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Historically, the college system has been flawed. It is geared specifically for students who have just completed high school, usually between the ages of 18 and 22. But more recently, colleges have been making more and more concessions for non-traditional students, including working adults. Colleges are making it easier for working men and women, many of whom are supporting their families, to complete their degree.

There are many myths about degree completion that need to be debunked to ease the minds of working adults considering obtaining their degrees. Below, we will try to debunk five of these myths.

It’s too late for me.
Frankly, no, it is not. It’s never too late to return to school. That is why many universities offer online courses, weekend courses and telecourses. They exist to help the working adult get back into college. Many teachers offer study sessions, just in case there is something you don’t understand.

I won’t succeed in college after all these years.
Says who? Just because you’ve been out of school for a long time, or even if you’ve never been to college, that doesn’t mean you won’t succeed now. You can’t be afraid to try new things, and you can’t be afraid of failure. Failure is the worst-case scenario – the best-case scenario is your dreams come true.

Going back to college can’t really help me.
Sorry, wrong again. There are many benefits of returning to college. It’s a great way to gain education and better yourself. It’s a great way to learn about a new field so you can start a new career. And even if you don’t plan on starting a new career, it’s a great way to impress your current boss and move up in your current field.

I won’t have time for my family between work and school.
That’s the beauty of online degree completion courses. You study the lessons and do the homework when and where you want. Telecourses allow you to videotape your courses and get to them whenever you can. Weekend courses are on a rigid schedule but generally don’t bite into too much of your weekend. These courses are planned around your convenience.

It’s just a combination of the above factors. I’m scared.
Don’t be afraid to change your life. It’s your life, and it’s in your hands. The next step is up to you. Make the leap – contact a counselor and discover how degree completion can make a difference in your life today!

For more information about Degree Completion, check out these schools with degree completion programs.

Take inventory.
Are you going to college for the first time or re-entering after an absence? Determine how many prior college credits you have, including non-credit courses and any life or work experience skills. Even if the subjects don’t seem applicable to a major, they might count as elective credits toward a degree.

Define your educational goals.
Ask yourself why you want to go back to school.
Do I want to change my career?
Am I enhancing my current career?
Do I need to finish that college degree from years ago?

By focusing on your motivation, you can best define your educational goals. Personality and career counseling tests are available to help pinpoint interests and help you decide on a career path. This is a basic test, but there are many services available that can help you focus on your specific talents.

Hint: Community colleges often offer these tests free or at a low cost but may limit these services to current students.

Another good resource is the Occupational Outlook Handbook. An in-depth overview of a wide range of professions is available, as well as employment outlooks for specific industries, salary averages and even job search tips.

If you are still undecided, don’t worry. You don’t have to know exactly what you’re looking to study when you contact a school. Many schools employ special advisors who will help you select coursework that will fit into various degree programs and schedules.

Once you have defined your educational goals, you can determine your program needs:

Certificate.
A certificate signifies the completion of a specialized number of courses, generally required for vocational or technical training. Many times, certificate courses can be completed very quickly. These usually are designed to enhance your current job skills or prepare you for a licensing test.

Associate Degree.
An Associate degree is generally the completion of a total of 60 semester credit hours. Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees are often offered by technical schools and community and junior colleges.

Bachelor’s Degree.
A Bachelor’s degree generally comprises the completion of a total of 120 semester credit hours. A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is generally a degree in one of the arts or humanities, and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) is a degree in one of the sciences.

Master’s Degree.
A Master’s degree is the completion of one to two years of full-time academic study beyond the Bachelor’s degree. Some programs are shorter than two years, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and can be used to enhance your professional skill set or qualify for promotions on the job.

Four-year colleges aren’t right for everyone! In 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that one out of three college students drop out!

But if you’ve dropped out of college - or decided college wasn’t the right choice for you in the first place - a higher education is still one of the most valuable assets you can have in today’s world. Fortunately, there’s no need to lose hope - a four-year degree isn’t the only kind of education available!

Some students who drop out of four-year universities switch to local colleges, in search of two-year Associate degrees. Two-year degrees can prepare students for a number of entry-level positions, as well as provide a good base if a student decides to go back to college in search of a Bachelor’s degree. They also have the advantage of often being far cheaper, which can be a great help if monetary considerations are one of the reasons a student felt that a four-year university wasn’t right for them!

In addition to local community colleges, career colleges can also be a good choice for students looking to further their education. With career colleges, students receive a very targeted education, specific to their wants and goals. Programs are usually completed in a far faster time than a four-year university and consist of very practical education, which makes a career college great option for someone who wants to move right into the workforce.

If a four-year college isn’t the best choice for you, learn more about your alternatives! Don’t let money discourage you - financial aid is often available. Many programs are also flexible enough to work around your work schedule or family responsibilities, and the rewards for your efforts are well worth it. No matter what option you go with - education is the best way to achieve future success.

Ever feel stressed about trying to balance school, work, family, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life? Procrastinating, feeling bogged down or having trouble figuring out where to start? It can be helpful to make a daily to-do list.

To-do lists often get a bad rap for being only for the super-organized. The truth is that a little organization can go a long way to help you make the best use of your time and accomplish your goals.

How to make an effective to-do list:

1. Include things that absolutely must be done and things you’d like to complete if time allows.
2. Next to each task, try to estimate how much time you plan to spend on that job. This will only take a couple minutes out of your day, but it can be a worthwhile investment, helping you manage your time and be more productive.
3. One thing to keep in mind – it’s important to not overbook yourself. Establishing a mile-long list can be counterproductive. Chances are you’ll only become overwhelmed by a daunting all-inclusive list.
4. Keep it reasonable. Avoid including tasks you know you won’t have time for that day.
5. Make a plan and then make an effort to follow it. You’ll not only feel more productive throughout the day; you’ll gain a feeling of achievement each time you cross an item off your list.

Going away to college does not rank high on the priority list for everyone, especially not for people who have the responsibilities of a family. However, the benefits of going to college to complete your degree might outweigh any discomfort or inconvenience.

If you desire to get ahead in life, whether it is for career advancement, financial security or your own personal fulfillment, going to college to complete your degree may be your best choice. Here are five reasons why completing your degree is not such a bad idea.

1. Those with a college degree earn more. You probably know that a college degree translates into a larger paycheck. What you might not have known is that the actual difference is in the millions over a course of a lifetime. That is a big deal when you consider that it takes less than four years to complete a degree, and many degree completion programs are accelerated to help you complete your degree faster.
2. College degrees lead to career advancement. Seven of the top ten fastest-growing careers in the nation require some sort of degree, whether it be an Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or other professional program. Having a degree opens the door to career advancement quicker than anything else.
3. Completing your degree is not as expensive as you think. The cost of getting a college degree is rising, but so is the amount of financial aid available to help cover the cost of a college education. There are millions of dollars in private scholarships, federal grants and loans, and private grants and loans that you can take advantage of to pay for your education. You might even qualify for tuition reimbursement from your company. The money is available to pay for college; you just have to do a little research to find it.
4. Updating your professional skills keeps you competitive. Technology changes everyday, and with it, the daily duties of many jobs change as well. Completing your degree gives you an opportunity to study the changes in your industry while updating and improving your professional skills so you remain competitive in a dynamic market.
5. Completing your degree provides a sense of accomplishment. There are few feelings that are more satisfying than the sense of completion. You feel great just knowing you stuck it out, worked hard, completed the task and achieved your goal. Going to college might not be the easiest thing you will ever do, but completing your degree will certainly be one of the best – and smartest – things you have ever done.