Should you go back to school as an adult?

So, you’re thinking about going back to school as a mature student.

(“Mature” as in old, by the way. Not “mature” as in not laughing when someone says something super inappropriate and juvenile).

Why go back to school as an adult?

There are a lot of reasons why you would consider going back to school. It’s possible you’ve already spent years in university getting a certificate or degree, or perhaps this will be your first go-round. Either way, if you’re considering spending some time in university during your adult years it’s likely because you’re wanting a career change.

This is an absolutely normal and justified desire. Think about how much you’ve grown over the years and all of the experiences that have helped shape the person that you are today; and perhaps the person that you want to be. It’s natural to grow out of a position or develop a passion for a new one. Exploring these options is normal and fantastic!

Things to consider before going back to university:

Finances

Getting a university degree is expensive. it’s not just the tuition fees and textbooks, but it’s the little things like not being able to cook dinner because you’re trying to get a huge project completed so you order pizza for the fifth time that week.

Check with your Financial Aid in your institution of choice. They should be able to guide you to where you can get some assistance with finances. There are usually loads of scholarships and bursaries that you can apply for, as well as grants through Student Loans (P.S. You don’t have to take out the loans to qualify for grants).

The other financial consideration is if you’re going to have to take time off of work to be able to pursue this endeavour. There are often options for night classes or online classes, but realistically working a full-time job is going to likely limit your ability to take a full course load.
I tried to take three classes, work 30 hours a week, and raise my four kids. It didn’t take me long to burn out.

Support

It’s not an easy thing to go back to school as an adult. Not only is it a big time commitment, but there’s an emotional ride that you end up on, too. Let me tell you, walking into a classroom filled with students that are a year or two older than your child is a sobering experience. Navigating how to work with people that you’re going to be doing projects with, studying together, and getting to know that are significantly younger than you can be a bit of a culture shock. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve met some incredible folks who are considerably younger than me, but I’ve also had to reach down deep to find appropriate methods of dealing with those who have been a bit more of a challenge.

There will be times you’ll want to quit your pursuit of obtaining a new education as an adult. It’s A LOT! You need a support network to help get you over those humps where you don’t think you were cut out for this and want to quit four days before the final exam.

If you have a partner and/or children make sure they’re fully aware of your plans, including why you want to go back to school as an adult. Explain that some of the responsibilities that are required of you will need to be delegated out to reduce what you need to do.

why EXACTly do you want to go back?

Is there a position that you’re hoping to obtain once you’re finished going back to university? Are you wanting to supplement your education for a position you’re currently in? Are you hoping to completely shift your career path altogether?

Having a solid idea of what you want to go back for will help you figure out the program that you should enrol in. It can be a bit tricky to get your head fully wrapped around the classes that you need to take, pre-requisites for these classes, if substitutions are available, if you can get those credits through another institution, and what your entire education will ultimately get you in terms of a degree.

Talk to an advisor before you get started. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction to make sure that you’re maximizing your time going back to university. Remember when you were 18 and time seemed plentiful and never-ending? That’s simply not the case anymore. Every moment matters (and every dollar) so make sure you’re spending both time and money wisely.

If you’re unsure about exactly what it is that you want to do but know you want to go back to university try talking to your institution’s counsellor. They often offer career planning and guidance.

Lastly, I want to say: GOOD FOR YOU for even considering going back to school as an adult. It’s NOT easy. At the time of this article, I’ve been in school for two years working on my degree and I can testify that it’s incredibly challenging and also incredibly rewarding.

If you have anything else that might help someone with this decision put it in the comments below