Introduction
Higher education is the need of the hour. Younger generations are pursuing it for the results it produces in their careers. Adult learners chat about it to fulfil their career dreams. Retired learners are pursuing it for the benefits it offers even after retirement. If you are a senior professional who left college years ago, going back to college can be a daunting task for you. Surprisingly, you're not alone. Online learning is here to save the day for senior professionals. According to a survey, 68% of online learners are experienced professionals. Further, according to US News, the average age of the learners is 32 years. With that said, we will make it easier for you to go back to college with this checklist. Going back to college produces several positive results in your career and life, like better opportunities, higher pay range, added prestige, improved knowledge, etc.
Even with all these benefits, it is also a big investment in terms of time and money. Senior professionals who are juggling work and family life are at a loss for how to manage their time. Even in such cases, several online programs can help them achieve their dream Masters with minimal effort. SNATIKA is one such online Masters program provider with international prestige. All the major problems an adult learner faces in going back to college are addressed by SNATIKA. But first, we will look at the tips. Check out our programs or keep on reading.
Tips for going back to college
1. Understand why you're going back to college
As a human, everything we do needs a specific and stringent reason. Without a reason, the will and drive to complete a task does go out. Even before you start preparing for college, ask yourself the right questions. Start with why. Your "why" can greatly influence your journey throughout the course. The specific reason will keep you motivated and engaged in self-discipline like no other. Some of the specific reasons for going back to college are here.
Degrees offer a better pay scale.
They offer better postings.
They give more prestige.
They instil purpose.
They help even after retirement.
2. Recognise your advantages.
Going back to college after several years can feel like a monumental task. However, it shouldn't have to be. Apart from a few minor discomforts, adult learners are well equipped to tackle the academics of the course. As an adult learner, you are more well-equipped for the program than younger learners. Due to the vast experience and knowledge in both life and career, adult learners can understand the syllabus and comprehend the lectures well. Grasping the syllabus can be simpler and faster if you have been admitted to a program that closely relates to your career.
Moreover, adult learners are highly skilled at keeping up with tasks at scheduled times. Time management and prioritisation skills, which are important foundational academic skills, are mastered by adult learners due to keeping up with deadlines and multitasking in the workplace. Moreover, adult learners will have a sense of direction or purpose in learning that their younger peers often lack. This drive can get you ahead more than anything else. All these factors can work in your favour.
3. Choose your college carefully.
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Choosing the right college is the most important decision you can make in the process. If you have a partially completed program, you should consider continuing the course at the same college. If it is impossible for some reason, then you can consider credit transfer and choose another college that is less expensive and reduces your commuting time to and from the college. Alternatively, you can choose evening or part-time college to keep up with your other work.
In the case of international qualifications, check out the authenticity of the institute or college, the ranking, facilities, and staff, and read the reviews on online student forums. Check out their website and familiarise yourself with it even before you apply to college. If you had any disadvantages in your previous college, make certain that you will not face the same issues in your new college. For example, some colleges have substandard infrastructure that makes their learners uncomfortable. Choose your college wisely with the following checklist.
Check out the college's affiliation and authority.
Make sure the fee is affordable for you.
If applying to an international college, check out the visa requirements.
Make sure that you meet all the necessary legal aspects of studying in the country and stay independent.
Collect all admission materials.
Typically, colleges will have a detailed admission process listed on their notice boards, websites, etc. Check out their admission procedures and list all the required documents. Generally, colleges require your previous academic qualification details, mark sheets, photographs, and an application form. In more reputed institutions, you will be asked to write the purpose of your joining the program and bring one or two references. If you are applying for a program that has practical application, such as an MBA or management studies, you must also include your work experience.
Make sure you have collected all the necessary documents before the deadline. Mark the application submission dates on a calendar so that you will not miss them by chance. Invest in a high-quality resume that has a classy outlook and easy-to-read fonts. Write a cover letter that grabs the attention of the admissions committee members. Be precise and short in all your introductions, statements of purpose, cover letters, and other academic documents. Keep all your documents organised so that you won't have to search for anything in a hurry during your document submission or interview process.
4. Understand credits
Credits are a specified number of hours a learner has to spend in a program. While countries like the USA and the UK have long been using credits in their academic systems, many countries are slowly catching up on the concept of credits. In many countries, credit is non-existent as well. Make sure you understand your country's credit system so that you might be able to transfer your credits and win a few hours of your precious time and effort back (Wikipedia).
