So, you have made the decision to go back to school. That is a great decision. There are few things you can do to improve your earning potential than that. The Pew Research Report looked at the earnings potential of people with and without college degrees. College graduates make, on average, $45,000. People with some college make around $30,000 and those with only high school diplomas make about $28,000. Whether you plan to enroll in an interdisciplinary studies degree program or want to get a bachelors degree in english, there are some things you can do to make the experience better.
- Get your family involved in the process. Unlike the undergraduates around you, you may have a family to think about. They may be one of the reasons you want that bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree. If you involve them in your journey, it will be easier for everyone. When you compartmentalize your family life and your school life, they may feel left out and separated from you. Bring them along on your journey. It may also inspire them to continue. Kids who see their parents going to school (and not hating it) may be more likely to want a bachelors degree of their own.
- Be meticulous with your schedule. You have more on your plate than a lot of other students, even in the interdisciplinary studies programs. This means being as organized as you can be, really important. You have to make sure you schedule time for work, school, family and yourself. It will be tempting and seem like the right thing to do to scrimp on your sleep but everything you do will suffer if you do this. You need to be well rested to get everything you need to get done actually done.
- Set your goals. One way to keep track of your goals and progress is to write it all down. Make lists of your goals and the tasks you need to complete to get there. As you complete tasks, having a written list will reinforce the positive feeling you have about the process.
- Talk to the school about resources for adult education. You are not the only student who has done back for an interdisciplinary studies degree or for any degree. Many universities and colleges have resources available for students who are returning to school and have jobs and families and that sort of thing. These can be very helpful.
- Find other adult students. Even if you do not study the same subjects, you may be in an interdisciplinary studies program while they are getting psychology degrees or family studies degree but you have something in common, you are all returning students. You can get support and understanding from each other. These groups can be great to get support and make you feel less alone in the sea of undergrads who just graduated high school.
- Set a quiet space for yourself to study. Family life can be frenetic. You need to set aside a space for your studies so you can focus on your coursework and studies. That will make a big difference in how much you get out of the experience.
- Enjoy the experience. It is easy to worry about work when you are at school and worry about school when you are at work and worry about your family all of the time. You shortchange yourself, your education, your work and your family when you do this. Be present in each. Let yourself enjoy your classes. You will get a lot more from your education if you allow yourself to really immerse yourself in your studies. You have to make sacrifices but if you derive no enjoyment from it, you will be miserable and you will make everyone around you miserable.
Going back to school is hard. Do not let anyone convince you that it is not. It can also be very rewarding experience for you and your family. It is true that you increase your earning potential but the rewards of getting a bachelors degree or a masters degree go far beyond that. You can learn a lot about the subjects you study and about yourself when you enroll in an adult education program. It will be worth it.