While college may not be for everyone, there may be substantial differences in lifetime earnings for people with a degree vs. those without. If you’re wondering “is it too late to go back to school,” the answer is no! It’s never too late to go back to school and achieve your dream, but there are some things to consider to make the most of the experience.
How to Go Back to College
The decision to go back to college can be exciting but overwhelming. Here’s how to get started:
Pick a Desired Field
What you choose to study is influenced by why you’re going back to school as an adult. Are you looking for a career change? Consider looking at the job areas that are growing and the opportunities in your area to improve the likelihood of landing a job after graduation.
If you’re going back to school to finish a degree you started years ago, to fulfill personal goals, or to learn something new, that should guide your decision. Credits you earned toward a previous degree may transfer, but keep in mind that some courses, such as science courses, may “expire” after a certain number of years because of outdated information. Consider whether you’d benefit from staying on the same degree path or switching to something else.
If your reason for going back to school is to explore a passion or fulfill a dream, the sky’s truly the limit. While you should still consider the job opportunities and the potential return on investment for your degree, you have a lot of flexibility to choose what interests you.
Consider Your School Options
Choosing a school can be just as difficult as choosing a major. Cost, program quality, reputation, location, and flexibility can all be factors in picking the right school.
Traditional universities and colleges offer the classic college experience if you prefer in-class lectures and the collaborative experience, but it may be more difficult to work out the schedule and commute if you have obligations to work or family.
For many adult learners, online learning programs offer flexibility to make balancing coursework with responsibilities to a job or family more manageable. Online learning is more common than it once was, so many regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities offer quality education in an online format.
Keep in mind that not all online programs are the same, though. Some online programs use pre-recorded lectures – or asynchronous classes – while others use live sessions. These different formats can impact your schedule and flexibility, so be sure to check into their online class structures.
Meet with an Advisor
Once you’ve chosen a school, get in touch with admissions and speak to an academic advisor to discuss next steps. You can find out which credits may transfer, details about the degree programs you’re interested in, and more. The advisor will help you navigate the entire process and how to get into college as an adult.
Things to Know Before You Go Back to School
While you may be thrilled with the prospect of finishing school as an adult, there are some important considerations:
Financial Considerations
Getting a college degree could expand your job opportunities and increase your earning potential, but it’s a major investment. If your main goal with your degree is lifetime earnings, make sure to carefully consider the school’s tuition, job growth in the field, and salary potential to ensure your decision makes financial sense. You should also consider ways to save on your tuition.
Time Considerations
A college degree can take time. Bachelor’s degrees take four to six years to complete from scratch, less if you have transfer credits or enter an accelerated learning program. Full-time programs offer the shortest time to completion, but they can be demanding. Part-time programs may be easier to balance with work or other responsibilities, but it will take longer to complete your degree.
If time is a concern, there are many ways to fast-track your degree. Transfer credits from a previous program can take care of some of your gen ed coursework to save you time, so be sure to consider your prospective school’s transfer credit policy.
You can also save time by “testing out” of classes with CLEP exams or completing gen ed courses at a local community college or with self-paced learning on an online learning platform like Sophia. This is a great way to take courses when it works best for you, at the pace you’re most comfortable, and speed up your degree program.
Scheduling
Maintaining a course schedule and keeping up with assignments and studying can be more challenging as an adult – especially if you’ve been out of school for a long time. It takes strong time-management skills, dedication, and discipline.
As a working adult, it may be best to find a flexible online program that will help you earn your degree on your schedule. This allows you to prioritize your schoolwork, save time on your commute, and enjoy more flexibility with your classes and assignments. However, some online programs have strict times for lectures and assignments, so make sure you evaluate your options.
Self-paced online courses like Sophia can be helpful for adult learners returning to school. The asynchronous, flexible learning environment gives you the independence to breeze through courses on topics you already know and take your time with courses that are a little more challenging. This ensures that you learn the concepts you need to while making the most of your time.
Once the courses are completed, you can earn college credit by transferring them to your preferred college or university. Make sure to check with your advisor about the school’s transfer credit policy, however.
Is Going Back to School Worth It?
Yes, going back to school can be worth it depending on your goals and plans. There are many reasons to return to learning as an adult, both personal and professional, as well as possible benefits.
One of the biggest advantages of earning a degree is the possibility of more job opportunities and earning potential. You can also use a degree to upskill in your current career to earn more money, get a promotion, or change jobs within the same industry. You may even wish to pursue a graduate degree after earning your bachelor’s to move up in your field and increase your earning potential or marketability even further.
While the main motivations for finishing school may be professional, there’s something to be said about completing a degree for the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Furthering your education, either as a first-time college student or a returning college student, can help you discover new passions, feel more confident, and gain independence.
Explore Self-Paced Sophia Courses
Curious about returning to school as an adult? Designed for flexible learning that’s perfect for adult learners, Sophia partners with 60+ universities that have agreed to accept our courses for transfer credit. Get started with your back-to-school path with a free trial on Sophia today!
