Getting an education is possible at any age, and yet many adults put off their dreams of returning to school to get the qualifications they need. With so many flexible ways to study nowadays, there’s no reason to give up on education. Here are just some of the excuses that people come up with and why you should never let these excuses get in the way of your dreams.
‘I’m too old to go back to school’
Youth doesn’t give you any advantage when it comes to education. If anything, age can give you experience and a greater sense of motivation which allows you to commit more to your studies when you’re older. So long as you’re still compos mentis enough to take in and remember information, there’s nothing to stop you getting an education right the way up into your 90s.
‘It’s too expensive’
Tuition fees have skyrocketed, but there are still loan options out there for mature students. Alternatively, you could consider looking into company-sponsored courses which are entirely free with the condition that you must work for a certain company afterwards. There are also countries abroad where higher education is free – if you’re prepared to travel, it could help save you money.
‘I have too many commitments’
You can still study whilst looking after children, running a household and working a full-time job. This is thanks to online courses that allow you to study in your own time from home. This means that you don’t have to travel to lectures or seminars, whilst most essays and exams can be completed online too. You’ll still have deadlines to meet, but you work studying into your own schedule despite whatever other responsibilities you may have.
‘Three years is too long’
For those eager to get into their dream career, you needn’t have to sit through three years of studying first. There are now accelerated courses such as this 1 year online MBA program, that can allow you to condense your studies into a year. This can be quite intensive, but for those dedicated to getting an education it easily achievable.
‘Getting a degree doesn’t guarantee you a job’
This is true – just because you get a degree doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be able to get that dream job afterwards. However, it will broaden your options when it comes to jobhunting, allowing you access to careers you might not otherwise have been able to get into. Besides, there are company-sponsored courses that do guarantee you a job at the end (although these are quite competitive to get into).
‘I’m not smart enough’
Succeeding at education isn’t all about having a naturally high IQ. With enough determination, anyone can get an education – it’s all about how you use your mind. Being older, you’ll probably be wiser than when you were younger and you’ll be surprised by how much more easily you pick things up. Besides, most people aren’t able to get an education when they’re young not because they’re not intelligent enough, but because they’re not focused or motivated enough by education – by pursuing an education voluntarily, you’re certain to be more motivated.
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