Health, Counseling and Prevention

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Living a Responsible Life

It's Never Too Late To Finish Your Education

IS AN INCOMPLETE EDUCATION HOLDING YOU BACK?

Most people begin their education with the intention of completing it, but life intervenes and for many, their plans are interrupted. For the approximately 25 percent of students who don’t finish high school and for those who start college but don’t finish, the opportunities for better jobs and promotions are limited.

Most people realize that an education is important. The average earnings of a person with a high school diploma are significantly higher than they are for a person without one. Having a college degree means an even greater income: the average earnings of a person with a bachelor’s degree are 50 percent higher than they are for a high school graduate. While an education is not a guarantee of happiness or success, it does increase a person’s chances of making more money and being qualified for a more interesting career.

Lots of adults return to school to learn more and increase their chances for success. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 90 million people engage in some type of adult education each year. Many schools and colleges are eager to serve this huge market and provide programs and services tailored specifically for working adults.

 

"While an education is not a guarantee of happiness or success, it does increase a person’s chances of making more money and being qualified for a more interesting career."

 

WHAT STEPS CAN YOU TAKE TO FINISH YOUR EDUCATION?

Since each person’s situation is unique, the steps you need to take to finish your education are determined by your specific goals and level of education completed. The following is a list of ideas to help you begin this process.

  • Think about why you stopped going to school. Identify the factors that caused you to put your education on hold. Be honest with yourself about these factors. Which of them are still present in your life? How will you lessen their impact? For example, if you quit school because you ran out of money, how will you pay for it today? If you left because you have a learning disability, what will you do to overcome it or minimize its effect?
  • If attention-deficit disorder or a learning disability kept you from learning, get a professional assessment. Ask your physician or school for a referral to an educational psychologist or other professional who specializes in working with people with learning disabilities or attention-deficit disorder.
  • Identify your educational goals. Talk to your supervisor or human resources manager or a career counselor to help you develop life goals that fit your background and interests.
  • List the benefits of completing your education. Going to school while you work is very challenging, and you can count on becoming discouraged. Having a list of benefits will come in handy later when you feel discouraged and wonder why you are doing this. You can take out your list of reasons to remind yourself of the reasons.
  • Get support from your family, friends, and employer. You should not expect to be able to accomplish your educational goals by yourself, especially if you have a job and a family to take care of. You will need their support during the times when you ask for special scheduling or when you work with your study group three nights in a row.

Do your homework. Here is a list of things you will need to do:

  • Be prepared. Designing a good action plan is the most important thing you can do to set yourself up to succeed. Take the time to carefully assess your situation and think about what you really want to accomplish.
  • Surf the web. The Internet is filled with information that will answer almost every question you have. If you don’t have a computer at home, go to the library or find out if you can use a computer at work.
  • Keep a notebook. Set up a separate section for each one of your goals. Keeping it all in one place makes it easier to manage.
  • Outline the preliminary steps and get started. Depending on your situation, here are some things you may need to do:
  • Take the GED. If you need to finish your high school education, find out about how to take the GED test. Most colleges accept a GED as the equivalent of a high school diploma. Your GED scores will provide registrars and admissions officers with a better idea of your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Build your study skills. If you have been out of school for a while, you may need to reacquaint yourself with the skills that enable the top students to succeed.
  • Ask your employer for assistance. Many companies encourage their employees to further their education and offer special work schedules and tuition reimbursement.
  • Fill in the gaps. If you need to develop your writing or math skills, take a class. Community colleges offer a variety of basic skills courses.
  • Visit the campus. If you are going to be taking classes at a community college, make an appointment with the admissions office and ask for a tour. Most schools have open houses during the year for adults who plan to return to school. Find out if there is a special office to assist adults returning to school.
  • Explore college credit for work experience. Many schools give credit for specific types of work experience.
  • Investigate distance learning and other alternatives. More and more schools now offer classes over the Internet and in satellite locations. These options may make it easier for you to meet your educational goals.
  • Map out the admissions process. Find out about the steps of the process, how much it costs, and how long it takes. Some schools have a special application process for adults returning to school. Arrange for testing, letters of recommendation, and transcripts, if required.
  • Find out about financial aid. Most schools offer financial aid in the form of loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Such assistance can make your educational goals easier to reach.
  • Manage the logistics. Going to school while you work and manage a family is a challenge, but many people learn to balance the demands of their lives. Before you start, figure out how you will manage child care and family obligations. Have a meeting with your family members and ask for their support in pursuing your goals.

 

"Take the time to carefully assess your situation and think about what you really want to accomplish. Your plan will materialize from there."

 

  • Reward yourself as you complete each goal on your list.
  • Make a special dinner for yourself and your family.
  • Buy yourself a bunch of flowers or something that will bring you pleasure.
  • Be sure to tell your friends and family what you have accomplished.
  • Acknowledge yourself each step of the way and enjoy the positive feedback.

 

WHERE CAN I GO FOR MORE INFORMATION?

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