Whether you didn’t go to college in the first place or you’re looking to change career paths, going back to college is becoming an increasingly popular option for many adults. Unfortunately, too many would-be students fail to take that first step toward becoming students at places like Fleming College (which offer online learning opportunities that are perfect for mature, working students who need to work while they learn) because of fear. Fear that they won’t fit in, fear that they can’t handle the workload, or fear that their family responsibilities will be neglected. Does that sound like you? Let’s look at some of the primary concerns adult students have about going back to school, and how you can conquer those fears to open up new opportunities for yourself.
How will I afford it?
It’s true: College isn’t cheap. However, if you think about college as an investment in yourself, opening up new possibilities. There are several ways to ease the financial burden of college, such as:
Tuition assistance
Financial planning options – planning ahead for your education
Paying down debts to reduce the monthly outlay of cash, so college becomes less burdensome
When will I find the time?
For many of us, adulthood brings with it a full-time job, a spouse, kids, and other responsibilities. The thought of adding in another demand on our time can be almost unfathomable. Even with online learning options, there is still the coursework, study time, exams and other class obligations that will have to be fit into an already-tight schedule.
One of the best things you can do is to talk to your family and/or partner about what you are feeling. Discuss your concerns, and work together to come up with a plan for getting everything done while allowing you to focus on your education as much as possible. There’s probably no feasible way to eliminate all the guilt you may feel about having to shift your focus while you are in school, but at least you can devise a plan to ensure everything gets done and nothing falls through the cracks.
Will I Fit In?
This is a big one. Going back to school as an adult isn’t the same as going as a young person – it’s not. Your priorities are different, and you’ll almost certainly be in the minority. Here’s the great news: It’s very likely that you won’t be the only mature student in your class. More and more students are going back to school as mature learners, so you won’t feel as out of place as you may think. You may just have fun! But if you really aren’t keen on the in-class college environment, there are so many opportunities for online learning now that there’s a college model that is a perfect fit for you.
Whatever your fears about going back to school, there is a way around them. The most important thing is to take the leap, and to remember the famous words of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Take a chance. Go for it. The next part of your future awaits!
