The Worst Excuses for Not Going Back to School

Maybe you always planned to attend college, but got an amazing job offer and jumped directly into the workforce after high school.

Or maybe you went for a few semesters, but a family emergency called you back home.

Whatever the reason, you always planned to get your degree, but life kept getting in the way.

Now it’s time to make it happen. I know you want to, but every time you start to really consider it, doubts and excuses creep into your mind.

That’s why I’ve put together proof (including some pretty impressive statistics) that you really do have the time and resources to go back to school, so the next time those excuses come knocking, you can kick them to the curb and get on with your education (and your life).

The Worst Excuses for Not Going Back to School

I Don’t Have Time

This is probably the most common excuse for not going back to school. And I get it – since you last attended classes, you’ve probably added a family, a full-time job, and a mortgage to your list of responsibilities.

But now, going back to school is easier than ever, because many schools are offering night, weekend, and online courses designed to fit in the working adult’s busy schedule.

So don’t worry about trying to quit your job or go part-time. There are more options than ever to build a semester that works around your busy schedule.

I Can’t Afford It

Yes, college is an investment and it’s not cheap. But can you afford not to go back?

An August study by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce revealed that since recession began, postsecondary degrees have become invaluable in terms of both wages and job placement.

Specifically:

In 2012, the unemployment rate for college grads was 7%.

The unemployment rate for high school graduates was 24%.

Since the recession began, jobs requiring bachelor’s degrees increased by 2.2 million. Jobs that only require a high school diploma decreased by 5.8 million.

Other studies have shown that college graduates make more over the lifetimes of their careers.

So yes, college is expensive, but it’s an investment worth making for your long-term career and financial security.

And just because you’re not 18 doesn’t mean you can’t get a scholarship or apply for financial aid.

I’m Too Old

Are you worried about being the oldest person in a classroom full of fresh-faced 18-year-olds?

Don’t be.

Since the recession kicked in, more and more working adults are heading back to the classroom to brush up their skills and make themselves more marketable.

The American Association of Community Colleges even reported that workforce training classes designed for over-50 crowd grew from 50 to over 1,000 courses between 2008 and 2011.

So jump on the bandwagon and get enrolled—you won’t be the only one over the legal drinking age.

I’ll Have to Start All Over

No, you won’t!

If you’ve taken some college courses, there’s a good chance that some, if not all, of those credits will still count and can be transferred to a new program.

It depends on what you took, how long ago it was, and what you plan on studying – if you studied communications and now you want to go into nursing, you may need extra science credits.

But you won’t know until you ask. So get in touch with an admissions counselor at the program you’re considering and ask them to review your transcript.

When it comes down to it, we all make time for what’s important to us.

And what could be more important than furthering your education and your career?

Are excuses and doubts keeping you from going back to school?

What are they?

Let us know in the comments below!