Go back to school at 40? This is how to succeed | point outside the curve (2023)

In this article

1. Going back to school at 40: where to start?

2. Benefits of Returning to School

3. Frequently asked questions about returning to studies

4. 3 benefits of going back to school at any age

5. 7 tips for going back to college at 40

6. 3 of the Best Career Fields to Choose to Go Back to College at Age 40

Going back to school at 40 can be exciting and life changing. While there are challenges, there are also some challenges that 20-year-olds have that you probably don't. So instead of feeling too far behind, let's look ahead:

• how to go back to school

• Why should you go back to school?

• What are some tips to make things easier?

Going back to school at 40: where to start?

Peoplego back to school at 30or 40 for various reasons. You should start by asking yourself:

Why do you want to go back to school?

When it comes to earning their bachelor's degree for the first time, people with college degrees have moregaining potentialthan those with high school diplomas and are better able to weather a recession.

If you earn a master's degree or higher, these benefits increase even more. Data ofDepartment of Labor StatisticsIt shows that the more you learn, the more you earn. Do you need professional development? Think about these things when you return to college as an adult student.

How much college do you need?

Are you trying to complete just a few courses to finish your bachelor's degree? Do you need a certificate to learn new skills? Or are you starting over on a new course of study? With all these courses, consider taking some courses at Outlier where you can take onecertificatecompletely online or take online courses that are transferring to many schools.

Should you attend online or in person?

you will beWorking full time and going to school at the same time.? Do you have family commitments to juggle that require a more flexible schedule? Do your transportation needs or geographic location make it difficult to visit a physical campus?

Online learning is a great way to customize your course to fit the needs of your life. So a physical campus is a great option if you have a more flexible schedule and live near a campus. Not sure if the school near you is right for you? Visit the National Center for Education Statistics for more information on select schools.

Benefits of Returning to School

Going back to school as an older student is easier than you think. There are some real benefits to having more practical experience than some of your peers.

do you know why you are here

This may seem unimportant, but it is not. There will be times when going back to school will be difficult, and having a well thought out goal can make it easier to move forward.

Are you ready to take things seriously?

You have taken serious steps to invest in your path. That means you don't want to waste a minute of your time and are willing to put in whatever time it takes to perform well in your courses.

You already have work and life experience that you can draw on

Often the best way to succeed in the classroom is to be able to apply what you learn to real-world situations, making concepts easier to understand and remember.

Going back to school as an older student is easier than you think. There are some real benefits to having more practical experience than some of your peers.

Frequently asked questions about returning to studies

Is it hard to go back to school at 40?

It's not harder, but the challenges are different than 20-year-old college students. You may have to work harder to make connections with your classmates when you are in person. But you have a built-in study group by bringing together the family members next to you. It may be more difficult to earn less if you work less, but also research your earning potential. You know that continuing your education is worth the sacrifice in the short term.

Is it worth going back to school at 40?

The answer to that is a big yes, as long as you get your bearings and know what you want to do with your education. Going back to college will give you a competitive edge since you only36% of people in the United States have a college degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximatelyHalf of jobs in the US require a college degree. So when you go back to school, you may have a lot more options.

Is it too expensive to go to school?

Earning a college degree is expensive, but there are many things you can do to reduce that expense. requestsubsidies(many!) and allfinancial helpyou are suitable if you have to takestudent loans, delete as little as possible.Make a budgetand fulfill it. Consult a financial adviser if you have access to one. Finally, choose an inexpensive program that makes traveling easy. Find ways to meet your general education needs through affordable options like Outlier.

3 benefits of going back to school at any age

Do you know your field of study?

While there's nothing wrong with being an indecisive adult learner, you'll likely come back to learn certain concepts and skills. It means that you have a purpose and a desired outcome. If you focus on exactly what you want, you can achieve your goals in less time. If you're not sure what to learn, give it a tryCareer Prospects HandbookExplore career paths for various degrees.

Learning slows down the aging process

Whether you are between the ages of 30 and 50, learning new things can be helpful.slow down the aging process.

A title can open paths you never imagined

When you go back to school at age 40, you may learn about new career opportunities or careers you didn't even know existed.

7 tips for going back to college at 40

1. Manage your time.

That shouldn't come as a surprise, but find all those little blocks of time to study. If you go to class on campus, use those time slots between classes to study.

2. Take all-inclusive courses.

Instead of paying extra course fees for items like textbooks and extra materials, look for all-inclusive courses. Not just because they are cheaper, but because you know the cost up front and can budget accordingly. Breakout prices are a good example

3. Form a study group.

Find a group for each of your courses that you can contact for questions, quizzes, and concept discussions.

4. Teaching to learn.

To help learn new concepts, become a tutor or try teaching them to friends and family. When you try to teach others a concept, you often learn better.

5. Make time for family study.

If you have school-age children or other family members, make time each day for family study. This can be made even more enjoyable by making inexpensive snacks like popcorn to enjoy while you study.

6. Plan your meals in advance.

Spend as little time as possible in the kitchen. Plan simple meals ahead of time, cook what you can once a week, and ask family members to help you simplify meals a bit.

7. Let go of perfection.

Prioritize what needs to be done right. Dusting probably isn't one of them. Let some house cleaning take a while. Make some of your typical weekly tasks a little easier or complete them faster without being perfect. Ask your family for help and don't worry about perfection in them either. Know the things that are most important to you and let the rest slide a bit.

3 of the Best Career Fields to Choose to Go Back to College at Age 40

It's important to know that if you're going back to school at 40, there's a viable career out there for you. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that all three of these areas will see above-average job growth through 2030.

1. Health

Post-COVID, healthcare professions are more important than ever. Medical assistants, nurses and physical therapists are booming professions. Depending on the level chosen, these jobs may require as little as two years of higher education.

2. Education

Many teachers will retire in the next ten years. This leaves a multitude of jobs open at all levels of education. Take a good look at the area you want to live in and see the types of jobs that may be available. Jobs in science and math are the most sought after, along with bilingual teachers.

3. Computer and information technology

For better or worse, technology is here to stay. The IT and information technology job market is growing by leaps and bounds, for everything from web developers to information security. The great thing about tech jobs is that new jobs are created all the time, the ones we didn't know we needed.

Going to school at 40 is very possible. With a little planning, forethought, and good support, you can make a decision that can lead to a career change, job satisfaction, and financial stability.

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