On This Page:
The decision to return to school is a daunting one. If substance abuse or other health issues have interrupted your education, you’ll often face unique barriers to going back to school.
You may be thinking, “How can I possibly get a degree while raising a family, working full-time and continuing my recovery? And how can I afford college when I’m living paycheck to paycheck?” You’re not the first person to ask these questions.
Common challenges for adult students include:
- Educational expenses
- Making time in an already busy schedule
- Fear of being too old
- Fear that a degree won’t actually help their career
These fears are not unusual for adults returning to school. But the good news is these barriers are surmountable.
1. Get Smart About Money.
Adult students are likely to have high living expenses like housing, bills and healthcare. They are also more likely to support dependents and have debt. These factors make it difficult to fork over thousands of dollars for an education. However, there are ways to make it work.
- Know what you can and can’t afford. Compare the tuition and enrollment fees of different schools and degrees. Don’t forget to factor in miscellaneous expenses like textbooks and transportation. Take stock of your current spending and see whether there are any expenses you could reallocate toward school. If you need to take out a loan, do your research so you know how long you have to pay it back and how much interest you’ll owe.
- Consider the type of school and degree. While it’s tempting to think that a bigger price tag means a better education, this is not necessarily true. There are many high-quality community colleges and online universities that are relatively inexpensive to attend. Also consider that not all degrees have the same return on investment, as some skills are more professionally desirable than others.
- Apply for a lot of scholarships. It’s more difficult to obtain financial aid as an adult student than as a recent high school graduate. You’ll want to search for specialized scholarships that target adult students. For example, the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards help women finish school after they’ve overcome obstacles like poverty, domestic violence and/or drug and alcohol abuse. To maximize the financial aid you receive, apply to as many scholarships as you’re eligible for. Be sure to reach out to your school’s financial aid office, and don’t forget about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- See if you’re eligible for employer tuition assistance. Some employers opt to help pay for employees’ tuition, usually when an employee seeks training that would directly benefit their job. You can receive up to $5,250 in tax-free benefits for graduate or undergraduate courses. Ask your human resources department if this is an option for you.
- Look at college as an investment. If there’s anything worth going into debt for, it’s an investment in your future success. A better education improves your salary prospects and will help you achieve your professional goals. It’s a strong step in the direction of recovery and a healthy, meaningful life.
2. To Make Time, You Have to Take Time
Adult students are more likely to have work, family and household obligations. For adults who are also in recovery, making time for your 12-Step meetings adds another ball to juggle. You may be concerned that you’ll have less time and energy to devote to your other responsibilities if you return to school.
- Consider night school or online degrees. If you work full-time, the flexibility of an online degree or night school may be ideal for you. Online degree programs often let you complete projects and exams on your own deadline.
- You’ll likely need to let go of certain leisure activities. No more Netflix bingeing on the couch every weeknight! Of course, you’ll want to maintain a self-care routine, especially anything related to your recovery. These are vital to sustaining you over the long haul.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. A support network includes your partner, friends, parents, coworkers and fellow students. When you need someone to babysit the kids, cover your shift or help with studying, they’re who you call. For those undergoing treatment as well, it’s beneficial to have a buddy who can help you reflect on the unique challenges of keeping up your recovery.
- Keep your goal in mind. If you’re not excited about your goal, it’s hard to motivate yourself to reach it. When the going gets tough, take time to visualize yourself on graduation day or five years down the line at your dream job.
3. You’re Never Too Old to Go Back to College
Adult students are often anxious about re-entering the classroom when they may be the only mid-life person in a room of “kids.” They may also lack the confidence to succeed in school because it’s been awhile since they cracked open a textbook.
- Adult students are more common than you think. About 40 percent of college students in 2015 were over the age of 25.1 In some colleges, adults over 25 actually make up the majority of enrolled students.2
- Being with younger students isn’t so bad. There are benefits to sharing the classroom, such as diversity of perspectives. Some adults enjoy learning alongside younger, more enthusiastic students.
- There are always online degrees. You can opt for the virtual classroom instead. This removes the pressure of fitting in and lets you focus on your studies without distraction.
- You’re not too old. It’s true that some older students may have a harder time retaining new material, but that is balanced by other advantages of aging. You have the maturity to take school seriously and get the most out of each class.
4. There Are Many Benefits to a Degree
Adult students may wonder whether employers really care about degrees. They may also doubt whether they’ll gain any useful skills. But in fact, college degrees offer many benefits.
- Learn new skills. Particularly if the degree you pursue is in the same field as your career, you will pick up new skills at school that can be applied at work. College also teaches you valuable skills that are applicable in any setting, like writing, speaking, teamwork, research and time management.
- More job opportunities. By 2022, it’s estimated that 65 percent of new job openings will require some post-secondary education.3 A degree positions you for greater access to job opportunities and greater odds of being hired.
- Better pay. In their lifetime, college graduates earn about $1 million more than high school graduates.4 The average weekly earnings for college graduates are 80 percent higher than that of high school graduates.5 Employees with post-secondary education or training are more likely to obtain higher paying jobs and to be promoted.
- Lower risk of unemployment. Having a post-secondary degree lessens your odds of being unemployed. The unemployment rate for high school graduates is 5.6 percent, versus 2.5 percent for college graduates.5
- It makes you stronger. The self-confidence that comes from pursuing a goal like higher education can help you on the path to recovery. It helps you build determination, exercise resilience and make healthy, proactive choices.
The decision to return to school as an adult is one that only you can make. There are risks and sacrifices involved, but there are great rewards if you succeed. Not only will it improve your standard of living, but also it can enrich your life with new knowledge, a new experience and a new life milestone!
LiveYourDream.org is a movement fiercely dedicated to ensuring every woman and girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential, live free from violence and, of course, live her dreams. Our online community of nearly 100,000 volunteers and activists participates in actions to address some of the most serious challenges women and girls face today, such as lack of access to quality education and gender-based violence. This action network is powered by Soroptimist, a global nonprofit committed to economically improving the lives of disadvantaged women and girls.
Join Our Community • Take Action • Empower Women & Girls
https://www.facebook.com/LiveYourDream.Org
Sources:
1. Fast Facts: Back to School Statistics. National Center for Education Statistics, Accessed August 30, 2017.
2. Most Students Over Age 25. US News & World Report, Accessed August 30, 2017.
3. Carnevale, Anthony, Nicole Smith and Jeff Strohl. “Too many college grads? Or too few?” PBS Newshour, February 21, 2014.
4. Carnevale, Anthony P., Ban Cheah and Andrew R. Hanson. “The Economic Value of College Majors: 2015 Executive Summary.” Georgetown University, Accessed August 30, 2017.
5. Luhby, Tami, Tal Yellin and Caroline Matthews. “Just how much better off are college grads anyway?” CNN, April 5, 2016.