Are you looking for a new start in life? Did you start college, but drop out to pursue something else, and now are looking for the chance to go back and do it all over again? Are you thinking about a midlife switch of your career? If you’re in any of these situations, you’re probably wondering about going back to college — and wondering if it’s even worth the time and expense. Perhaps you have a family now and other people who depend on you for financial and emotional support. Can you even manage rigorous coursework, a potential commute to classes, and studying for tests while managing everything else in your day to day life? The answer is yes! There are plenty of institutions across the country who offer flexible and affordable program in areas like communications, psychology, and business, just to name a few that will allow you to go back to school with ease. In fact, it might even be crazy to not do so!
In the Grand Scheme of Things, Is College Really Even That Important?
Everyone seems to be complaining about the cost of college these days, but going to college or getting another degree may actually enhance your earnings in the long run. A Pew Research report was done in 2012, which showed that workers with an undergraduate degree had an annual salary of around $45,500 every year. That’s $15,500 more than workers with only some college education and $17,500 more than those who only had a high school education. Not having any college education could cost you half a million dollars in your lifetime, if you factor in the lost wages from not receiving a higher average salary than those who did attend college. Generally, a college graduate can expect to earn just under $33 per hour on average and they make around 98% more an hour than those without a college degree. So go get that communications degree!
Where Am I Going to Find the Time to Go Back to School?
Chances are good that you’ll still need to work when you go back to school in order to support yourself or your family — and you still have your family to think of too. When are you going to have time to do everything? Though going back for your communications degree or psychology degree, for example, can be intimidating, go for it!
Many colleges now offer night classes or weekend classes, and may even offer a childcare option for small children who need to be watched. If you don’t have a partner or your partner isn’t available, you can also try and take classes online as another option.
If you’re worried about money or transportation, rest assured that many colleges also have an answer for that. Scholarships are often available to help offset the cost of tuition, books, and transportation. There may also be transportation like shuttle buses or a stop on regular public transportation available.
I’m Too Old to Go Back to College…
Perhaps that might have been true once, but not in today’s day and age! There’s an increasing number of nontraditional students going back to college to get a communications degree, MBA, or other degree to get a new start on life.
These degrees can help you start a new career, offering expertise, hands on knowledge, and up to date information about trends, policies, and more. It can help you get taken more seriously when you apply to jobs in that field and lends you the respect due you as a college graduate. In essence, returning to college for either your first degree or another degree can open doors that might have been previously closed.
You can head your own business, turn your ideas and inventions into reality, and launch a new career if you put your mind to it. Getting a college education is just one step along that path.
Make your dreams happen when you back to school. You know the old saying, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Talk to college representatives and see what alternatives they can offer for your situation. Get out there and make your dreams come true.
