EVEN though you may be cruising along in your professional life, you may feel the need to go back to college again -- perhaps to hone your professional skills, switch careers or to do just what you always wanted to do!

I did just that. After 10 years as a journalist, I decided to take up a master's degree in journalism.
I’d even forgotten to stand up to greet the professor when he entered the classroom! The class was cramped, hot and uncomfortable, but guess who was the only person complaining? Being a student was going to be tough.

But learn I did -- both the course, and the art of being a student. Here’s a few pointers to working professionals slipping into the student mode again.

Illustrations: Abhijeet Kini