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Not everyone has the experience of completing their degree on a traditional timetable, but that doesn’t mean your academic dreams are over. If you’re considering going back to school to pursue your education, you may have a lot of questions, including if it is even possible at this stage of your life. Don’t worry, though. Even if you have a busy schedule, it is possible to go back to school as an adult.
The idea of going back to school as an adult may be a little intimidating. You might wonder if you’re too old or even up to the challenge. But whether you’re 20 or 30, or even 40, 50, or more, completing your degree is possible. Many online schools know that not everyone can follow the traditional path or timeline towards receiving an education and degree, so their programs are specifically designed to work for a variety of lifestyles and backgrounds. Garrik Haynes, an online school graduate, found this worked best for him. "Having this self-paced learning allowed me to actually schedule the lessons around my life versus my life around the lessons,” he says.
Time, funds, and motivation all contribute to why going back to school as an adult is so difficult. The older we get, the more our list of responsibilities seems to grow and before we know it, we’re running around in a frenzy, drowning under bills, too tired to do much after work besides curl up on the couch with the latest bingeworthy show. The thought of throwing school into the mix may seem unthinkable, but next to nothing is impossible.
Read more: Is Online College Easier or Harder?
The biggest concern amongst most adult learners is usually the question of finding the time. Attending scheduled classes can pose a serious problem if you’re a parent working around nap schedules and after school activities or have a full-time job that takes up most of your day. Then finding time to read and work on papers can be even more complicated. But with online schools, you never have to leave the comfort of your home to work on your studies. In fact, you may be able to complete coursework wherever it is most convenient for you since all courses are often online and self-paced. That means you can fit studying into children’s nap times, your lunch breaks, or evening hours. You can take as much or as little time as you need to get the job done.
While this flexibility can make it easier to go back to school as an adult, you should still consider taking some steps to make the transition easier for you. Having the ability to work your studies around whatever pops up in life is great, but you should establish some structure to ensure you don’t waste time or get too distracted. Some tips to help you get started include:
Read more: 8 Easiest Degrees You Can Earn in Two Years
Like most things, the ability to go to school full time as an adult depends on your situation. Some people may have the support and lifestyle to be able to do this. For many, however, this is not feasible due to jobs or familial responsibilities or both.
With online programs that are self-paced, you determine how much time you dedicate to school. Your education fits into your schedule, not the other way around. Online school graduate Dana Perea is a great example. As a dedicated mother of two, she transitioned from a career in banking to the legal field by earning her paralegal certificate through an online program. Despite the challenges of being a single parent, Dana leveraged the flexibility of online education to achieve her goals.
You might be wondering if it’s even worth it to take on this challenge with so much already going on in your life. Many people have families and jobs that take up most of their time, so adding something new onto your to-do list might seem a little crazy. While not every job requires a college degree, having one never hurts. Going back to school as an adult can help open new opportunities professionally. This can mean a promotion with a title change that may include a pay increase or a new job or career entirely. It can mean a better quality of life for you and your family, as well as increased job satisfaction.
If you are a parent, going back to school as an adult can also serve as inspiration for your children, encouraging them to work hard towards reaching their goals at any age. This can also extend to other members of your family, such as siblings or significant others.
While worth it, going back to school isn’t necessarily easy. Online school graduate Jeremiah Williams shares his experience: “It is tough, it's hard and it's not necessarily like the individual classes are hard. It's making that commitment that's hard. But you reap what you sow, and if you make that commitment and you tie into it, I mean, the sky's the limit. You know you can improve your life situation... You can change your situation. You have the power to change your situation. It's in your hands. You just gotta lock down and do it.”
Read more: Are Online College Degrees Worth It? (Stories From Online College Grads)
While this flexibility can make it easier to go back to school as an adult, you should still consider taking some steps to make the transition easier for you. Having the ability to work your studies around whatever pops up in life is great, but you should establish some structure to ensure you don’t waste time or get too distracted. Some tips to help you get started include:
Unlike many other colleges and universities, you won’t need any standardized test scores like the ACT or SAT - just your high school diploma. Plus, with no set enrollment period, you can sign up any day of the year.
If you’re ready to take the leap towards earning your degree, it’s as easy as 1-2-3 to enroll with Ashworth.
It’s a big decision to make, but if you’re serious about earning your degree, don’t let time or age keep you from achieving your academic goals. Let Ashworth College help make it a little easier with a flexible, affordable education.
Let's talk about your educational goals. Call 1-800-957-5412
