Career Advice - Adult Student

Returning to College as an Adult

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I'm 35 and never got a college degree. I'm ready to move forward in my career and think that I'll need a college degree to get it. I am planning to go back full-time for a while and then part-time after a year or two, but I'm concerned that I won't be able to keep up with people 15 years my junior and that I am too far out to learn.

How do I succeed? CAN I succeed?

Sincerely,

Co-Ed

April Masini's advice:

Dear Co-Ed,

Students who return to school after a hiatus are often more clear about their purpose because of the overall time frame involved, and the sacrifices they've made in order to get back to school. Many times students who go from high school to college don't have the maturity or the life experience to appreciate the opportunity. This isn't always true, but often, it is. Many high school students expect to go to college after high school. When a student is not able to go to college after high school, that opportunity becomes rare and valuable, so that when they do go to college, the experience is one that they're more conscious of.

Staying focused and clear on what you want from life -- whether it's school, dating or just the passing of a day's time -- is crucial to success. Life is not a dress rehearsal is not just a passed around saying. This is it. And each day is an opportunity gained or lost.

Anyone who gets distracted or looks for distraction is sabotaging themselves, when it comes to buckling down and getting the most out of a college experience and education.