---
title: How to Avoid Educational Roadblocks
description: Common educational roadblocks that graduate students run into when returning to school and how to overcome them.
image: https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hubfs/GCE/The%20Road%20to%20Success%20is%20Always%20Under%20Construction%20sign%20on%20desert%20road.jpeg
---
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# [ ](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce)
## [How to Avoid Educational Roadblocks](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/road-blocks-and-how-to-avoid-them)
Posted by [Amber Deschenes](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/author/amber-deschenes) on March 22, 2017 at 1:40 PM
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In everyday life, roadblocks are those unexpected things that pop up and make your life more difficult. Whether you need a referral to schedule a doctor’s appointment resulting in ANOTHER phone call, or an actual roadblock where a trip that was supposed to take 10 minutes now takes 30, or returning to school and having something small turn into something huge, we're here to help!
Below are common issues that adult learners face and the easiest ways to avoid or overcome them.
**COMMON ROADBLOCKS**
- unable to register for a course because of prerequisites
- financial aid is unavailable
- not being able to start a particular semester because your application is not complete
- trouble getting in touch with your advisor to hash out your plan of study and putting a halt on your progress
- not knowing who your advisor is and how to obtain this information
We often hear about these roadblocks from our students, and whether it's the reason they [stopped attending classes years ago](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/return-to-school), or a more recent hiccup, we are here to help.
So what should you do to avoid educational roadblocks?
**APPLY EARLY**
This goes for the [admissions application](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/admissions/applying/) and for [financial aid](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/offices-services-directory/financial-aid-office/).
You need to apply early, especially if you need financial aid to register for your classes. Rule of thumb is to always complete your [FAFSA](https://fafsa.ed.gov/) early (or along with your application). We find that if students complete this form well in advance of the start of the semester, and everything is in effect when they register, then they usually don’t run into any problems. Not familiar with your financing options? Visit our [financing your graduate and continuing education](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/graduate-online-continuing-education/financing-your-education/) page for more information.
Even though we have [rolling admissions](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/rolling-admissions-what-it-is-and-how-you-can-benefit-from-it), you should aim to have your application in 6 weeks prior to the start of the semester to ensure all paperwork is processed prior to the start of the semester.
**PLAN AHEAD**
You plan ahead when making a big investment like buying a car or planning a vacation, why not plan ahead when applying to school?
- Transfer credits - Make sure they are processed so you can avoid taking a course you have already taken.
- Plan of study - Contact your advisor prior to the start of the semester.
- Who is my advisor? - If you're not sure who your advisor is, contact [Graduate and Continuing Education](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/graduate-online-continuing-education/about-gce/) or learn more on our [Find Your Advisor](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/graduate-online-continuing-education/evening-student-resource-center/find-your-advisor/) page. We’re here to help in any way we can, even something as simple as a name and phone number.
Every student takes a different path on their road to education. If you have a roadblock that isn’t listed above contact us in the Graduate and Continuing Education Office at 978-665-3182 or [gce@fitchburgstate.edu](mailto:gce@fitchburgstate.edu) for assistance with getting back on track. We’re open late to meet your busy schedule.
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