From Doubt to Diploma: Overcoming the Fear of Returning to School as an Adult

Read time: 5 minutes

For many adults, the idea of going back to school later on in life can feel intimidating. If you never finished high school, doubts may creep in: What if I can’t keep up? What if it’s too late? What if I fail again? These fears are common—and completely understandable. But the truth is, it’s never too late to take control of your education and your future. 

At Smart Schools, we understand the unique concerns adult learners face. We’ve seen countless students come through our program with the same worries, only to discover that they are more capable and prepared than they ever imagined. If you’re hesitant about returning to school, let’s look at some of the most common fears—and how to overcome them. 

Fear #1: “I’ve been out of school too long.” 

It’s natural to worry that you won’t remember what you once learned, or that starting again after years away will feel impossible. The good news? You don’t have to start where you left off. At Smart Schools, your program is personalized to your pace and your needs. 

Plus, as an adult, you bring real-world skills—like problem-solving, time management, and responsibility—that often make you a stronger student than you were as a teenager. Many of our adult students are surprised to find they learn more efficiently now because they’re motivated by clear goals for their future. 

Fear #2: “I won’t have time to balance school with my life.” 

Between work, family, and daily responsibilities, it’s easy to feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to go back to school. Traditional classrooms require you to follow a strict schedule, but Smart Schools is different. Our online program is designed to be flexible—you can complete your coursework when it works best for you. 

Whether that’s early mornings before work, during your lunch break, or late evenings after your kids go to bed, you’re in control of your learning schedule. This flexibility allows adults to balance their education with the rest of life’s demands without burning out. 

Fear #3: “What if I’m not smart enough?” 

This is one of the most common fears adult learners carry. Maybe school felt overwhelming before, or you struggled with certain subjects. But needing help doesn’t mean you’re not capable. 

At Smart Schools, you’re never on your own. You’ll have access to supportive teachers and staff who are committed to helping you succeed. With encouragement, personalized guidance, and resources designed for adult learners, you’ll discover that you are smart enough—you simply needed the right environment to learn. 

Fear #4: “What if others judge me for finishing late?”  

Many adults hesitate to return to school because they are worried about being judged for going back to school later in life. There’s no shame in pursuing your education later in life. In fact, it shows incredible courage and determination. Showing others you can overcome a challenge, like finishing school, makes the effort worthwhile. 

Every Smart Schools student shares one thing in common: the desire to create a better future. You’ll be surrounded—virtually—by others who understand your journey and are working toward the same goal. Instead of embarrassment, most students quickly feel a sense of pride and empowerment. 

Fear #5: “What if I fail again?” 

The fear of repeating past mistakes can affect us significantly, but it doesn’t have to hold us back. Being afraid to fail is a common reason why many people don’t try something for the first time or again and again. But here’s the thing —success doesn’t always happen right away, you must keep trying. You will never know how far you will go, if you don’t try.   

With Smart Schools, you’ll have the tools and support you need to reach the finish line. The program is flexible so you can progress at your own pace.  From flexible scheduling to one-on-one encouragement, our program is built to help students succeed where traditional systems may not have worked before. 

The Rewards of Returning 

Overcoming the fear of going back to school is worth it. Earning your high school diploma opens doors to better jobs, higher pay, and opportunities for further education. More importantly, it builds confidence and pride in yourself. You’ll know that you didn’t let fear or circumstances stop you—that you pushed through and achieved something life-changing. 

Take the First Step 

Fear is normal, but it doesn’t have to stop you. Thousands of adults have walked the same path and discovered that going back to school was one of the best decisions they ever made. 

At Smart Schools, we believe in second chances and fresh starts. If you’re over 22 and ready to take control of your future, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way. 

You don’t have to let fear decide your future. Enroll today with Smart Schools—and prove to yourself what you’re truly capable of. 

How to Get Started  

Ready to earn your high school diploma? Getting started is simple. Contact Smart Schools today to learn more about our free tutoring, academic advising, and flexible learning options. You can achieve your dreams and build a brighter future with the proper support.  

The Impact of Relationships on Your Mental Health

Through this blog series about mental health and online learning, we are exploring the many challenges students face, whether learning online or not, the ways our online students can combat these issues, and the supports available for Smart Schools students when those problems grow too big to handle alone.

Whether you are someone who is energized by being surrounded by others or are more introverted, the relationships you keep and cultivate in your life will have a strong impact on your overall mental health. If you are surrounded by individuals who engage in toxic behaviors or those who behave or communicate violently, then you will experience life in a different way from someone who is not. This is why the relationships and types of communication you have in your life are so important.

