Returning to School as an Adult – It’s Never Too Late to Improve Your Life and Career

Adults returning to school to start or complete a college degree is no longer a rare occurrence. Millions of working adults decide each year to improve their lives and boost their careers by enrolling in college courses. The growth of online degree programs has accelerated this trend.

Adults concerned about feeling alone in a college class filled with younger students can set those worries aside. Students over the age of 25 enrolled in college number more than 6.6 million. Many are working adults in a degree completion program.

Touro University Worldwide provides online degree completion programs designed for working adults, allowing them to balance personal life, work, and school. TUW’s mission is to ensure that those who want to further their education have access to high-quality degree programs wherever they live and whatever their circumstance.

Reasons for Adults Going Back to School

Most “non-traditional” students return to school because due to a life change. They reach a point where learning new skills and continuing their education is necessary to take the next step in their lives and careers.

Every person has different goals and a unique situation. However, most adults typically return to school for one of the following reasons:

• Earn a degree to move into a better-paying job with more responsibilities.
• Gain skills in a specific area related to their current position.
• Learn skills and knowledge needed to transition into a new career.
• Take courses that were previously unavailable from a local college or university.
• Pursue a passion unrelated to their current career that makes them a more well-rounded person or allows them to pursue new interests.

Whatever the reason for returning to school, it’s essential to determine the “why” of pursuing a college degree. Keeping that end goal firmly in mind keeps students motivated and focused on doing the work required to finish their degrees.

How to Prepare for Returning to School

Once the “why” is identified, adults may experience some fear about returning to school for various reasons. These concerns may include their ability to fit in with younger students and the time commitment required for college. However, once enrolled, most find these fears unfounded. It just takes that first step.

Most adult students find people of a similar age in their classes. As for time, working adults benefit from the structure of online programs. Remote learning allows students to schedule when to watch lectures and study course materials, giving them the ability to work full-time work and enjoy their personal life. This learning flexibility is a significant advantage over the time commitment demanded by on-campus programs.

Tips for college preparation tips for adult students include:

• Realizing you are among millions of other adult students helps alleviate common fears of going back to college. There’s no need to worry about not fitting in.
• Prioritize time management. Schedule ample time for work, personal responsibilities, and school.
• Create a home space dedicated to school. Find a spot away from heavily trafficked areas of the house. Buy all the supplies needed before the class starts. Communicate to everyone in the house the need to have quiet, alone time to focus on school.
• Build a support network of family, friends, and fellow adult students on the same educational journey.

Touro University Adult Students

Touro University Worldwide is a pioneer in creating high-quality online degree programs for working adults. Their experience has informed its extensive student support services for students entering an online degree completion program.

Online students can access this support through its student success center. The center connects students to critical resources encompassing student orientation, disability services, career resources, and educational advisement.

Every online student at TUW is assigned an educational advisor who works collaboratively with each student from the moment they enroll until they graduate. Services include academic advising, reviewing transcripts and credit transfers, and working with students to create individualized degree plans. They also assist with registration and ensure students stay on track to earn their degrees.

TUW also offers a generous credit transfer policy for adults who have completed courses at accredited schools and non-traditional sources such as military training or credit by examination. Students can transfer up to 90 credits into a TUW online degree completion program.

TUW works collaboratively with every student to support them as they strive to accomplish academic and life goals–including working adults going back to school.