hen you’re a mature student, going back to school could be a great option for you. You may be at a stage in your life where you want to earn more, learn a new skill set or have a more stable career. Investing time into your education can help you improve your life in all of those aspects.
In this blog, we’ll go through the reasons why you should go back to school as a mature student. These include:
Let’s get into it:
When you’re going back to school as a mature student, you are in luck since many colleges and universities are now offering online courses because of the rapid changes that occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. You won’t have to worry about commuting or leaving your kids home alone since you can work from anywhere that you feel comfortable and where you retain the most information for better education.
Getting practical education may be the way to go, since you as a mature student are likely focused on the workforce and what type of education can get you a better paying job. Many career colleges offer online education with a practicum component so you can find meaningful work after you graduate.
If you work in a technical field, you may need to take courses to upgrade your skills. In recent years, we have seen the rise in older students, which can be attributed to the profound changes in the industry. The need to adapt to a changing workplace is only expected to grow as technology continues to have an impact on how we work and the types of jobs we undertake.
You've probably been in the workforce for a while, and your prior working experiences have given you some incredibly valuable experiences. When applying for jobs with potential companies, these experiences and recently acquired knowledge might really benefit your application. As well, being a mature student might have a significant impact on professional advancement since an employer may view you as a more stable, trustworthy, and responsible applicant.
As we age, our likes and interests might change, as do our needs and wants in life. Perhaps the job you are currently working at no longer serves you or provides the fulfillment that you are seeking in life. If this is the case, then it might be time for a change.
Starting a new career path can be in your best interest. Aside from better pay, you may also be looking for better work-life balance, a new challenge, or a new passion. People who do the research and make the career switch that they want often report feeling happier, more satisfied, less stressed, and more gratification and contentment.
Part of knowing that you’ll be fulfilled as a mature student is making sure you are actually prepared. Before you get to post-secondary education, you can make a back to school plan. ALIS Alberta has a resource that you can use to make sure that you’re ready and prepared to go back to school as a mature student.
Returning to school as an adult can significantly boost one's earning potential. With extra training, many employees discover they may advance beyond their current positions into managerial positions or other leadership responsibilities, which typically bring with them increased pay.
Going back to school means you will obtain new knowledge and a new skill set for life. It will not only help you as an individual, but can have great implications for your family and loved ones as well. It can mean a better life, better management of finances, and more opportunity to do what you want.
Whether it’s in the form of student loans or scholarships and bursaries, you can get the financial aid you need to pursue your education as a mature student. Regardless of where you are in Canada, your provincial or territorial government, along with the federal government, will help you.
Many times the institution that you are interested in will also have different types of financial aid available for you to take advantage of. In fact, there are some scholarships that are set aside specifically for mature students only.
If you’re a mature student looking to upgrade, change your career, find a new passion, or are simply new to Canada and trying to find relevant education, ABM College can help you. You can achieve your educational and career goals in only a year’s time with our technology, healthcare or business courses.
Can’t start in September? Nothing to worry about. ABM College offers monthly intakes so you can start when it’s convenient for you, and graduate as fast as possible. Contact us for more information or read more career and education tips on our blog.
Get started on the road to becoming an ABM College graduate today with our free information kit. In it, you will learn about all of the exciting programs we offer, our philosophy, information about our campuses, and lots more.