For many people, the idea of finally getting that degree, whether high school GED, college diploma, or graduate-level advanced degree, is a dream. Entering the second half of life, it’s too easy to think that the possibility of continuing your education has passed you by. But it’s never too late to go back to school. With education encouraged now more than ever and the advancements in availability that the internet makes possible, finishing your education doesn’t have to be a dream.
Scholarships abound.
Whether it’s government grants and loans or scholarships focused on the study of a specific subject matter, granted to people of different age, race, socioeconomic brackets, or years in school, such as college sophomore scholarships found on Appily, or prizes won in competition, there are literally thousands of scholarship opportunities every year.
Do a bit of research and come up with a list of scholarships you could possibly apply for. Note the application dates on a master calendar, and spread the work out over a year. You may have to set a school start date a bit out into the future, but doing something on a daily basis that will get you closer to being able to afford to continue your education will be what gets you there in the end.
Scheduling work and school.
Has the main roadblock to continuing your education been the fear of trying to juggle a full schedule of work and classes? Are you not in a position to take time away from work and lose the income in order to go back to school? Then explore other avenues. Many colleges offer a continuing education curriculum that runs on a weekend or nighttime schedule, to accommodate parents or working students. And if the commute to school or the extra costs is unworkable, then look online. There are more than a few reputable online degree programs. You can complete the work on your schedule, fit it in as possible, and still make daily steps towards that degree you’ve always wanted.
Don’t worry about high school.
Many people think about their previous experience at school and let their concerns dictate their actions. Perhaps high school was a real challenge for you, one you don’t look back on fondly, and you’re worried that the same difficulties you had with your previous education experience would come into play this time around. Well, that may not be the case. According to studies by the Labor Department, many more adults returning to school graduate than the amount who went directly from high school on to college. You’ve learned a lot outside the classroom in your lifetime, and it has you better prepared for school this time around, without question. You also know what skills are necessary for the work that you want to do, now that you’ve been in the workplace for a while. So your education can be much more narrowly targeted, allowing you to spend the maximum amount of time mastering a specific subject, rather than approaching each one with the same perspective.
Summary
In the end, nothing is stopping you from going back to school. Options abound, whether it’s finally getting that MSW online, or taking the time to get the GED you’ve been talking about. You’ll see all the reasons why in your paycheck afterward and probably will wonder why you waited so long.