Going back to school in your 30s should be exciting, but there’s a lot to consider, and it isn’t always an easy decision. How will you fit studying into your schedule? How will you afford tuition? Do you have a strong support system?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 44.3 percent of college students in 2023 were employed, roughly twice that of high school students.1 While it may not seem ideal to work a steady job while furthering your education, it’s the reality for many students. Below, we’ll explore some common challenges adult students face and the resources available to make them manageable.
Challenges of Working and Going to School Full Time
When looking into online higher education programs, you might realize how finite your resources are. Time, money, flexibility, support from friends and family—these things are all precious and must be weighed carefully. Most of us have fallen into set routines that allow for very little wiggle room, and to make such a massive life change can be scary. The good news is that it’s possible to manage these resources and go back to school in a way that’s comfortable and productive.
From financial aid to flexible online university programs, many of today’s higher education options exist to help students from all walks of life succeed.
How to Balance School and Work
You aren’t alone when it comes to some of the common challenges of going back to school as a working adult. By exploring your options and considering a few best practices, you can make the transition much smoother.
Time Management
Time management is an overwhelming challenge to consider when pursuing a higher education degree. Work, family and other responsibilities can all make school seem impossible. Luckily, many schools now offer 100 percent online, asynchronous programs that make studying on your schedule easy.
Online degree programs open your university options by allowing you to study from wherever you live. Programs conducted in an asynchronous format mean you can participate in online learning with resources available at any time instead of a rigid class schedule with live lectures. This can make all the difference for a working professional – especially someone with unusual hours or limited flexibility.
Mental Health Support
No matter how prepared you think you are to go back to school, having a solid support system for your mental health can drastically improve your productivity and quality of life. This can include support from friends and family, your employer and even your school. Some resources prospective adult learners may find helpful include:
- Mental health screening tools and support services through Mental Health America
- Webinars hosted by the American Public Health Association, National Health Council, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and National Institute of Mental Health
Some schools, like Campbellsville University, offer mental health services that are designed for affordability and accessibility. Campbellsville’s CU Well Counseling Center provides outpatient counseling services such as telehealth therapy to assist with issues like depression, anxiety, marital problems, addiction and more. Led by licensed marriage and family therapists, this center helps struggling students every day.
Keeping your mental health in check is just as important as exercising for your physical health. With these services, you can lower stress and anxiety related to going back to school.
Setting Boundaries
Online programs offer a lot of freedom and flexibility, but without setting clear boundaries, you might feel overwhelmed. Finding ways to separate your work, home and school responsibilities is vital. You may want to designate a specific area in your home for schoolwork and let your family know you need undisturbed time to study. Maintaining a consistent schedule for completing your schoolwork is also helpful. This isn’t always possible with unpredictable work responsibilities, but even setting aside 15 minutes in the morning or at night can help.
Taking these steps can improve your work-life balance and make the time you study feel distinct from the rest of your life.
Career Guidance
Accelerating your career or launching a new one is probably why you’ve decided to further your education, but knowing where to look for guidance is not always easy. Finding a school that offers robust career services can improve your chances of utilizing the degree you’ve worked hard to earn. A good school will help you succeed in classes and prepare you to use what you’ve learned in practical ways.
Campbellsville’s Office of Career Services provides support to students through:
- Career assessments and job outlook info
- Job and internship fairs
- Job postings, boards and resources
- Career readiness and job prep workshops (online and in-person)
- Interviewing tips and resources
- Employer/alumni networking
- Internship advising/resources
- Graduate student resources
With the right help, you’ll know how to apply your new skills and knowledge to find the career you’re striving for, and regardless of your area of study, a degree from Campbellsville can help you find fulfilling work.
Financial Assistance
Going back to school isn’t cheap, and with the expenses that come with life in your 30s, it might even seem impossible. That’s why it’s essential to explore all available financial aid opportunities. Campbellsville is committed to making your education as affordable as possible with:
- Federal Student Aid support: After applying for admission at Campbellsville, you can apply for your FSA ID and complete the online FAFSA form. A representative from the financial aid office can help you with any questions you have about this process. Review the general requirements on Campbellsville’s Financial Aid page.
- Transfer credits: Many of Campbellsville’s undergraduate and graduate programs offer generous transfer credit policies to help reduce the overall tuition cost and allow you to graduate faster.
- Payment plans: Campbellsville offers students semester payment plans to help make paying for classes more accessible. Depending on the signup date, this could be a five-month or six-month plan.
- Scholarships: In addition to other scholarship options available to college applicants, Campbellsville offers a Transfer Scholarship to students transferring their associate degree toward a bachelor’s degree.
The cost of school should be the least of your worries when deciding to continue your education, and using the resources available can help you focus on what matters: earning your degree and advancing your career.
How to Begin Going Back to School in Your 30s
Perhaps the biggest consideration when returning to school is figuring out your career goals. Do you want to advance at your current place of employment? Do you want to continue your current job and boost your earning potential? Or do you want to start a career in a field you’ve never worked in? It’s never too late to make the career change of your dreams, and with the right experience, you can.
Using the resources listed above for financial aid, you can make a budget and find a financial model that works for you. Once you have the financial aspect under control, you can start to plan a study schedule that fits into your work schedule. Then, the only thing left is to find the right program and begin the application process by:
- Choosing a program
- Speaking to an enrollment counselor
- Filling out the online application form
Begin Your Education Journey Today
While it may seem daunting to return to school in your 30s, there are many resources available to make it possible. With financial assistance, mental health support and a degree program that’s 100 percent online, you’ll be well on your way to a fulfilling new career.
By exploring the programs Campbellsville offers, you can find one that’s right for you and be one step closer to making your new career a reality. Get started today and finish strong with CU!
Source
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily. “Employment—population ratio 22.5 percent for high school students, 44.3 percent for college students.” Published August 19, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/employment-population-ratio-22-5-percent-for-high-school-students-44-3-percent-for-college-students.htm.