Should you go back to school? School is a serious proposition, but a very fulfilling one. Consider these eight questions before making your decision.
1. Why are you thinking about going back to school?
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Why is going back to school on your mind lately? Is it because your degree or certificate will help you get a better job or promotion? Are you bored and looking for a way out of your current situation? Are you retired and want the thrill of working for a degree you've always desired?
Be sure you're going to school for the right reason or you might not have the determination you need to see it through.
2. What exactly do you want to accomplish?
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What is it that you're hoping to achieve by going back to school? If you need your GED credential, your goal is crystal clear.
If you already have your nursing degree and want to specialize, you've got lots of options. Choosing the right option will make your journey more efficient and more economical. Know what's involved in getting exactly what you want.
3. Can you afford to go back to school?
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School can be expensive, but help is out there. If you need financial aid, do your research ahead of time. Find out how much money you need and how you might get it. Student loans aren't the only option. Look into grants and pay-as-you-go.
Then ask yourself if your level of desire is worth the cost. Do you want to go back to school badly enough to make the work and expense worth it?
4. Does your company offer tuition reimbursement?
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Many companies offer to reimburse employees for the cost of education. This isn't just out of the goodness of their hearts. They stand to benefit too. If your company offers tuition reimbursement, take advantage of the opportunity. You get an education and a better job, and they get a smarter, more-skilled employee. Everybody wins.
Keep in mind that most companies require a certain grade point average. Like everything else, know what you're getting into.
5. Can you afford not to go back to school?
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Investing in your education is one of the smartest things you will ever do. The National Center for Education Statistics collected data in 2007 showing that a 25-year-old male with a bachelor's degree earns a median income more than $22,000 higher than one with a high-school diploma.
Each degree you earn increases your opportunities for higher income.
6. Is this the right time in your life?
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Life demands different things of us at different stages. Is this a good time for you to go back to school? Do you have the time you'll need to go to class, read, and study? Do you know how to manage stress? Will you still have time to work, to enjoy your family, to live your life?
Consider the things you might have to give up in order to devote yourself to your studies. Can you do it?
7. Is the right school within reach?
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Depending on your goal, you might have lots of options open to you, or very few. Is the school you need available to you, and can you get in? Remember that getting your degree or certificate might be possible online.
Consider which school best matches what you want to achieve, and then find out what their admission process requires.
8. Do you have the support you need?
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Remembering that adults learn differently than children and teens, think about whether or not you have the support you need to go back to school. Are there people in your life who will be your cheerleaders? Do you need someone to help you with child care while you go to school? Will your employer allow you to study during breaks and slow times?
Finishing school will be up to you, but you don't have to do it alone.
