Steps for Adults Returning to Education: 6 Vital Steps to Take
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. When you’re thinking about returning to education, that first step can feel intimidating. Maybe you see that step with a giant gapping crevice in the middle, panicked by the multitude of essentials you must consider before you can even lace up your shoes to start that journey. However, it does not have to be that way. Fortunately, these tips will help quell your fears and guide you towards making the right decisions for you. So, let’s get into how you can confidently make that first step and leap to success.
1. Look for Colleges That Offer Flexible Methods of Completing the Course
As an adult learner, you may encounter new demands on your time and attention. An academic program that requires your physical presence two or three times a week may be difficult when you are holding down a job or taking care of family members.
2. Be Realistic About Your Abilities and Capacity
It is essential to be realistic about the number of college credits you choose to take in the space of one year. You need to accept that you may not be able to complete your degree in one, or even two years. Once you are realistic about this number, every course you take will progressively keep you on track toward your goal of completion, rather than burn you out or overwhelm you before you can even finish.
3. Don’t Overextend Yourself
Once your degree pursuit is underway, you should focus on a healthy balance of academic responsibilities with professional and personal commitments. How you decide that balance is up to your lifestyle and learning style. You may need to try out several different strategies before finding one that works for you.
4. Identify Course Work Time in Your Day
You need to identify time in your day to get your course work completed and stick to it. You may have a sweet spot in your daily schedule, for example, after the kids go to bed or before you leave the house in the morning. Identifying that is essential. DO not allow others to encroach on it either as this will be crucial to your success.
5. Don’t Be Scared to Ask for Support
Think of your education in terms of your goals: personal development, career growth or your family’s future. Ensure family, friends and colleagues understand what this means to you and how it will affect and benefit them. Once you begin your course, build relationships with fellow learners, academic advisors and lecturers. They will prove to be invaluable resources later on in your learning.
6. Think About the Cost
Finishing your degree/qualification and investing in yourself is one of the most vital investments you can make for the future and probably the step with the most planning and challenging decision-making. Paying for your education will depend on your financial means. You should seek out financial aid options and speak to your employer about covering some of the costs since this will be of value to your career.
