Should I Go Back to School to Earn a College Degree?
No one ever lightly decides to go back to college. Even if expense is not an issue, college is a massive time investment and no one will get through without putting in long hours studying, writing papers, taking tests, and attending classes. If you’re wondering if going back to college is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:
Do I Know Why College Didn’t Work Out the First Time?
If there was a first time, a lot of things can prevent someone from earning a college degree. Family issues, health problems, financial setbacks, loss of direction or interest, the list goes on. In order to go back to college, you need to know what stopped you finishing your degree the first time.
Sometimes the reason could be not being prepared for the difficult course work straight out of high school. Other times you can find yourself studying for a degree you don’t want and have no interest in continuing. Maybe you were just young and not ready to buckle down and study. Whatever the reason was, make sure things are different this time.
Am I Mentally Prepared for the Demands of Higher Education?
Simply put, colleges and universities have no interest in enrolling you if you don’t want to be there or aren’t prepared to do the work. Universities want students to graduate! It is the best way of demonstrating their value to prospective enrollments.
If you’re going back to college because you think you should or someone has told you that you need to, you aren’t going to college for the right reasons. If you’re not passionate about what you’re learning, interested in the subject matter, and ready to handle the stress and pressure you’ll be put under, you will have a very difficult time being successful.
Am I Financially Prepared for the Cost of College?
The cost of college is a real concern for a lot of university-bound students. But there are ways to afford the education you need to start your career path without breaking the bank. Consider signing up for scholarships, looking into grants, and finding out if you can get student loans or assistance. If you’re ready to shoulder the financial responsibilities that come with college, you might be ready to continue your education.
Do I Have a Plan For My Future and Steps to Get There?
Nothing is worse than putting in all of the hard work required to earn a degree and then, upon graduation, you have no idea what to do or where to go from there. Start with a job you want to have and then work backward from there.
For example, if you really want to be an executive chef at the nicest restaurant in town, then you should earn a culinary arts degree to kick start your career. If you want to be a mobile app designer, you’ll want to look into a software programming degree. Make sure your goals align with your degree before you get started.
Also keep in mind that your interests and focus can change during your college career. You might discover you walked in wanting to be a cloud computing expert, but what you really succeeded at were cybersecurity classes. Build your plan with enough wiggle room to accommodate your expanding mind.
Am I Ready for the Changes I Will Go Through in College?
No matter your age or experience level, a college education can expand your mind, change how you think, and expose you to new experiences. Are you prepared to become a better, wiser, more experienced version of yourself? Being open to change and learning as you go are very important before going back to college.
President Mark Dreyfus has called ECPI University the “college of second chances”. If you’re ready to take a second chance on higher education, consider ECPI University. With degree paths offered in multiple fields, including nursing, technology, and business, students can pursue a number of different interests, all at one university. If you’d like to see if going back for a college degree is right for you, contact an admissions representative today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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