5 reasons why now is the time for adult learners to go back to school

By peirceblog
October 30, 2014
1 Comment

It’s that time of year again! The end of summer has students preparing for classes, studying and tests. And if you’ve been out of school for a while, you might be thinking the time is right to go back and get your degree.

THE TIME IS NOW: 5 reasons why adult students should
earn their college degree

If it’s been months or years since you last attended school, going back might seem overwhelming. There’s a lot to consider and you’re probably asking yourself if an education is worth it.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Getting a college degree is a journey and it’s normal to be anxious before starting out. But don’t let anxiety overshadow your dreams! To help you in the decision-making process, we wanted to share some of the greatest benefits of a college degree.

A college degree can help you earn more income. Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree make 84 percent more over their lifetime than high school graduates, according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. And per the U.S. Census Bureau, workers 18 and older with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $51,206 per year, while those with a high school diploma earn $27,915. With more income earned over their lifetime, those who earn their college degree typically have higher savings rates and improved quality of life for themselves and their children.

A college degree can increase your employment marketability. Georgetown researchers estimate that 63 percent of American jobs will require some sort of post-secondary education or training by 2018. Having a degree can open up greater opportunities for a new job, promotions, or changing career paths. In addition, many new job opportunities will soon be closed to those who don’t have a degree. To ensure those opportunities stay open for you, earning a degree is critical.

A college degree can improve your self-worth. Many adult learners feel their time is spread thin across their job, family duties, and other responsibilities. You might be caring for your children or parents, working a full-time job, commuting hours to your job, volunteering in your community, and more. But earning your degree is an opportunity to challenge yourself in many ways. It proves your motivation, tests your time management skills, increases your knowledge, and shapes your skillset. You can also improve yourself by experiencing the camaraderie of peers who are all working toward a common mission: enriching yourself through education.

A college degree can let you learn inside and outside of the classroom. Some educational institutions offer personal and professional development programs to help you grow while earning your degree. There are more student associations now than ever before and many are often focused on specific majors or careers. You’ll be able to network with faculty, potential employers, and adult learners with similar interests. At Peirce, for instance, we have the Paralegal Student Association, where paralegal majors can network and meet professionals in their field. Our Student Leadership Development program also allows adult learners to network, go on leadership retreats, learn from our alumni, give back to the community, and participate in community service. Organizations like these help adult learners network and give back to the community while earning their degree.

A college degree can show others the importance of higher education. You can be a role model for others in your family and in your community. Many individuals still strive to be the first members of their family to earn their college degree. This was the case in my family. Until six years ago, I was the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree and I remain the only family member who holds a master’s and terminal degree. I continue to encourage the importance of a post-secondary degree to my family members. My twin sister, Renee Bailey, and my husband, Dave Roberts, earned their bachelor’s degree at Peirce in June 2012. They are now helping me encourage others. Earning your degree can inspire friends and family to do the same.

These are just a handful of the benefits you can realize by going back to school. Think about your life goals and how a college degree might be one of them, or a stepping stone to realizing higher dreams. Then decide if now is the right time to earn your college degree.

If you’re an adult learner, what benefits of a college degree would you add to this list?

1 thought on “5 reasons why now is the time for adult learners to go back to school”

Anonymous says:

September 17, 2012 at 2:49 pm

I was 52 yrs old when I got my degree. Although, because of personal circumstances, it turned out not to be of any use to me workwise, I still thoroughly enjoyed learning again. It's never too late…….live life

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