Going Back to School? 3 Unexpected Considerations

Returning to school is an exciting prospect that many adults are considering as a way to earn a higher income or to start a whole new career path. As you prepare for the university time ahead, you’ll likely think about tuition fees and study time, but these three points in this article might be ones that don’t come to readily to mind. They are important ones, though, so don’t forget about them.

1. Figure Out Your Pace

Will you have a lot of other responsibilities while going back to school? If you have kids and work full time, these commitments can be challenging as a student.

While you’d ideally like to get through university as quickly as possible, that’s not always a realistic financial option. Instead, for example, you might scale back to part-time working, so that you can still provide income for the family while also pursuing your education. Continuing to work while going to school also provides other benefits, including strengthening your time management skills and utilizing employee benefits.

2. Consider GPA

One of the deciding factors in which school to attend is their GPA (grade point average) requirement. Universities and colleges use GPA as a predictor for who is a good candidate for their program, and some are more discerning than others.

For example, as shown on CampusReel, Syracuse GPA is selective and has risen over time; make sure you know their GPA and acceptance rate before you apply, in order to increase your chances of acceptance. Use these numbers to help identify how you will compare with others in the applicant pool.

3. Tech Obstacles

When it comes to using tech inside and outside of the classroom, adult learners don’t always have the up-to-date knowledge of younger students. What works for a millennial may not work for an older student.

To improve your understanding of tech, ask about on-campus counseling and peer support groups. Most educational institutions offer both types to help those who are struggling with academic issues or have career-related questions. Get extra tech assistance from these resources to help you to complete the assignments as quickly as your counterparts who are in their 20s.

Challenging a Common Assumption

Often, adult learners assume that they will breeze through classes and achieve a degree with greater ease than those who are coming directly from high school. The thought process here is that their combination of life experience and work history provides all the makings for an “A-grade” student.

Thanks to Ana