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BUSINESS WOMEN SCOTLAND 21
You’re never too old
Top Tips for Adults Returning to Education
By Sharon Epperson
Banking on going back
to school as a way
to get a leg up in the
job market? Nearly 4
million adults who are
35 and older are enrolled
in a degree-granting
institution, according to
the National Center for
Education Statistics.
M
ore than two-thirds are women.
Despite a slack job market,
many may hope an advanced
degree or new credential will
make them more “marketable”,
helping them find work in a new
field, land a higher-paid position,
or simply hold onto the job they have in an increasingly
competitive environment.
Is going back to school worth it? It can be.
Determine your professional goal, what experience is needed
to get there, as well as the overall educational costs.
Dani Babb, a professor and author of “The Adult
Student: An Insider’s Guide to Going Back to School,”
said whether it is necessary to go back to school will also
depend on the type of program and school you choose.
“College is not necessarily [the] best choice if the career
you go into won’t pay back the debt that you’d incur. It
might make more sense to go to community college or
enroll in an online program,” she said.
Choose the most affordable college, university, or
professional school—whether a traditional or online
program. Keep in mind you may need to be enrolled at
least “half-time” to receive financial aid. There also may
be some restrictions. Some financial aid, including grants
and scholarships, may be limited to those pursuing their
first bachelor’s degree. That said, you don’t necessarily
have to rely solely on loans.
Develop a Network
Returning to education after a long period can seem
very daunting. Developing a network of friends and
acquaintances can greatly enhance your experience.
Adult learners often fit their classes and study time
around family and other commitments and may not
spend a great deal of time at their place of learning.
Some people will be studying part time and may spend
even less time there. Developing a group of friends who
you can discuss course work and assignments with
and borrow or swap notes with if you miss a class is
very important. Remember that everyone is in the same
boat as you.
Get Involved
The first few weeks of your course are the best time to
meet other people. Attend classes and lectures and
ask questions if you are unsure, the chances are 90%
of the class are thinking the same thing but are too shy
or nervous to ask for fear of looking stupid. Get to know
your lecturers or tutors and remember they are there to
help you. Get to know your surroundings whether it’s
the library, the coffee shop or the Students Services.
The more time you spend there the more you will start
to feel comfortable and begin to enjoy the experience.
Plan Your Time
Time Management is crucial for everyone when returning
to education, particularly for adult learners who are often
juggling education with family and other commitments.
A timetable can be useful to help you keep track of your
time. Make a list of all your commitments and classes
and then fit in study time around this. Learn to prioritise
and except that you can’t do everything, but you can
always do something. Start projects and assignments
early, it will save you a lot of stress and headaches and
will avoid any panic the night before it’s due.
Use Technology
Returning to education can bring many challenges and
using computers and the internet can be one of them.
Use this as an opportunity to upgrade your computer
skills. Computer technology is often used extensively
through colleges and universities for learning and can
be a great tool for accessing resources and completing
course work. Some courses may also have online
groups where you can discuss topics and assignments.
Ask what computer supports and access is available to
you at your place of learning. n