Working for years to perfect your career, raising a family, and taking care of yourself can seem like it’s taken you years to get here. Now, you’re suddenly tempted: you’re bored with your job, your kids are out with college friends, and you find yourself questioning whether going back to college is the right choice for you. However, there are many reasons why going back to college in your 30s can be good – and potentially even great – for you.
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You know what you want to achieve.
For the majority of us, our 20s and 30s are a time of disenchantment. After a decade or more of doing the same things, we hit the wall and emerge with a list of things we want to change, become, or do. At 18, your life is almost inextricable from your parents, who typically influence where you go to school and even what you study. But at 30, you’re on your own, and the decision to start or change a career can often be overwhelming. How do you know what you want?
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You can quickly finish your degree.
Many adults returning to school are from the millennial generation, which refers to those born between 1981 and 1996. The stereotypical millennial is a 24 to 35-year-old post-university working professional who aims to finish their education by 40. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. You’ve probably seen plenty of “you can be a doctor/lawyer/engineer/whatever” ads, but did you know you can also become a Doctor of Nursing? You don’t have to go back to school for a lengthy period of time, and you can even get your doctorate online. You can also opt for a career in practical nursing, for which you may not have to spend many years on education. For instance, you can look for online Practical Nursing Programs and get qualified to work as a nurse in the healthcare industry without having to take on hefty educational expenses.
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Managing time is easy for you.
Managing time can be tough. Our lives can get pretty hectic between work, family, friends, and other responsibilities. However, one easy way to keep everything organized and on track is to take the time to learn how to manage time. Time management is a must for adults who go back to school. You likely have more responsibilities and-gasp! -a schedule. The most difficult part of time management is making sure everything gets done. Being organized is key, whether it’s making time for school, work, friends, or family. Knowing your time availability, planning your schedule, and developing habits to manage your time better is a great ways to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
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You are mature enough.
When it comes to succeeding in an adult job, there are only a few things you can do to give yourself an edge:
- You need to develop the discipline necessary to get up early every day and get out of your apartment.
- You need to tap into your inner adult, know what you want or need out of your career, and then work towards achieving it.
- You need to invest in yourself: get training, read books, and learn new skills.
You didn’t hit a milestone in age; you did in maturity. A milestone is a landmark that you recognize. It marks progress and also shows where you want your life to be. You are more prepared for success in your work and your personal life. Getting a degree in your 30s can be beneficial in many ways. Let’s say that your family owns a retail store, and you get a degree in marketing. You could definitely help them run a smooth business because you would have learned about brand awareness/identity, different marketing strategies, and other similar topics.
Many of our friends have returned to school in their 30s, 40s, and 50s with no trouble at all. But going back to college in your 30s is not for everyone, and it may not even make sense for you financially to do it. If you’re 30 or older, going back to college can be difficult. You may wonder if you’re too old, too unmotivated, or that you’d just end up spending more money on tuition than you needed to. However, if there’s one thing that a college education will teach you, it’s that age is just a number-and a mindset.
