Going Back to School? Here are Some Tips for You!

You’ve heard it before: “Better late than never.” Going back to college can come along with its fair share of concerns. For many students, college is an experience that often takes place right after high school. However, it’s totally normal for adults returning to college to do so later in life. Whether you were gaining experience in the field, discovering what you’re passionate about after taking a gap year, or taking care of other responsibilities, you are on your own timeline.

So, if you’re wondering how to go back to college, we’ve put together a list of recommendations to help you along your academic journey.

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Tips for Adults Returning to College

Before you read the following tips, pat yourself on the back because taking the initiative to invest in yourself and your future (at any age) is a commendable feat!

Now, let’s get to it:

1. Know why you want to get a degree

The decision to go back to college likely wasn’t an easy one. As you begin your studies and continue to take care of whatever other responsibilities (such as a job or a family), you may feel overwhelmed. That’s why this recommendation is so advisable. It seems small, but truly knowing, and even writing down, why you want to get a degree can make a big difference, especially when the going gets tough. When stress levels increase, remind yourself of why you are getting your degree because holding strongly to a goal is the best way to accomplish it.

2. Pick a fitting program

Pick a program that is going to work with your schedule and needs. For example, if you are working full-time, then you will need extra flexibility in your academic schedule. One of the best ways to ensure you have this is to attend an online university, like the University of the People. Online colleges provide you with the opportunity to learn, while also getting the freedom to choose your schedule. Another example of picking the right schedule is choosing whether or not you will enroll as a part-time or full-time student. This will determine how many credit units that you take per semester or quarter. Of course, if you enroll part-time, then you will spend a longer amount of time in school to fulfill the required units, but you will also spend less time in school on a daily/weekly basis, which can free up time for other endeavors.

3. Review application requirements

Once you have your chosen program and institution, be sure to research what is required to apply. Some colleges are more stringent than others when it comes to application. For example, schools could require standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, a minimum GPA, and work experience (depending on the degree level), to name a few. If you are looking for colleges that don’t require an SAT or ACT score to apply, here’s a list for you. 

As an adult going back to college, you may have already once started your college experience. This means that you have college credits that, in theory, shouldn’t go to waste. Depending on the school of your choice, you may be eligible to transfer those credit units over and apply them towards the degree you are now completing. For any student looking to enroll at the University of the People, here’s more on how you can transfer your existing college credits.

4. Prepare your transcript

You’ll be hard-pressed to find an academic institution that doesn’t require your high school transcripts to enroll. These are formal records of your academic history that are to be sent to the college you are going to be attending. In order to be acceptable, transcripts must be sealed and unaltered.

5. Set your schedule

After you’ve covered all the logistics of enrolling in college, it’s time to set up your schedule. This is a crucial step because it will help to support the successful completion of your degree. However, depending on the type of institution you attend, you may have more or less freedom to design your schedule how you see fit. Say you attend a traditional on-campus college, then you don’t really get to choose when or where you learn because the schedule is already set. That being said, a key aspect of time management is designing your schedule overall. Keep in mind that you’ll want to make time for school, a social life, family, potentially work, and also some alone time.

6. Figure out your finances

A report from the Education Data Initiative found that 38% of students who dropped out of college did so because of financial pressure. Whether you fall into this category or not, you are probably aware that the cost of education can be incredibly high. That’s why it’s so pivotal to figure out finances before going back to college as an adult. This is especially true because as an adult, you likely have more financial responsibilities than you did as a teenager. But, you also have options! Check out these tips to avoid college student debt. And, if you really want to save big on your college education, consider attending a tuition-free university like the University of the People.

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7. Have a positive attitude

Despite the regular considerations like your schedule and finances, you may worry that going back to college as an adult will make you feel like an outsider when you are learning with a younger student body. The most important tip is to have a positive attitude! With more life experience, you may actually be at an advantage compared to your peers so don’t allow feelings of doubt or fear to take over. Instead, remain focused on your goal and approach each day of learning with an open mind.

Education Has No Age Limit!

The love and desire to learn and improve oneself has no expiration date. When going back to college, prepare yourself and take pride in your educational adventure. Once you graduate with a degree, you will have more job opportunities, increased job security, and a higher earning potential, so it will all have been worth it!