Making the decision to go back to school is nothing to be taken lightly. You’re investing a lot of time, money and sweat into completing your degree. Ask yourself these five questions to figure out if it’s the right move for you.
Why do you want to go back or start now for the first time?
Everyone’s reasons for going to school as an adult are different and they’re all valid. First, identify the root of why you’re considering going back to school. It could be that you want to go back as an example for your children, or to fulfill a promise to your parents, or to better your career, or for your own personal achievement. Figuring that out can help you determine if you’re making the decision for the right reasons.What is your motivation level?
Finishing your degree requirements is a marathon, not a sprint. This is especially true for the adult learner. At Amberton, courses are 10 weeks long. This means you can take more classes throughout the calendar year, and the curriculum is slightly condensed compared to the standard college semester.
Your motivation level is typically highest when you’re at the start of something strenuous. Are you mentally prepared to work through the grind until Graduation Day?How is your support system?
Adult students have more to deal with than just going to lectures and completing their course assignments. Many of you have jobs and families that demand your time and attention. They cannot be slid to the back burner.
Before you make the decision to enroll in college, evaluate who your closest supports will be. How will they help you? Which additional responsibilities and tasks will they adopt? Can you share the load with others during this season of your life?Will having a degree bolster your career?
This is a big question to answer. Will your promotional opportunities be dependent on whether or not you have a degree? If you can definitively say you have reached a roadblock in your career (or will eventually) without a bachelor’s or master’s degree, then you should certainly pursue continuing your education. Make moves to improve yourself and set yourself up for the best successes possible.Can you afford to go back?
With that college education comes college tuition. It is an investment, but it can be a sacrifice to make the payments. At Amberton, our goal is to provide quality education at an affordable price. Many of our students graduate with little to no student debt. Additionally, we offer plenty of options on how you can pay for your education. Employers also recognize the value of having an educated workforce. Check with your human resources department about tuition reimbursement benefits before enrolling.
Going back to college as a working adult can feel intimidating. Questions about your capabilities and competence might bounce around in your head. How will you fit in? How will you manage the workload and perform at your best? And most importantly, how will you handle everything else in your life?
Returning to school as a working adult comes with added pressure. You’re balancing real responsibilities—paying the bills, working a 9-5 job, possibly raising kids, and maintaining relationships. However, it’s important to remember that working through college is just a season in your life. You can achieve your goals and fulfill your dreams with determination and planning.
You’re not alone
As a working adult, you’re not the only one returning to school. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 33% of the 18 million undergraduate students in the U.S. are over 25, and 22% are over 30.
Additionally, research by UCLA’s Professor of Education Mike Rose shows that nearly 45% of U.S. postsecondary students did not enroll directly after high school. While everyone’s path is unique, being a non-traditional student is far more common than you might think.
Build a Support System
In any long journey, having support makes the process easier. As you begin your coursework, identify the people who will walk alongside you. This could include your spouse, parents, professors, or advisers.
Additionally, connect with your classmates within your degree program. Lean on one another and share your challenges. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone.
Develop Camaraderie
If you only show up to class, turn in assignments, and check the box, you’ll miss out on a lot. Your peers are a valuable resource, both personally and professionally.
Take the time to engage with your classmates, build connections, and learn from their experiences. Just like you, they bring unique insights and perspectives that can help you grow.
Learn to Study with Distractions
Distractions are a part of life, especially for a working adult. Whether it’s text alerts, Facebook notifications, or looming work deadlines, staying focused can be challenging.
Lean on your support system to help manage responsibilities. Dedicate specific times to schoolwork, even if it means early mornings or late nights. Stick to a routine that allows you to focus on your studies without interruptions.
Focus on What You Can Control
Balancing work, school, and life is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on what you can control and avoid stressing over things you can’t. Manage your time wisely, complete your assignments, and do your best.
Don’t let tomorrow’s worries rob you of today’s progress. Your coursework may feel overwhelming, but the results are worth it.
Take Time to Relax
Your well-being is crucial as a working adult. Take mental health breaks and allow yourself time to decompress. While your friends and family will understand your busy schedule, don’t neglect your relationships. Remember, going back to school is a life-changing decision. By focusing on one step at a time, you can conquer the challenges and achieve your dreams.
Amberton University is designed for the working adult. Our flexible courses create a supportive environment for non-traditional students to thrive. For a glimpse into how Amberton worked for one alumnus, click here to watch the video.
Simply skating through college and getting the work done isn’t anyone’s idea of a great college experience - traditional student or otherwise. If you just want to tread water and get a piece of paper in the end, maybe college isn’t for you.
As an adult learner, it’s safe to say you probably want to thrive and grow during the course of your college career.
It cannot be understated that adult learners have a leg up on students entering college straight out of high school. You have maturity, you have professional and life experience, and you have the skills needed to juggle it all.
When the road seems long and unending, remember: you were made to excel and to achieve much.
Keep in mind some of these basic tips:
Seek a Balance
Rest is an essential part of the human condition. Everyone needs it, everyone benefits from it. Seek and establish a balance between work, school, family and friends.
Don’t get sucked into the vortex of research papers, tests and studying. The better able you are to shift gears, the better you’ll feel and the more you will accomplish in each of your roles.
Be Prepared to Feel Overwhelmed
College is a season of character building. There’s a lot going in your life right now. Expect to have moments where it seems a bit too much. As odd as it might seem, be prepared to feel completely unprepared.
The trick is knowing that you’re not the only one feeling that way. Every single college student has felt that way on more than one occasion. Focus on the horizon and ignore the waves
around you.
Become an Expert on Course Requirements and Due Dates
Your professors will give you all the details you need to be successful for the semester. Memorize the syllabus. You’ll be saving yourself a lot of heartache if you know what you need to do to communicate you understand the material.
Knowing when you have papers due, presentations, and test dates seems like a no-brainer. And it probably is. That doesn’t mean it isn’t something you just might overlook.
However you choose to organize yourself and your calendar is unique to you. If you have to write it in a planner, that’s fantastic. If you have to send yourself faxes from the future, even better. Do not forget due dates and find yourself scrambling the night before.
Develop a Time Management System & Stay On Top of Assignments
When you’re keeping on track and making sure all your responsibilities are staying under control, you’re going to feel like you are thriving. Establishing a time management system will make your life as an adult student much easier and much more enjoyable.
Don’t allow yourself to be swamped by all the different things you have to maintain. Never put off what can be done today.
Get a Study Partner or Study Group
You don't need to make the trek solo to thrive in college. In each course, find a study partner or a small study group. You’ll develop lasting relationships with people that will benefit you (and them) in the present and the future. As a working adult, you understand the importance of networking and relying on others to help improve your own skills. Iron sharpens iron. Study groups make for a better student.
Thriving in college isn’t out of reach or a cheesy catchphrase. At Amberton, the faculty and staff want you to thrive during your time at the university.
Use all of Amberton’s student resources, lean on your fellow students and your family, and you will love every bit of your college experience.