Reddit mentions of The Strategic Student Veteran: Successfully Transitioning from the Military to College Academics

Did you go straight to a 4 year or a community college? I went to a community college at first and I highly recommend it. That is sort of why they exist- to help you prepare for a four year degree. You can take a few classes and get back in the swing. My (and most) JuCo offered a class on school habits: how to study, how to take notes, writing papers. I highly recommend one. They are not super challenging, JuCos that is. You could definitely hold down a part time job to pay the bills simultaneously, so you dont waste your GI Bill on community college. Also, there is this helpful book https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Student-Veteran-Successfully-Transitioning/dp/1499341245

But college aint designed to be easy- remember that. It is supposed to be challenging. Even after community college, going to a University was a shock the first couple of semesters. Eventually you get the hang of it, however.

On the social note, I also tried to "fit in" and make friends. Be a part of campus. And I failed. But the truth is.....you will never be a regular student. You are radically different than everyone else on that campus. I'm definitely not suggesting you become the grumpy, recluse vet, but there is not something wrong with you because you are unable to fit in with college students. Dude, they are much younger and much less exposed to the real world. In general, it is harder as adults to make friends. All I can say....PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE. If you want to meet people and make friends, you have to make yourself a bit uncomfortable. What are you into? Find a meetup group or some organization dedicated to it and attend it. I got into vegetable gardening, so I joined a community garden. Met new friends. Many different ideas (for adults) out there- book clubs, sports leagues, volunteer organizations. You can't be a recluse and then complain about not having friends (not saying you have been one). Your school may have a veterans organization. I would at least suggest checking it out. You may or may not take to it. Some are cool, some are stressful and stupid. But I think you owe yourself to at least check it out, if it exist. You might be able to meet some similar people to you.

You owe yourself a college degree. In whatever. You have a fucking mechanism to make it completely free for you. Latest data suggest the average college grad will make $1mil more over their lifetime than a high school grad. You have a chance to attain that for free, so don't give up.