I'm Baaaack!

by Aaron Jubar

Going back to school after a 2, 10, or even 20 year hiatus can be a truly rewarding experience for everyone. Even if you aren't actively pursuing a degree, the credits you earn and how well you do will become an integral part of your academic history. So, before you've advanced as far in your career as you can on your bachelor's or associate's degree, you may want to consider going...

Back to School

It had been nearly two years since I set foot inside a college classroom, and it was quite an interesting experience. Many things appeared exactly as I remembered them in college. The professor handed out the course syllabus and went through the "there's no such thing as a stupid question" diatribe.

There were a few things, though, thattooke me a while to get used to. As we went around the room and introduce ourselves, I realize that, other than the professor, I was the oldest person there. At the ripe old age of 24, I discovered that I had become the "old guy" in the class.

It was easy to notice how naïve all those undergraduate students were. For the most part, their preconceived ideas of the outside world come from MTV and Sportscenter. They knew very little about what life is really like following college.

Going Back To Further Your Education May Have You Asking A Number Of Questions

What course(s) should I take?

If you are seeking a Master's degree, or if you know what area you'll eventually enter, then the classes you should take will be outlined in the graduate program. If you don't plan on obtaining a Master's, or you're just taking a class to continue educating yourself, then you might want to consider courses with real life applications. Picking a course that can add to your knowledge of your current or future job is also good idea.

How will I pay for my class?

Paying for college courses can easily become a problem for post-undergraduate students. For many people, it's all they can do to just pay for rent, transportation, and food. That's not to mention all the money owed in college loans. With that in mind, check with your employer to see if they offer any financial support to employees who go back to school.

If assistance cannot be found through your workplace, check with the college itself. You may find that you qualify for financial assistance. It never hurts to try. Although uncommon, scholarships for post-grads can also be secured. The key to finding financial aid for college courses is to research all the possibilities.

How can I succeed at both work and school?

Time management skills can prove indispensable for the college graduate returning to school. By now, you've probably had to juggle a full-time job, finances, and in some cases, children. One way to balance all these things is through careful time management strategies. If you return to school, these time planning skills will help ease the stress of homework by allowing you more time to study. By setting up a time management routine, you'll be able to cut down on all that procrastinating you were so good at as an undergrad.

I haven't taken a class in a long time. Can I still do well?

There is no substitute for experience. Don't be afraid to draw upon experience from your years in the working world and apply it to classroom situations. Most college undergrads have an attention span of about 30 minutes; most lectures run around 90 minutes. Thus, a typical student is daydreaming (or asleep in many cases) for up to an hour of the lecture. You, on the other hand, have logged in numerous mind-numbing shifts behind a desk or in front of a computer. A 90-minute lecture should be a walk in the park.

Through the years, you may have also found it helpful to take extremely detailed notes. This could be the result of a boss with an attention to detail, or a spouse who is very particular about the groceries. Whatever the case, you'll be in better shape than the student who jots keywords and will "remember the rest".

What will I do with what I learn?

The key to maintaining knowledge is to use it often. Just like that death-trap you drove in high school, the knowledge you learn in class works much better when it is frequently used. The longer it sits, the less likely it is to start up. Sure, you may need some oil and grease from time to time to keep your brain working, but simply utilizing your knowledge on a regular basis will help you maintain it.

Study What You Like and You'll Like What You Study

For me, it felt good to be back in college taking classes. The best thing about the first course I took was that it was something I enjoyed, and I was eager to learn about the subject. Also, I'd had a few years in the real world to decide what career course I wanted to pursue.

Unlike many of the other students in the class, I was there because I wanted to be. I wasn't there because it was a degree requirement or because it was the only class I could schedule in that time slot. And my desire to be there gave me a competitive edge over those students who were just going through the motions.

Life Applications:

If you're not currently in college, do you plan on attending? If so, what are you going to study and why?
How do you feel about people going back to school after having spent several years in the workforce?
Are there other situations in your life were you could "go back" to learn more?

Copyright 2002-2007 by Aaron Jubar
All rights reserved.