Tips for Going Back to School as an Adult Learner

Going back to school as an adult can seem daunting, but it’s a popular choice for working professionals with busy schedules and full lives. Adults over the age of 25 made up about 40% of U.S. higher education enrollments in 2021.¹ If you are considering going back to college, your age shouldn’t keep you from achieving your goals.

Is It Too Late to Go Back to School?

Whether you are ready to rejoin the workforce after time away, want to enhance your skill set to advance in your current career, or are looking to enter a new field with the right credentials, it’s never too late to go back to school. The benefits of education don’t stop after you reach a certain age – getting a degree at 40 or going back to school at 50 can open doors to lifelong professional success.

Learn More, Earn More

While there are many reasons to continue your education outside of financial benefits, increased earning potential motivates many adult learners. Recent national salary data² highlights the significant impact education level can have on wages. In 2022,

• Associate degree holders earned around 18% more than those with a high school diploma
• Bachelor’s degree holders earned about 42% more than those with an associate degree
• Master’s degree holders earned nearly 16% more than those with a bachelor’s degree

Data shows that unemployment also decreases as education levels increase. The 2022 unemployment rate was 4% for high school diploma holders and just 1.9% among those with master’s degrees.²

In terms of both financial growth and job security, advancing your education can have real benefits for you and your family. We’ve compiled some strategies that can help you continue your academic journey and earn your next degree.

Tips for Going Back to School

If you have been out of the classroom for a while, you might feel intimidated by the idea of starting a degree program, but there are many ways to make studying while balancing work and family achievable.

How you approach going back to college as an adult may vary depending on your stage in life. For example, a mom earning a bachelor’s degree at 30 may have different priorities and needs than someone going back to college at 40 for their master’s degree. Use the following tips to determine what works best for your lifestyle and learning goals.

1. Prioritize your workload.

Adult learners are often managing multiple commitments while completing their degree program. Avoiding overwhelm can help you stay on track with your studies.

Try to prioritize the most important items you need to complete each day or week by dividing your to-do list into buckets like home, work, and school. Work-life balance is essential when going back to college, and getting organized with categorized tasks can ensure that nothing falls through the cracks.

Time blocking can also be a helpful tool for time management. This method involves breaking up days into blocks of time, which allows you to consistently focus on specific groups of tasks.³ If you set aside specific hours for reading and other coursework, you won’t be preoccupied with school assignments while working and can be fully present during family time.

2. Set realistic goals.

When considering the next step in your education, it’s important to be realistic. Trying to do too much can lead to burnout and poor academic performance, so it’s better to keep your goals achievable. This might mean choosing a part-time degree program or opting for online courses to make your studies more accessible and convenient.

Setting manageable goals is also motivating because you can chart your progress. For example, if you are intimidated by the idea of completing your degree, break the process down into smaller steps, like doing well in the classes you’re currently enrolled in or excelling on a specific test or project.

3. Choose the right university.

Among the most important aspects to consider when returning to college is which program best fits your goals and lifestyle. Consider factors like affordability, career support services, and program format. Asynchronous online learning is ideal for adult learners because there is no commute to campus or required days or times for classes. It’s also a good idea to research offerings around transfer credit and other ways to make the most of your professional, academic, and personal experience.

Your Life Experience is an Asset at Bay Path University

The American Women’s College of Bay Path University (TAWC) recognizes the value that adult learners bring to the classroom. To help you earn college credit for the experience you already have, we offer a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) to all undergraduate adult students. Our course equivalency system helps you identify and assess your skills and then apply them to your degree program to help you finish faster.

TAWC also supports adult learners by offering personalized academic advising, courses led by experienced faculty, and career-focused programs designed to help students excel academically and professionally. We’re dedicated to delivering the resources, mentorship, and nurturing environment you need to thrive in the next phase of your academic journey.

Learn more about TAWC’s 100% online program options and student services today.

If you’re a mom considering going back to school, check out these tips for overcoming mom guilt.

Sources

1. EdSurge. It’s Time to Reboot Our Thinking About Adult Learners in a Digitally Transformed World. Retrieved from https://www.edsurge.com/news/2021-08-11-it-s-time-to-reboot-our-thinking-about-adult-learners-in-a-digitally-transformed-world.
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Career Outlook. Data On Display: Education Pays 2022. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2023/data-on-display/education-pays.htm.
3. Todoist. Productivity Methods: Time Blocking. Retrieved from https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/time-blocking.