classes, and so will you. Best wishes.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Aug 17 at 2017 5:17 PM

2017-08-17T17:17:16-04:00

My suggestion is to plan out every semester now, but allow for flexibility. You may get a professor that is terrible and may need to drop a class. Take coursework you need. Also volunteering for clubs makes you more appealing if you plan to go beyond a BA or BS. Devote time to your courses. My classes required many hours of practice to get good at the practical skills for field work. Veterans groups can be helpful, but more often than not, they were just a bunch of assholes bragging about past glory. Avoid engaging in political debate. Unless you think exactly like them, they won't care what you have to say anyways.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Aug 17 at 2017 6:00 PM

2017-08-17T18:00:19-04:00

Study, don't play. Keep your physical and mental well being in top shape and enjoy the ride

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jun 30 at 2018 11:39 PM

2018-06-30T23:39:09-04:00

I started College while still on active duty and finished My first two years at University of Hawaii and also Honolulu Community College while I was stationed at Hickham AFB, HI. I already had 8 years active duty service behind me when as a full time student I entered Roger William College, Bristol, RI. RWC was very pro veteran and there were no problem there at all and I became involved in a hot of things on campus, sports, year book staff, wrote sports article for the college newspaper, attended all of the functions, lived in the dorm. I was Co-Captain on their first Cross country team and set up the entire running schedule for the years with other colleges. The Athletic Director loved Me and so did the Director of housing. They both mentioned My leadership and positive influence on My fellow students.

I made a lot of friends, faculty, student, both Veterans and non Veterans. I also worked two part time jobs. I remained active in Civil Air Patrol the USAF Auxiliary as a Captain there. Our Class President at RWC was a Navy Submarine Veteran. I also found time to socialize and put down a few beers, I only had to walk back to the dorm. I ran them off in cross country with 5 to 10 mile practice runs.

In My studies I was on the Dean's list each semester and most My Professors were outstanding. Only one did I complain about, He was a Lawyer in a Class on Constitutional Law and a complete AH. I found out everyone in the class had already complained about Him, I was the last. He only taught one class and was told that was the last one He would ever teach there. As I told the Director of the program, I paid to go to College and wasn't going to be treated by the Hired Help in that manner. I made it clear I was the customer and He was the employee.

The bottom line get involved in campus activities, give all the effort You can to Your studies but find time to have fun also. Don't be anti social, get to know people on campus. Moving into the dorm I thought was great, I didn't miss anything on campus and enjoyed the experience. My BS degree from there also resulted in a 20% increase on My weekly pay on the Police Department I became a full time officer on. The had an educational incentive pay IAW the Quinn Bill under the Massachusetts General Laws. Also Roger Williams College is Now Roger William University and much larger and has the only School of Law in Rhode Island and now graduate level courses in their major courses of study. They also have Army ROTC on campus.