After really thinking about my life, it occurred to me that I wasn't exactly where I wanted to be. I was still living in my parent's basement, and it seemed like I was never going to get to leave. One of the things that was holding me back was the type of job that I had, and so I started thinking about what to do to get out of that situation. I began working really hard to head back to college, and I found a place that was accepting new students. After enrolling, I felt like I was making progress. Read more about heading back to class as an adult.
Should you return to college after dropping out earlier in life? This is a deeply personal decision and no one can make it for you. But you may have several good reasons to pursue that higher education even if it didn't work out the first time. Here are five of the most important to consider.
1. Old Obstacles May Be Gone.
What caused you to have to leave college the first time? For young students, it could be anything from the inability to find the right studies to being unable to cope with stress or find financial assistance. But chances are that these obstacles are not the same for you years later. Assess your reasons for leaving and how they may or may not still affect you today.
2. New Financial Options Exist.
The cost of getting a college education thwarts many young people's efforts. But as a nontraditional student, you may have many new means to pay for classes. There are specific programs to encourage nontraditional students. You also may qualify for a much different financial aid package based on your own finances rather than your parents. And working adults may have more of their own financial resources at hand.
3. Online Choices Have Grown.
Is time your enemy? Do you dread the idea of returning to a campus full of people 10, 20, or more years younger than you? If so, learn about the growing amount of online options for classes and even online-only degree programs. You can do these classes on your own schedule and you may never need to attend in person.
4. You Set an Example for Kids.
Parents' examples are one of the most powerful motivators for children. If your inability to finish college after starting it continues to be something you regret, show your family the value of taking a second chance and completing what you began no matter what has happened in the intervening time.
5. It Can Revitalize Your Career.
Many adult workers reach a point in their career when they need a new direction. You may be missing out on opportunities or pay raises without a degree. Or you may just need something to rekindle your joy in what you do. A new degree can help get you out of the career doldrums and even provide a bigger boost than it would have at the beginning of your work life.
Where to Start
Any one of these points could be a great reason for you to pursue returning for a degree you never got. The best place to learn more about what's changed and what college can bring you as a working adult is to meet with a college advisor in your area today.