RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
Introduction.
Choosing to return to school can be a life-changing decision, whether it’s been one year since you graduated or a decade since you sat in a classroom.
There are significant challenges posed to adults who decide to pursue education. The good news is these challenges are being recognized by many educational institutions, and non-traditional educational opportunities are becoming widely available. School and institutions are realizing the increasing importance of making learning accessible to everyone and are, consequently, offering more flexible options for students. Many institutions offer evening and weekend classes, as well as online or distance education options. As more adults return to school, more services and resources become available to assist with this challenging but worthwhile endeavor.
Ultimately, adult learners face a very unique set of challenges when deciding to enter or re-enter the educational sphere. In my case, I am facing some challenges since I started classes at ITT. I will talk about three of them, because they are the biggest ones for me. * Taking classes at not my first language is the biggest challenge for me. * Due the difficulty level, the stress that going back to school brings, is the second one on my list, * It is been more than ten years since the last time I took classes. So I have forgotten the techniques of study.

Taking Classes in Second Language.
Learning a second language is a real challenge, especially when you are an adult. Your first language is so entrenched in you by years and years of listening, writing, reading and talking your native language. This fact sometimes makes hard learning a second language because your brain is used to thinking in another language. The challenge is bigger is you want to go to school, because there is another challenge coming, to understand ideas and concepts explained in class.
Sometimes students need extra time to learn a foreign language concept, a slower pace of instruction, and special attention to specific aspects of the foreign language, such as the sounds and special symbols of the language and grammatical rules. Sometimes students need extra tutoring in the language. They may need a distraction- free learning environment and explicit guidance about language concepts.
“You must learn to listen before you can speak. Every language sounds strange the first time you hear it, but the more you expose yourself to it the more familiar it becomes, and the easier it is to speak it properly”. If you make conversation a goal from the beginning, you are less likely to get lost in textbooks. Talking to people will keep the learning process relevant to you.
There are many ways to improve your language learning process. Two of them are: Watch TV/Listen to the radio and cultivate friendship. Then, following these couple of tips, you could improve your second language and overcome this problem.
I used to watch TV in my native language, but I noticed I was not helpful for me to improve my English. So, I started to watch TV in English. At beginning used to be a little frustrated because many times I was not understanding too much, but now I understand so much more.
Making friends who speak English as a first language is so helpful because I have the chance to practice what I learned, to improve my listening, speaking and fix mistakes.

Managing Stress.
Many adult learners have extensive time commitments such a full-time job, a growing family, but the responsibility to go to class now. These can lead to difficulty succeeding at school due the stress that all of these commitments bring.
Symptoms of too much stress can be physical, emotional, mental and behavioral. While everyone is different, some common signs are: memory problems, trouble concentrating, racing thoughts, irritability, anger, sadness, headaches, frequent colds and changes in sleep or appetite. Chronic stress can lead to — or worsen — serious health problems, including high blood pressure, autoimmune illnesses, digestive issues, depression and anxiety. So it’s important to manage stress, prevent negative stress levels and speak up if you are feeling overwhelmed.
The first two suggestions to overcome the stress that would work for me are: First, Making an activities schedule, prioritize the list and focus on one task at a time will help a lot to make you feel relaxed. Multitasking rarely works. Second, doing exercises. All forms of exercise reduce stress hormones, flood the body with feel-good endorphins, improve mood, boost energy and provide a healthy distraction from your dilemmas. Plus, exercise may make you less susceptible to stress in the long run.
Going back to school has pushed my time by the hours I need to give to come to classes and do homework. So, I had to order my activities, to prioritize some of them giving them more time and stopping others. For example, I used to watch TV many hours and talk on the phone so long, but now I watch some TV only on weekends and I changed calls for short texting. So, I have more time for important things such family and studies.
Another thing I have implemented is doing exercises. I started to run at mornings at least 30 minutes three times a week. Also, I go to gym on weekend. At this way, endorphins can do the job and help to me to feel happy and keep stress away.

Using Study Techniques.
Taking classes is not only going to school and seat on a chair. Courses require an understanding level due the complex of the topics in many cases. In order of keeping the pace of the class it is necessary to use some techniques of study for being an active learner. Many people recognize that each person prefers different learning styles and techniques. Learning styles group common ways that people learn. Everyone has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the other styles. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances. There is no right mix. Nor are your styles fixed. You can develop ability in less dominant styles, as well as further develop styles that you already use well.
The first two techniques I am using at school are: First, Critical Thinking. Reading and thinking critically requires you to understand when information is being presented fairly. When we listen to the teacher or when we read a book, it is helpful make questions such what the purpose of the author is, what the main idea is, thinking is he/her opinion is useful or not. This include analyze, synthesis and make a conclusion about we listen or read. Second, Note-Taking. When we listen a class is useful write down ideas and concepts we listen, but it is no possible write all. So, we have to listen to the teacher carefully and get main ideas and write them. While we do it we could miss some words or even phrases, but we can leave blank spaces and we check them after the class is done.
On my personal experience, before starting classes I did no use any specific technique to help myself to understand any topic at class, but now I try to be an active learner using the steps learned in the course such analyze what we read, make a summarize, evaluate alternatives and make a conclusion. Sometimes I read a specific paragraph more than one time to have a clear idea about I read. So I can make a better analyzing and synthetizing.
While the teacher speaks I pay attention carefully so I can take note avoiding to miss details. Then, when the class is done I make a double check on my notes.
Conclusion.
The life at school is no easy. Overcoming challenges faced at school demand basically, decision.
This will ensure the perseverance needed to finish the school successfully. Also, managing stress intelligently facilitate us carry out our activities without interruptions caused by the effects of stress. Taking-note practice will help to develop our capacity of understanding of topics during classes.
REFERENCES

John-Erik. Babel.com Tips and Tricks to Learn Any Language. https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/10-tips-from-an-expert.

The Jed Foundation. Helpful tips on how to manage every day stress. http://www.ulifeline.org/articles/427-managing-stress.

McWhorter, Kathleen T. Study and Critical Thinking Skills in College, 7th Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions, 02/2010. VitalBook file.