7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Going Back to College
In this modern age, there are many opinions about higher education, as there are more options than ever. The professional world is continually evolving. Most have experienced the rapid implementation of computers, smartphones, and AI into daily life. When considering a college education, the Friends University Team advises all applicants to ask themselves these questions:
- Do I Need a Degree For My Field?
- What skills will I gain from going back to school beyond a degree?
- What financial options do I have to pay for school?
- What about Return on Investment (ROI)?
- Can I make room in my schedule to be a student?
- Do I have the support system to be successful as an adult student?
- Will I find personal fulfillment in completing a degree?
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1. “Do I need a degree for my career?”
A great place to start when considering going back to school is to determine if your current or desired career path will require a degree in that field of study. Some companies will hire you based on your work experience but many employers require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree at minimum. It comes down to where you want to go and what doors you want to have opened for you as you search for employment.
2. “What skills will I gain from going back to school beyond a degree?”
Graduating with a bachelor’s or master’s degree shows that you have dedicated significant time to gaining knowledge and skills in a specific field of study. College students gain a host of other skills from their time in the classroom. For example, a course in ethics or philosophy provides an opportunity for students to share and challenge each other’s ideas. A course in public speaking builds one’s communication skills, the ability to think critically, problem-solve and hear other’s perspectives without judgement or anger. Whether a psychology or business major, skills such as these are essential to a successful career.
3. “What financial options do I have to pay for school?”
Financial obstacles are typically the biggest reason why individuals do not attend college. Whether you attend a community college, state university or private university, it will always come down to the cost it takes to attend. There are many options to consider when addressing your financial concerns. The most common options are student loans or grants, scholarships (institutional or other) and tuition reimbursement benefits offered by your employer. It is essential to explore and understand all the tools at your disposal to determine how you will cover the cost of school. If you are interested in understanding more about these options, check out our website at friends.edu/financial-aid or contact Friends University directly to speak with a staff member who will be only too happy to advise you.
4. “What about Return on Investment (ROI)?”
If you have determined that you can afford the cost of going back to school, you should also consider this decision like you would any investment of your time and money. When you walk across the stage or are awarded your degree, what employment opportunities will follow? To help determine this, consider talking with your employer about what opportunities for pay increases or job changes a college degree will be made available to you. If you are moving into a new field, sites like Glassdoor or LinkedIn can help give you a better idea of what earnings you can expect.
5. “Can I make room in my schedule to be a student?”
If you are an adult learner, you likely have concerns regarding the calendar. You may already have a full-time job as well as a family. Many find it impossible to add school to an already full life. There may be seasons of your life that are less crazy than others but there probably won’t be a “perfect” or “easy” time to work towards a degree in adulthood. The good news is that our Friends Flex programs can all be completed online and can work with your busy schedule – you may only have to enroll in 1 or 2 classes at a time. This means you can cater your school load to the season you are in. Do you have an easier summer coming up? Then it might be time to load up and get some work done!
6. “Do I have the support system to be successful as an adult student?”
Just as a traditional undergraduate student needs to lean on their parents and loved ones for support, so do adult and online students! Everyone thrives in a community whether they realize it or not. They need people to look to for help when discouragement creeps in. Regardless of your situation, a support system is vital, whether in school or not. When preparing to go back to school as an adult, take some time to talk with your partner, friends and peers to process the upcoming challenges. It takes a village!
7. “Will I find personal fulfillment in completing a degree?”
If there is one consistent story you will hear from adults who finish their degree, it is the amount of pride and confidence they have after so much hard work. Many adult learners find a deeper appreciation for education when they return to the classroom. Like anyone, they had their own doubts, fears and times of discouragement where they felt that the challenge of completing a degree would be too much. But when adult students are finally awarded that degree, nearly all of them will share of a new sense of gratitude, drive and self-respect.
If the idea of going back to school as an adult is a bit intimidating, hopefully this blog has provided you with a framework to process that decision. Investing in yourself may not always seem convenient, but it is most certainly valuable. If you would like to learn more about Friends University and what being an adult student can look like, schedule a visit today!