So You Want to Return to Education: Now What?
The coronavirus pandemic may be bad news on the whole, but it would be wrong to suggest that there haven’t been some positives to come out of it. One such example is that it’s given us an opportunity to really think about how we’re living, and made us question which aspects of our existence we’d like to change or improve. It could be that now’s the time to step up your career, for instance. One way to do that is to return to higher education. It’ll take time, but it’ll have long-term benefits. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some useful tips that’ll move you in the right direction.
Think Long-Term
If you’re going to take the time to go to university, then you’ll want to make it as valuable as possible. One way to do this is to look at the future prospects for all the careers that you’re thinking about. In the future, many jobs — and even entire industries — will be lost to AI and automation, while some will fall away for other reasons. If you’re going to go to university to study on a course, then check that the long-term prospects for people with that degree are strong.
Course and University
So you’ve decided to go back to university: now what? You’ll need to pick a course and a university. This can seem a little overwhelming, but it shouldn’t be — in fact, it can be fun. After all, this is an exciting chapter you’re beginning! For the course, it’s best to pick one that you have an interest in (and one which, as mentioned above, will give you a fine career). The university will depend on where you want to live, and which you’re able to get into with your existing education level. An issue you may be facing is the cost of certain courses at particular universities, but it’s not all doom and gloom. There are lots of online classes you could attend for a much lower price, and there’s even a free coding camp for those looking to break into the technology industry.
Settling Into Student Life
You’ll be excited to have chosen your course and university, but only after that’s finished will the real work begin. It’s important to prepare properly so that you’re ready to hit the ground running once the course starts. You can look at the accommodation options from a student lettings company if you won’t be living at home, so that you have the perfect place to unwind and rest after you’ve finished studying for the day. In the months leading up to the beginning of your course, you may want to begin reading your course textbooks, too. This will help you to slowly build up your ability to learn again, which is useful if you’ve been away from education for a long time.
Balancing Work and Education
It’s likely that you’ll have to work alongside your studies. This can seem a little overwhelming, but there are things you can do to make it easier. One thing you can do is to get organised; a clear schedule can really make a big difference. You’ll also want to talk to your employer. They may be willing to change your schedule so that you have time to study on top of your work duties.