The Impact of Relationships in Your Life

Jim Rohn, a motivational speaker, said that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If your group is full of people committed to the hustle and grind culture or those who highly value achievement, you’ll likely find yourself committed to much of the same. If your friends spend more time focusing on fun or friendship, your life will hopefully be filled with similar values and events. We present these different things without judgment because your life should be filled with people aligned to your personal values.

In order to cultivate a group that pushes you to be your best, you have to first determine what your personal values are. Take a moment now to write down keywords that align to your values system - what is most important to you? How do you spend most of your time? What do you want your life and your future to look like? Knowing these things will help you to cultivate a life you love, and to ensure you are surrounded by the right team of people.

Once you have decided what matters most to you in your life, you can then look at the people who are in your life. Are there friends, family, or other relationships in your life that are in direct opposition to your core values? Perhaps these are people who you should consciously decide to spend less time with or to draw very specific boundaries in order to save your sanity and peace. Are there those in your life who push you closer to your values? These are probably relationships you should spend more time investing in or working to grow closer with.

Cultivating Relationships You Love

Editing the groups of people who have close contact and can positively or negatively impact your life can dramatically change your trajectory. But sometimes when we look around at those closest to us and see lots of toxic traits and negative coping behaviors, it can feel like placing boundaries around our time means we will be completely alone. Cultivating relationships that have a positive effect on you can be difficult, especially if you’ve only ever known negative relationships.

First, know the difference between truly toxic relationships and ones that simply annoy you. For example, when a parent or friend tells you “like it is” or gives you feedback you don’t love to hear, that can be difficult, annoying, and even hurtful. Many people will say that their intention wasn’t to challenge you or hurt you. But even if their intention is to help you, that doesn’t change the impact. So when evaluating whether a relationship is toxic, look at how they respond when told how they have hurt you. If they excuse their behavior or blame you for your own sensitivities, this may be a toxic relationship.

Additionally, learn how to communicate non-violently. In Marshall Rosenberg’s book, Nonviolent Communication, he outlines how you can approach these situations. Start by identifying your own emotions. How do you feel - frustrated, lonely, unsupported? Then ask yourself why. Then, when you express your feelings, follow this format: “When you [said or did] X, I felt Y.” This book also includes great suggestions for empathizing with others and apologizing when you’ve done something wrong, but this is a great start for communicating your emotions to others.

Coping with Feelings of Loneliness

When discussing relationships, it is important to acknowledge one feeling that is felt by human beings universally - loneliness. Every human has felt and will feel lonely throughout their journey through humanity. However, it is incredibly important to remember that you are never alone.

While knowing that loneliness is experienced universally is one thing, coping with those feelings can be entirely different. There is always support, love, and help if you reach outside of yourself. That may mean joining a club or a class - your school, library, or local community center can be a great place to start looking for free or low-cost options. Additionally, many people find great solace in the communities they create and find online. And anyone with a pet knows the healing powers of their snuggles when they are having a bad day.

But finding and creating community cannot fix all things. Sometimes, these feelings become too big to manage on your own. Reaching out to a therapist or counselor can help. While the stigma around mental health, therapy, and drug interventions have decreased in recent years, it is important to reiterate that these tools can help you. They do not represent a weakness or personal failure, but actually, strength that you have reached out at all. Finding the support you need means you are fighting, and that should be celebrated.

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Student Mental Health: Dealing with Grief

This is a blog series about mental health and online learning. We explore the many challenges students face through this series, whether learning online or not, how our online students can combat these issues and the support available for Smart Schools students when those problems grow too big to handle alone.

Grief is the reaction to a loss - whether from losing a loved one, a pet, or a job. No one processes grief in the same amount of time, and for some, their grief can be persistent. Grief is different from abstract loss, which is more related to the loss of routine or coping skills.

Understanding Grief

Know that there is no right way to grieve. For some people, grieving may look like crying or just struggling to complete your daily tasks. This is normal and healthy. Others may not react at all, pr they may even laugh. These reactions are also normal.

Grief will impact people differently but can absolutely have mental and physical effects on you. This might include difficulty with focus, memory, and mood. Try to treat yourself with grace.

If you are supporting someone experiencing grief, keep the impact of grief in mind and show understanding, support, offer reminders, and try not to take others’ grief personally. It would be best if you did not force them to talk about their loss. This can cause them harm. You want to be comforting while validating their feelings and asking honest questions about how you can support them. If you don’t know what to say, start by telling them that you are there for them and want to support them however you can.

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