Returning to college as an adult learner turns the page to the next chapter of your life. Graduation can mean access to more and better jobs, higher earnings, and more financial security—particularly during recessions and other economic disasters. That doesn’t mean the path to completing your degree is always easy or free of twists and turns. Here are the greatest barriers to graduation and what you can do to surmount them.
Over a lifetime, steady pay increases can earn you a million dollars or more. But asking your employer for a raise is easier said than done, and the pressure alone can be enough to turn many off to the idea. The good news, though, is that if you come prepared and equipped with research, the conversation will be easier than you think and potentially lead to life-altering benefits
A college degree is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It prepares you with the skills you need for the job you want, empowers you to change your community, and shows employers that you’re serious about ascending the career ladder.
In addition to all of that, a college degree can also help you make more money. Bachelor’s degree holders have median weekly earnings of $502 more than those with just a high school diploma. That adds up to $26,104 more per year and more than a quarter of a million dollars in excess earnings in the 10 years following graduation.
Setting goals may be the secret ingredient in the recipe for long-term success. In fact, one Harvard Business study found that the 3 percent of MBA graduates who wrote down their goals ended up earning ten times as much as the other 97 percent combined, ten years after graduation.
The time management strategies you choose in college can make or break your college experience. Between work, school, and other obligations, such as tending to the kids or keeping the house clean, you may feel there’s not enough time in your day to get it all done. Fortunately, there are many free time management tools available that not only can help keep you organized amidst the chaos, but also save you tons of time as well.
A college degree remains one of the most valuable investments, boasting an incredibly high return on investment. Bachelor’s degree holders in 2019 had median weekly earnings of $1,248 compared to $746 for those with just a high school diploma and $833 for those with some college experience. In just a few years, and sometimes a lot less if you choose the right school and the right degree, your total earnings will greatly exceed the average cost of a degree.
Applying for college is a powerful step toward a better life. College graduates have median weekly earnings that are $502 higher than those with just a high school diploma. Their unemployment rates are lower, and they’re safer in an economic downturn. A college degree can change the course of someone’s entire life. Despite these benefits, the path to a degree for many adult students is windy and uphill. For example, many students leave college before completing their degree. Others struggle to fit college into their already busy lives, straining both their personal and professional endeavors.
Follow your dreams. It’s advice we’ve all heard—and something adult students are trying to put into action every day. Without a specific plan, though, it’s easy for your dreams for the future to feel too far away or too difficult to achieve. Setting clear, actionable goals can help you more effectively develop a plan to get from where you are today to where you want to be tomorrow. It also helps you benchmark progress on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis, so you always have complete insight into how far you’ve come and what needs to happen next.
Do you feel unmotivated at work? Do you struggle with your identity as a worker or worry that you can’t advance any further in your career? If you’ve already tried everything you can think of to breathe life into your job, you might be burned out or stuck in a career rut. If so, you’re not alone. Many workers report feeling bored and uninspired at work.
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