Tips for Working Adults Going Back to School by - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Tips for Working Adults Going Back to School

By ,
September 11, 2015 at 09:49am. Views: 234

Do the back-to-school signs in the store have you itching to get back in a classroom? Back-to-school season traditionally falls around August or September for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, but a working adult can enroll in a new or advanced degree program at any time of the year, including the fall months. If you’re considering enrolling in a new or advanced degree program as a working adult, here are some factors to consider as you make this big decision: 1. Schedules Balancing school, work and families might take a bit of planning and organizational skills. “According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 39 percent of the estimated 21 million students heading back to school this fall will be over the age of 25,” says Tracy Lorenz, president of Western International University (West). “These are individuals with families, jobs, household duties and community obligations, which can often mean that making time to return to school is a challenge.” Thanks to online delivery and flexibility in scheduling, students can start a class at West at the beginning of any month. So once the back-to-school chaos has settled at home and the fall workload has smoothed out, students are able to sign up for that class they’ve been thinking of taking. Students should keep in mind the time they need for each class, not just for catching up on course materials and projects, but also for homework and online discussions with classmates. 2. Affordability Financial planning is just as important when starting out on a new degree program as it is when managing one’s household budget. Before starting a program, students should create a list of the expenses they’ll face for tuition and supplies, as well as financial aid opportunities and the potential for reimbursement from an employer. Doing so will help students understand their net investment and how it can be aligned with their other financial responsibilities. Ultimately this exercise allows students to select both the right degree program as well as the one that best fit their budget. 3. Support Working adults need support in their college endeavors as much as students continuing directly from high school. Students should let their employer know about their schooling plans, as well as friends and family who can help encourage them through each step of the process. Many colleges also offer support for adult students. For example, West provides complimentary services that range from career coaching and financial resources to tutoring services and assistance in creating a balance between work, life and school. 4. Emergency planning A kid catches the flu or the office schedules a business trip that conflicts with the course schedule. Having a backup plan can help students stick with their education plans and graduate on time. Taking classes online is a big help as it makes education fully accessible at home or even while traveling by finding a Wi-Fi hotspot to catch up on classwork over breakfast at a coffee shop or hotel. Students that make sure they have the time to complete course work, select a degree program they can afford, develop a support system of family and friends, and make sure they can continue their studies when life’s other challenges arise can help make their back-to-school experience a successful one, any time of the year.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace Woman's Club

By Hattie Strong, Community Writer

November 13, 2026 at 04:48pm. Views: 415

Join the celebration on Sunday, November 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Richard Rollins Community Park. Come play, have fun, win prizes and help celebrate 48 years of Grand Terrace!

Photo Courtesy of: BBOP Center

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 807

BBOP Information Session The Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit (BBOP) Center, an Inland Empire economic and workforce development hub and a project of Time for Change Foundation, has launched Pathways to Prosperity, its Employment Training Pathway Program (ETPP), a comprehensive workforce initiative designed to connect residents facing barriers to employment with the skills, credentials, hands-on experience and employer relationships needed to enter and advance in high-demand careers.

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino's California Theatre from 1930

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 557

Nearly a century after opening its doors, the downtown landmark remains an important connection between the city's entertainment history and its cultural future. In downtown San Bernardino, the California Theatre of the Performing Arts stands as a reminder of a time when attending a movie or live performance was one of the most anticipated social occasions in a growing Southern California city.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 524

With winter approaching, emergency officials are coordinating flood prevention, roadway maintenance and public alerts to help residents prepare for dangerous weather. A heavy rainstorm can change the landscape of San Bernardino in a matter of hours. Streets that ordinarily carry commuters and school buses can become difficult to navigate, drainage channels can fill rapidly, and neighborhoods near foothills may face increased risks from flooding and debris.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 516

A sweeping decision involving California's most serious criminal sentences has drawn strong opposition from San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson, placing the county's chief prosecutor at the center of a statewide debate over justice, victims' rights and executive authority.

Photo Courtesy of: West Valley Water District

By Socorro Pantaleon, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:14am. Views: 404

Group photos of WVWD Board Members and winning students of the 2026 Poster Contest

Photo Courtesy of: CalKIDS

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:13am. Views: 698

During National Scholarship Month, families are encouraged to check their eligibility for scholarships supporting college and career training.

Photo Courtesy of: Khouri Evans-Dangerfield

By Mike Hoover. President, Inland Empire Civil War Round Table, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 425

University of Redlands student Khouri Evans-Dangerfield will examine slavery, constitutional law and the decisions that divided a nation during a free November 15 presentation at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 420

November 11 screening of acclaimed film “All We Imagine as Light” invites students and community members to experience international cinema and discussion. Films can transport audiences to places they have never visited, introduce them to unfamiliar experiences and encourage them to consider how people in different parts of the world navigate relationships, work and personal challenges.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Willam Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 407

A decision announced in Sacramento could change the sentences of hundreds of California prisoners, bringing renewed attention to the death penalty and the future of criminal punishment across the state. Governor Gavin Newsom announced November 5 that he intends to commute the death sentences of all 548 people currently sentenced to death in California.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 505

November 21 event at Olive Avenue Market will introduce residents to drought-tolerant landscaping, city rebates and the benefits of native plants. A beautiful garden does not have to depend on a large lawn or plants that require frequent watering.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:17am. Views: 342

A school announcement can contain information that changes a family's entire afternoon. A reminder about an upcoming meeting, a schedule adjustment or a message from a teacher may determine when a parent leaves work, arranges transportation or helps a child prepare for the next school day.

--> -->