How To Go Back to College When the Kids Are Grown

The Advantage to Waiting

Many adults choose to wait until their children are out of the house before returning to pursue their college degrees. This choice can be both a positive and a negative for some.  On the plus side, you might be able to spend the time while your kids are growing up to think more clearly about how what you want to do in school, and what area you would like to major in.  Over the years, your interests can change, and what you wanted to do as a career when you were 20 is not always the same as what you want to do when you’re 40. Then, when you do get a chance to go to college you will be less likely to waste time or money on classes that you don't need.


The Drawbacks of Waiting

If you do wait until the kids are grown up to go to school, the obvious drawback is that you may find that you have missed out on years of being able to gain experience in a career that requires a degree, and have a better salary.

However, if you do decide to go back to college when the kids are grown up, there are some things that you can do to make ensure that a smooth transition for you, and that your college career goes well.

Finances

First of all, make sure that you have the finances necessary to pay for tuition, fees, books and other necessities of college. If you need to pinch pennies a little to make your dream of completing school a reality, consider attending a community college or junior college rather than a large university. Before you enroll, think about how you will pay for it. There are federal student loans, as well as other financial aid available for students who qualify, so if money is an issue, consider this avenue. Other options include a bank or institutional loan, or borrowing money from a friend or family member. While money for school can be difficult to obtain, don’t let it stand between you and your degree.

Choosing the Right Degree and School

Once you know how you are going to pay for school, it is time to figure out what you would like to major in, and what school you will be attending.  For many adults, the thought of attending school side-by-side with 20 year-olds can be intimidating.  So if this is a concern, consider enrolling in night classes, where you will find other working professionals, or on-line classes that let you plan your work schedule around your schooling.

It is crucial that you do your research and pick a school that not only fits your budget, but that also has the program that you want to go out in.  Take a trip to the campus, and schedule a meeting with the advisor over your prospective program.  If you have already completed some schooling (before your children came into the picture), it is advised that you get transcripts from your old schools, so that you can show the advisor exactly what classes you already have taken.  This will help to find out whether or not they will be able to transfer into your new program, and potentially save you time and money from repeating unnecessary programs.

Every school and department has different requirements, so it will save you a lot of time and hassle to understand beforehand what will be expected of you.

Other Tips

Returning to college after being on a child-rearing hiatus can be a little overwhelming at times, but knowing that there are many other adults who are going through the same thing can be comforting.  If you are able to take classes with these adults, try to get a study-group going.  Working in numbers and knowing that you are not alone will benefit you and your school work.