Working adults returning to college is as much a statistical trend as a persistent internal voice for those considering the possibility. According to the 2024 State of Higher Education report, nearly six in ten unenrolled adults have considered pursuing additional education in the past two years.

I worked in the local news industry for the better part of two decades. The high-adrenaline professional life hid so well the fatigue brewing inside me. "News never sleeps," managers would say. As it turns out, neither did I. As I approached my mid-40s, it was time to pivot.

Here are eight important tips for adults going back to college. 

1. Assess Your Goals and Motivation

Clearly understanding why you’re going back to school will provide the foundation you need to stay focused. Are you aiming for a promotion, a career change, or acquiring new skills? Set specific, measurable goals that align with your long-term objectives.

Your goals can be as much personal as professional. Maybe you want to change "Work hard, play hard" to "Work-life balance." I had a job that required me to be on-call 24/7. I was motivated to turn my mobile phone on silent during personal time.

Professionally, your goal might be to pivot to a health care job, hop on the latest technology trend like AI, or get more business acumen that benefits any industry. 

Know your goals, write them down, or create a vision board with your ideal work-life balance, and refer to it often. 

2. Choose the Right Program and Institution

The best advice for adults going back to college includes finding the right place to begin or continue your education. Researching the right learning environment, financial assistance, and tuition costs is crucial. 

Part of your goal setting can include what kind of higher learning institution you want to attend and how you'd like coursework delivered. Would you like on-site, scheduled virtual classes, learn-at-your-own pace, or hybrid? How many hours a week can you devote to learning and coursework? 

Use the Appily personalized Back-to-School Plan, which can identify ideal learning locations based on your goals and timeline. 

Also, look for accelerated programs that could get you closer to your goals. These can help you earn a bachelor's and master's degree at the same time. 

3. Create a Flexible Schedule

One big challenge when figuring out how to go back to college as an adult is time. Current work conflicts and an overloaded personal schedule could make going back to college as a working adult seem impossible. 

The best advice I'll give you in this article is, "Never let yourself say or think that you don't have time for this." Flip that into "I can't afford to miss this chance to excel." 

You must create an uncompromising time block in your schedule if going back to college as a working adult can happen. I cleared my schedule every Friday to devote to ongoing education. I was so inspired to get to Friday that I worked smarter and became more efficient in my other "normal" activities to make room. 

4. Communicate with Your Employer

Among the best tips for adults going back to college while still in the workforce is to talk to your employer about it. First, see if there is a potential tuition reimbursement offered through your employer.

Even if you plan to make a career pivot, be honest with your boss about it. Assure them you'll be a devoted worker and help prepare for the transition, then work through ways to create more flexibility in your schedule. 

No matter what your next career step is, a reference from your most recent employer is valuable to set the bar for your work ethic. 

5. Utilize Campus Resources

Even if you're mostly taking online courses, you're still a student of the learning institution and should know what benefits come with that tuition. 

Academic advising helps you plan your course load, while tutoring services offer personalized assistance. Libraries and online databases provide research materials and career counseling guides offer great insight. 

Use the office hours of your instructor to explain your decision to go back to college as an adult working in a full-time or part-time job. You might find more flexibility on that end, too. 

6. Build a Support Network

A strong support network, including family, friends, and peers, is crucial for managing work, school, and personal life. Go over your schedule with those in your circle to find ways to make room for more class or study time. 

Lean into social circles for help with carpooling the kids or playdates for quiet time during class. Some brick-and-mortar colleges might offer daycare to students. You might even find classmates who are adult learners and find a new study partner. 

7. Manage Stress and Maintain Health

After the cost of college and work schedule, stress and mental health concerns were among the biggest barriers for adults wanting to go back to college in the 2024 report.

Here's how I came to terms with it–I could either keep stressing myself sick doing a job I was good at but loathed, or I could create "outside my comfort zone stress" while facing new challenges that would be rewarding down the road.

Don't forgo exercise or healthy eating to make room for your studies. Speak with a mental health provider (maybe there's a counselor on campus?) to do a monthly check-in. 

8. Financial Planning and Budgeting

You can't look for a good deal when it comes to going back to college as an adult. You need to look for a good value. The 2024 State of Higher Education report found that the costs or presumed costs stopped 85% of adults considering going back to college. However, don't assume anything. 

Some colleges price online learning the same regardless of where students live. Look for regional reciprocity agreements that offer discounted tuition for geographical areas, like New England, the Midwest, or the South. 

I used this helpful checklist from the Department of Education Federal Student Aid office to find financial aid offerings and scholarship opportunities.

Finally, factor in how much you will have to pay back vs. the earning power of your new degree or certificate.

Become One of the Adults Returning to College Today

Adults returning to college can start their process with the Appily career planning tools and career quizzes. You're in charge of your future, and we can help point you in the right direction.