Chances are that if you have been out of the classroom for an extended period of time, your computer knowledge may be limited. While returning to school does not require you to be a computer whiz, basic knowledge of programs and applications will likely be necessary. It doesn't have to be a scary venture to undertake, and you will find plenty of help out there just waiting to be tapped.

What You Need

What and how much you need to learn about computers depends on your current knowledge and what you are returning to school to study. In this technologically advanced world, there are few occupations that do not use computers in some form. However, if you are interested in fields such as communications, information technology or business administration, you will need to get comfortable with computers.

If you are taking an online course, you must be able to use a computer, the Internet and e-mail to even participate. Find out what programs and software the course requires you to know well in advance. You may opt to take a refresher course or two if you don't think your computer skills are up to the task.

Whether you can buy a computer or not, you want to be sure that while in school, you can get time on a computer every day. You may have a friend or relative with a computer or you can choose to use the library nearest you. Perhaps your boss will allow you to use a company computer before- or after-hours. The school you attend may also offer access to computers.

Computers are Vital to Education

No matter how you gain access to a computer, you will want to be sure that you can use it on a regular basis. This is especially important for those taking online classes. Of course, it is always ideal to have a home computer so that you can use it at any hour of the day. If other members of your family use the computer as well, it is helpful to draw up a schedule of use. Your stress level will be much lower once you have made concrete plans for computer access.

Computers will play a role in nearly all of the classes you take. At minimum you will need to know how to start and turn off a computer, as well as how to open and close windows and programs. You will also need to develop typing skills and learn how to use the keyboard functions, mouse and disks. Other important computer skills include managing files, editing and saving documents, and printing.

Research is done mostly on the Internet, and today's libraries have computerized their card catalogs, so almost everyone needs to be able to get around on a computer. Once you start doing research on the Internet, you will likely visit your local librarian much less frequently. The Internet has made research much more interactive and simple. You will also need Internet access in order to communicate with your teachers and fellow classmates through the use of e-mail.

You will use word processing to write and edit your research papers and other documents for school. This will require knowledge of Windows and also a program such as Microsoft Word. If you are working with numbers, you are likely to be required to have knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

Help is Out There

Computer support is extremely important for students to have. If you feel that your skills are outdated, you will find many programs that offer refresher courses, as well as courses for beginners. You name the area of computer knowledge, and you will probably find a course out there that covers it. Some schools, communities and employers offer computer courses at little or no cost to you.

Computer books that cover most imaginable subjects are available at the library and at book stores. You can also find one-on-one help, or you could ask a teenager you know to put down the video games and show you the ropes on the computer. Your kids will probably get a kick out of being able to help Mom or Dad! Other go-to people are your teachers, classmates and school computer-lab techs.

Another way to get help with your computer comprehension is the purchase of educational software. These software programs are often interactive tutorials and can be found in stores or on the Internet. But before you buy anything, be sure to make use of the tutorials that are built-in to most of your computer programs. They are free and will take you step-by-step through processes, and they can even help you troubleshoot when you run into a problem.

Computers have become a major part of the educational process, especially in the last decade. If you are not confident about your computer skills, you are not alone. Many other people feel the same way, and you will discover plenty of ways to get the help you need. Once you have access to a computer and the right training, there is no limit to what you can learn.