Your course catalogue will have all the necessary information regarding the credits and the number of hours needed to acquire credit. Reading the catalogue can help you better understand your institution and its credit system. In case you still do not understand the significance of credits, reach out to your admission office, teaching staff, or professors for further clarification. It always helps to double-check everything rather than ruin the admission process with ignorant decisions. If a personal visit is impractical in your situation, an email can do well. Online forums can also help you, as long as they are updated regularly. Besides the institution's student forum or website, online searching can also provide good information on the institution's credit transfer system.
5. Consider your funding options.
Funding is a major aspect of going back to college. After several years out of college, the personal financial situations of each learner will be different. Generally, if going back to college was planned over a long period, learners will also have thought of funding the education. However, those that need a quicker academic upgrade in light of new opportunities might be at a loss for funding their education. Indeed, college is a major investment in your life and career. As a result, the more prestigious, higher-quality program or institution you intend to join, the greater the investment required.
For long-term planners, self-funding can be through their savings accounts, retirement funds, or education loans. For others, corporate sponsorships, and education loans can help realise their academic dreams. Many institutions even offer instalment options to make the funding easier to bear. Further options include applying for scholarships, federal loans, personal loans, etc. Choosing one or more funding options according to your financial situation is key to continuing with the admission process.
6. Consider part-time or online degrees.
One thing professionals can barely afford is to wait for their jobs for a degree. For most professionals, losing their regular income is a surefire way to add stress, uncertainty, and financial trouble. It is exactly why most professionals do not make an effort to resume their education. However, part-time colleges like evening colleges or weekend colleges can solve this problem. The price you pay for attending part-time college is not necessarily in terms of money but in time. Often, these colleges take a longer time for the program to be completed, which makes it hard for those that want a quicker academic upgrade. This is where online education comes in.
One of the most important advantages of the technological revolution is the high connectivity and real-time coverage across the globe. Due to the popularity of the internet, everything has become dependent on the internet. From commerce and relationships to work and education, everything is available on the internet or through the internet. For those who are considering going back to college, the internet offers a better alternative than online education. After the lockdowns of the pandemic era, online degrees have gained immense popularity and recognition.
In America alone, over 6 million individuals are pursuing online education (Online Learning Consortium)! Just because it is online doesn't mean you can easily manage to get a degree. You will have to put as much, if not more effort into the programs to be successful. Moreover, according to Potomac, 97% of online institutions maintain a 25:1 ratio of students to professors which is big plus if you compare the ratio with other traditional institutions.
If you cannot afford to quit your job for a degree, then both part-time and online college best suit your situation. In case you have time on your side and want that campus experience, opt for an evening college or weekend college. If you are living away from big cities, which is the general geographic location in which part-time colleges are located, then online degrees are the option for you.
7. Stay organised and plan ahead.
Keep all your documents, emails, and calendars up-to-date and well organised. If you are moving to a different country for your degree, make sure you bring all the essentials, documents, and legal papers with you. You need to know about the steps you need to take beforehand so that you won't be caught in surprise situations and make panicked decisions. Know about the country's culture and native language beforehand. This can keep you from cultural shocks and unnecessary hurdles due to language barriers. Plan your entire program duration regarding where you will be accommodated, eat, etc.
If you are applying for a part-time or online degree, the same steps must be considered except for the travel and accommodation aspects. In the case of these programs, staying organised takes on a new level of importance. Here, you would be responsible for keeping up with the learning schedules throughout the program duration in addition to the admission process.
8. Consider the best alternative for adult learners - SNATIKA!
If you are an adult learner who has managerial experience, you might want to check out SNATIKA. We provide prestigious UK Masters Degree programs to senior professionals. Our programs are completely online, super flexible, and of high quality. The programs can be completed within 9-12 months, according to your own learning pace. At the end of the program, you will earn a prestigious Level 7 Diploma along with a UK Masters Degree. You will also earn SNATIKA's Masters Degree completion certificate.
Even if you are a non-graduate, you can apply for SNATIKA's Masters programs. However, you must have at least 5 years of managerial experience in your industry. Some additional benefits are ISO 9001:2015 certified Admission and Academic Delivery Processes, an immersive syllabus, PhD level Masters Guides, and a state-of-the-art LMS. Check out your eligibility and enrol in your dream qualification today.
Conclusion
Going back to college is one of the most beneficial decisions you can make in your life. It can give you access to better opportunities in your career, life, and earning potential. Always begin your academic journey with a personal reason. It can be anything from the motivation for your promotion to being a well-qualified professional. The reason serves as your cornerstone and keeps you motivated throughout your program. Know your strengths and weaknesses and choose the right format, institution, and degree.
Check your funding options well in advance. Plan and organise your entire program so that you leave little room for uncertainty. Meanwhile, check out SNATIKA which is exclusively dedicated to senior professionals looking for prestigious, flexible, and beneficial Masters Degree programs.