Continuing your education – sounds simple doesn’t it? Well, I’m here to say that while it may be harder than it looks, but it’s more worthwhile than you might think. That’s why I liked Chapter 24 of the YOU CAN DO IT book which talks about going back to school. E. Faith Ivery, author of How to Earn a College Degree: When You Think You Are Too Old, Too Busy, Too Broke, Too Scared is the expert in this chapter. She said, “Half of all the people enrolled in colleges are adult learners. Adults need to know that they aren’t alone on campus; they are increasingly the norm.”
How true this is! My husband and I were both in school as of this past year. (He is currently in school finishing a second master’s.) I’m the first to tell you that it’s not an easy decision to go back to school, especially as an adult. Most of us have a lot going on between dating/married life, children, full-time jobs, you name it and it’s a good excuse. I was no different. I had finished my undergraduate degree while working full-time and supporting myself, so the last thing I wanted to do was go back to school, even if it was just for a few classes here and there.
When I moved to the DC area, I quickly realized, however, that in order to get ahead, it is almost a necessity. Not all job markets are like that of course, but the industry where I work is getting more competitive, plus I was making a career change and figured that a degree in that speciality would help. So I did what the book suggested:
1) Pick your area of interest. Faith says to picture what you want to be “when you grow up.” She also said it needs to be something that you’re passionate about. For me, I pictured my new career and I visualized what it would be like to start over. (I chose to study Organizational Sciences, in case you’re wondering.)
2) Find your learning style and choose a study setting. I think this part is important in today’s world of online options, large college campuses and small class settings. I knew that I wanted a school setting that was not too large and not too small so that I could get the most out of the experience.
3) Finance Your Education. Ahhh… money. The one thing that prevents a lot of people from going to school. And with good reason as it’s an expensive proposition. The school I was looking at would cost me $1700 a class, and that was off-campus rates (on-campus costs $2700). My husband’s school costs him $3500 a class. It is definitely not something to enter into lightly. That being said, it is doable for most people. With many financing options available these days and with the likely return on investment that a degree affords you, it doesn’t make sense to let finances stay in the way of an education. Especially if that education can propel you farther than you could go without it.
4) Pick your perfect school. Look at all your local options or out-of-state options if they’re available. You might be surprised at what schools and classes are offered in your area. Living in DC, I was able to choose from several very good schools and programs. I chose George Washington University based on its reputation and its Org Sci program. (It didn’t hurt that the campus was pretty close by and Metro-accessible either.)
5) Apply to school. Again, another tough step in the process. It can take several hours to get together the appropriate paperwork, contact your references and write your application letter. But let me tell you that there is nothing like the feeling of opening up your acceptance letter and seeing the words, “Congratulations, you have been accepted into the program.”
6) Go to school. Now comes the fun part – actually attending school. There are many ways to keep you young and in touch with the world around you and going to school is one of them. My classes had students of various ages and from all walks a life – a surgeon, a teacher, lots of professionals and managers, you name it, and we had it. Most of the students there just wanted to better themselves and getting an education is one of the things in life that stays with you no matter where you go.
7) Graduate/Finish. And then, after all the hard work and sweat and tears (not to mention the all-nighters and last minute papers) it finally pays off: you have your moment of glory as you walk across the stage and receive that one slip of paper. That piece of paper that shows the world, and yourself, that you did it, that you didn’t let anything stand in your way and that you achieved your goal. Or, if you’ve completed individual classes, you have the satisfacation of completing a class and learning more than you knew before.
And the great thing about it? it doesn’t have to end there. After graduating last year, I’ve been enjoying having my evenings free. But now I am going back again. This time I’m taking miscellaneous classes instead of pursuing a degree and I will be studying photography instead of organizations. It doesn’t have to be a formal program or degree, but just something is interesting to you. When I’m done with my photography classes, I want to take some of the available art and drawing classes too, just to challenge myself.
So if you’re thinking about going back to school or if there is something you’ve always wanted to learn — whether it’s another language or how to throw pottery — it’s never too late to get started. Just remember: YOU CAN DO IT!
What about you, any desire to go back to school and if so, what would you study?
RELATED POSTS:
YOU CAN DO IT: Getting Organized
YOU CAN DO IT: Building a Website
YOU CAN DO IT: Championing A Cause
YOU CAN DO IT: The Merit Badge Handbook
Related Posts:
So, good for you for keeping at it and finishing what you started!! 
I’m still aching to start my masters, Trinity Online has a program in Women’s Studies and it makes me drool. 
39 comments