A How-To Guide to Go Back to College 

Thinking about heading back to college a little later in life? You’re not alone. In fact, there are nearly 22 million American adults currently working to earn their college degree. Congrats on joining them! Students going back to school at a later point in their lives often work a full-time job, are raising a family, and have other responsibilities. But with determination, focus, and excellent time management skills, you can earn your degree and set your career on a new course. To help learners of all ages, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to help you balance your education with a busy life.  

Make a Schedule: Time management is crucial to earning your degree. It helps to not only have your days and weeks organized but your semesters and years as well. Remember, university is a marathon, not a sprint. To keep your family in the loop, post your schedule on your fridge so everyone can see it. If you’re more tech-savvy, create a Google calendar and share it with your entire family. Whatever calendar system you use, it should let your family know when you’ll be off-limits for studying or test taking.  

If you’re a parent, use the calendar to schedule study sessions for the whole family to study or work together on individual school assignments. 

Keep Your Support Systems Strong

While caught up in the stress of school, you may find yourself spending far less time with your family and close friends than you expected. They’ll definitely notice too. These are your strongest support systems, so it’s vital to stay connected and keep those relationships strong. Make an effort to set aside time for just your inner circle, whether it’s a weekly dinner or a hobby you all love. It’s worth the investment. You’ll go further in your studies with your support system by your side.  

Keep it simple

Choosing to earn a college degree as a busy adult/working professional requires a huge commitment of both time and energy. To avoid burnout, simplify your life wherever possible. For instance, you may love elaborate meals, but between work and studying for upcoming tests, you probably won’t have time and energy to invest in all that cooking and the inevitable kitchen clean-up. Instead, opt for simpler recipes that come together quickly and with minimal cleanup so you can get back to your studies after dinner. Review the other aspects of your life and see where they can be simplified in a similar way.  

Set Aside ‘Me’ Time

Burnout will derail even the most committed college student, so you need to know how to fight it. Recharge your batteries on a regular basis by fitting alone time into your schedule—even if it’s just a few minutes every day. Whether it’s a half-hour bubble bath or thirty minutes at the driving range, take time out for things you truly enjoy without having to take care of, or even talk to anyone else. When you return to your studies, you’ll find your energy levels renewed and ready for the next challenge.   

Learn to Say ‘No’

We all like to think we are superhuman, but we cannot be everything to everyone. Going back to school means that a significant portion of your time will be dedicated to your studies. This may sometimes mean buying cupcakes for your son’s school birthday party instead of baking them or saying no to additional projects at work. You don’t get to add more to your plate whenever you like. Earning your degree as an adult with a ton of other responsibilities requires judicious prioritizing and decision-making P. You may initially struggle to say no to things you want to do, but soon it will be a part of your strategy and you will reap the benefits of this new approach.     

Ask for Help

Just like saying no, asking for assistance is a skill. You will need to learn it to manage the multiple responsibilities you have on your shoulders. Reach out to a co-worker for help finishing a project or ask a family member to babysit while you finish an important assignment. By leaning on your support system, you’ll find yourself with more time to devote to passing your courses and earning your degree. 

Study Online

Many of the challenges adults face when returning to higher education can be avoided by choosing an online program. They require less travel, can be completed in less time, and are often far less expensive than traditional universities. Check out University of the People for your back-to-school journey! It’s a fully online, tuition-free American school providing learners from over 200 countries access to higher education. Our degrees are nationally accredited, and our asynchronous learning model means busy students can complete their assignments and even take exams on their own time.  

UoPeople offers degree and certificate programs in a wide range of disciplines and our alumni work at some of the most prestigious organizations in the world. You’ll have the chance to learn from instructors and advisory board members from some of the top universities. Apply today!