Returning to College: Adult Education

Nelson Mandela once said that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. From working in education myself, I know this to be true. Over the years, I have seen education transform countless lives, especially for adult students who are returning to college. Going back to school can be daunting. If you are considering investing in yourself by diving back into education, this article is for you.

Determine Your Goal

First and foremost, you want to start thinking about what you are trying to get out of returning to college. Are you furthering your education by pursuing a graduate degree? Or, perhaps you are looking to add a certificate that could help you to make shifts in your career? You might be aiming to acquire new skills by taking some classes in a particular field. And, of course, you might have the time, resources, and ability to invest in that college degree that you were not able to earn straight out of high school. I know many people who started working right away or focused on raising a family first. Now, years later, they want to focus on their own education and personal and professional development.

Things to Consider

Once you have that end goal in mind, you want to consider the other differentials. Are you looking to participate in an online program? Do you need evening classes to accommodate a schedule of working full-time? Will you want to be able to physically go to a campus to access resources such as a library, mentors, and wellness facilities? You will want to consider the other various responsibilities that you have on your plate. If you are raising children at the same time, you might want to think about who can help you with these responsibilities. If you have a partner, it is a good idea to have discussions about how returning to college might affect your current routines.

Doing the Research

Now that you are clear on what you want from going back to school and the changes you will need to make in your life, it is time to identify the right program and school for you. Do you know what subject and degree you are working towards? Are you clear on what kind of program design you like? For example, some people like large lectures while others like small, intimate seminars. You will also want to consider private versus public institutions, where you can get the best financial deal, and how long the program is estimated to take. Finally, think about the types of courses and professors you want to engage with. You can look on the department’s web page to look at faculty publications, research projects, and areas of emphasis to see if they align with your passions and interests.

Selecting a School

Insuravita is a great help in this process. We help you to do the research so that you can select the school that matches your needs best. You want to make the choice that sets you up for long-term success. There are many things to consider and we help you to set up that cost-benefit analysis by connecting you with programs that match your search criteria. From there, you can perform comparisons and narrow down the selection to your top choices. Directly from our site, you will get the information you need to connect with experts at each school where you can get the further details you need to make a final decision. Let us help you reach your educational goals!