If you’re thinking of heading back to school, there are many factors to consider and it is not a decision to be taken lightly.

There certainly will be costs if you go back to school, but there potentially could be costs if you don’t. Depending on your age and the type and length of schooling you’re considering, there are many factors involved and each one deserves careful consideration.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you contemplate the decision as to whether or not you go back to school:

1. You are not alone. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012-2013, 40.5 percent of enrolled students were between 25 and 39 years old, and 12 percent were over 40.

I, myself, have decided to go back to school and am taking night school classes. Looking around the classroom, I can definitely see these statistics reflected. Many of my classmates are certainly no longer teenagers, and some of them are even senior citizens, so it truly is never too late to go back to school.

2. Are you better served by going back to school full-time or part-time? This will depend on the length of study that you’re considering and your financial situation. If you have the financial resources to hold you over while you go back to school full-time, that maybe your best option.

If you have to go heavily into student debt, you may have to consider the job prospects in your field and the wage increases you can expect to justify taking that amount of time off of work.

Part-time classes can be effective, but can take longer to achieve your goals. Personally, I am on year 7 of a 4-year degree because I am taking one or two classes at a time, which is stretching out my timeline quite a bit. However, I am not in a position where I could, or even want to, walk away from my job because it is something I enjoy very much.

When you are considering this question, you need to be aware that some courses and/or degrees are not offered part-time, and that may influence your decision. Also, know what that your school’s definition of part-time and full-time are, especially if you are seeking student loans.

These will all factor into making your decision as to whether or not to enroll in school full-time or part-time.

3. Would you be better off taking a certification course? Instead of going back to school, would it be better to take a special training or certification course?

Sometimes, a certification course will give you more bang for your buck than a degree will. Certainly in high tech fields or trades, getting your ticket or a red seal or a specialization can increase your wages, your probability of a promotion, and your job prospects without the time and financial commitment of going back to school full-time.

4. Do you have the skills to succeed in school? It may have been awhile since you were in school, so you may be wondering if you have it it takes to cut it in the fast-paced world of academia.

You really want to investigate the level of academic requirements for the programs that you were considering. The academic requirements, for instance, will vary dramatically from a skilled laborer to healthcare specialist, so be aware of what academic standards you will need to succeed.

Many colleges and universities offer a screening test for adult students to allow you to get an idea of how well you will do in their program. This is often an excellent tool to help you see if you currently have the skills to be successful going back to school.

If you’re concerned you don’t have the skills, or know you don’t have the skills, to be successful in school, consider targeting and developing the cognitive skills required for academic success. Breakthroughs in Careers works with many adult students to help them improve their short-term memory, listening comprehension, writing skills, and more. For more information on how this you can visit our sister site Breakthroughs in Learning.

5. What are you going to study? When thinking about what field you are going to study, it is important to identify the reasons you want to go back to school.

Are you looking for something different than what you are currently doing? Are you still hoping to work in your field, but at a more advanced level? These all factor into what will be a successful back-to-school decision.

If you know you want to go back to school, but you don’t know what you want to study, a career counselor can help you find a career that you will excel in and enjoy.

Going back to school is a significant life choice, and getting help from a career counselor can help you answer all of these questions, and make sure you’re on track to find the programs that best fit your skills, help to develop your skills, if needed, and help you find a career that is the perfect fit for you.

For more information on how Breakthroughs in Careers can help you get ready to go back to school or find the career of your dreams, schedule your free consultation today.

About the Author

From an early age Matthew loved to talk, and now he gets paid to do just that.

Having grown up with Learning Disabilities and overcome them, Breakthroughs is an opportunity for him to give back. Now Matthew is an Educational Therapist with over 20,000 hours of experience working with children and adults with learning challenges.

When not in the office Matthew can be found seeking adventure with his wife and children, preferably on a mountain or in a kayak.

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