Starting or continuing your higher education journey can be an exciting thing. Whether you're just beginning or picking back up, Porter and Chester Institute (PCI) has a wide variety of career-focused programs that may be a good fit for you. There are also things you can do to prepare you for achieving your higher education diploma that might make the process easier.

Make a Schedule

Making a schedule is a great way to keep organized. In doing this, other things in your life, such as family time, cooking, doctor's appointments, running errands, etc., can also be planned out, as well. A helpful tip is to start a shared family calendar (like Google Calendar, Cozi, CloudCal, etc.) so that everyone is aware of each other's schedules.

Find a Space to Work

Designating a space to get your school work done can help increase productivity. If possible, find a space that's not in a bedroom or kitchen so you can both keep your school life away from distractions and have your school life stay in the workspace.

Organize Transportation

When taking classes on-campus, organizing transportation is important - especially if you need to purchase a car, bus pass, or something else. This is also important if you share a car with someone. In organizing transportation, stress can be eliminated when it comes time to travel to campus.

Find Childcare (if applicable)

If you have children, finding childcare before you start school can be incredibly important. Depending on which PCI campus you attend, there may be childcare options close to the campus or close to where you live. Figuring out childcare plans ahead of time should cause less hassle when it's time to start classes.

Stay Organized

Staying organized before and during school is a way to help you do better in your studies. If you have a desk in an office or room, try having pencil cups, planners, calendars, places for books, chargers, and other things close by and tucked away for if/when you need them.

Going back to school doesn't have to be stressful. With these tips, your higher education journey may be made a little easier. To learn more about PCI and the programs offered, check out the program listings page. If you're ready to get started, visit the online application portal to apply.