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Making the Decision to Return to College Recently, an adult student told me, "I didn't think twice about coming back to school. My boss would like to promote me, but he can't unless I have bachelor's degree. When he offered tuition reimbursement, I knew I had to do this." If only the decision to return to school could always be that easy! More often, the decision is complex and multi-phased. There is a primary motivation. This may be an idea that hovers at the edge of consciousness for some time until it becomes too insistent to ignore – or until an opportunity arises. Some of the motivations I've run across (and they may overlap!) are: a) Seeking a degree. A better job or a promotion may be more likely with a degree. There is evidence that college graduates earn more than non-graduates. b) Following the example of a friend or relative who returned to school. c) Setting an example for your kids – after all, what better way is there to stress the value of education? d) Bending to external pressure. You've probably heard comments like, "You have so much potential. When are you going to get serious?" e) Listening to internal pressure. Probably the second most prevalent reason for returning to school is to quiet our own nagging voice, "Time is running out." Internal pressure was my primary motivator. I was anxious to fulfill a promise made to myself when I opted for work instead of college after high school. This motivation was amplified by my optimistic belief that a degree could help my job prospects in uncertain times. But I made the actual decision when my local university opened a satellite campus near my home. As difficult as making the decision to return to school can be, acting on it requires leaping over more barriers. The chief obstacle is money. Because this is so easy for everyone to understand, it can become a convenient excuse to avoid dealing with more troublesome "hidden" concerns. These concerns show up in questions like: - How can I make time for study and work and family? A big part of the decision to return to school is accepting that this will be a priority for the next few years. It can't just be "worked into my schedule." One thing I hear frequently is the desire to "balance" study, work and life. It is possible to learn how to better manage time. But I believe balance, in the sense of equal time for all aspects of our lives, is a myth. You need to decide if study is, or can be, a priority for you right now. - Am I being selfish? This question arises most often among students with children. They feel guilt for spending their "free" time on study rather than in activities with their families. In my experience, there comes a point when you realize that this effort is for them and their future as much, if not more, than for yours. - Do I really need a degree? Even students who return for the "piece of paper" often harbor a suspicion that they may not really need a degree. Some students are frustrated by the unfairness of the requirement – "I've done this job for 10 years and know it backwards and forwards. Why should I need a degree now?" Others feel uncertain because they don't have a clear direction. Without direction what good will the degree be? It's important to keep in mind that the degree is a symbol. It is a symbol of your achievement. It communicates to others that you have reached a certain level of knowledge, and that you have put in considerable effort. The degree also communicates that you have persisted and reached at least one of your goals on your journey to higher education. 11/05 TOP |
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