Going Back to School as an Adult
By Mila Sanchez
School is back in session, and evidence of that is all around. School sales, coffee shops crowded with students, and your own kids being back in the swing of things have got school on your mind. Perhaps you never went to college, or you have been contemplating getting a master’s, and school is on your mind now more than ever.
If you are seriously thinking about going back to school, but have some reservations, let this article help you make a decision.
Photo courtesy of Flickr
A Degree Helps Your Career
There is no doubt about it, a degree is going to help you in the career department. If you are feeling stuck in your current line of work, or are wanting a hard-to-get promotion, an advanced degree is going to give your credentials a boost that will help you to stand out. Even jobs that don’t require a degree are more likely to be filled by someone who has a bachelor’s or higher — especially if it’s in a related field.
Not only is your hiring and promotion potential better when you have a degree, your salary potential is significantly better. While there are jobs out there that will hire you without a degree, those same jobs — and better jobs — are likely to pay you more if you have a degree beyond just a high school diploma. According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, “Graduates with a bachelor’s degree are likely to earn more than $14,000 more than those with an associate’s degree – and a staggering $23,000 more than high school graduates.” This is especially significant in today’s economy, where the cost of living continues to skyrocket, but minimum wage is stagnant.
Expanding your Mind and Feeling Accomplishment
Other than the career benefits, there are other life benefits to getting and finishing a degree. If you are already thinking about going to school, chances are it’s been a goal of yours for a long time, and you just haven’t had the time, money, or motivation to go through with it.
But there is no time like now to start accomplishing your life goals, especially when it comes to getting a degree. It’s never going to feel like the right time, so you have to make the decision that now is the right time. Working on achieving a big goal like going back to school will reap many benefits, such as giving your life focus and drive, expanding your mind, and encouraging you to live your best life. Getting a bachelor’s degree is a great achievement that takes hard work and perseverance, and when you finish you will not only feel great, you will also be stronger for it.
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Managing Your Adult Life and School
It can be hard to manage school with your adult responsibilities, but it’s definitely not impossible. With today’s advancements and technology, getting to class is just a click away. Online schooling has made it possible for people to work school around their lives, rather than the other way around. While there will still be an increased demand of your time when you are juggling school and work, there are ways you can do more in less time.
You might also be worried about getting back into the groove of school when you’ve been out of the educational loop for a while. But you shouldn’t be too worried, because you have been managing a career where there are workloads and deadlines, and school is just the same — you just get graded instead of paid. Moving from career mode to school mode just takes a little bit of a mental shift and and some extra focus.
If going back to school, whether for your first degree or your third, is something you want to accomplish in your life, there is no time like the present to get started. There are so many benefits to having a degree, and with a thoughtful and serious approach, you can make the most of the experience.
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