Tips for Going Back to School as a Working Adult

Many adults are choosing to return to college to earn a degree. Nearly 2.6 million students aged 30 or older enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in the fall 2025 semester, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

One of the biggest challenges these types of students often face in going back to school as an adult is how to balance getting an education with continuing to work. Fortunately, the flexibility of online degree programs has made it much less difficult for working adults to reach their educational goals. In addition, following certain tips can help adults who both work and go to college accomplish their objectives.

What Are the Benefits of Going Back to School as an Adult?

Adults have many reasons for returning to school. Going back to college as an adult allows individuals to take advantage of certain potential benefits, such as:

Enhancing their earnings. In 2024, people who had a bachelor’s degree had a median weekly wage of $1,543, while people whose highest level of education was a high school diploma had a median weekly wage of $930, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Advancing in their careers. Earning a degree offers the opportunity to acquire new skills and expertise that are necessary to progress along a career path.
Changing their careers. Adults who go back to school can get the credentials they need to enter a new profession.
Following their passions. Pursuing a passion by earning a degree in a particular field of interest can result in significant personal growth and position adults to accomplish long-held goals.
Setting a positive example. When working adults go back to school, they serve as great role models for their children and demonstrate the importance of getting an education.

Tips for Working Adults Who Want to Go Back to School

Adults can address many of the challenges of working while in college by following certain tips. As summarized below, adults can do several things to make working while in school a successful experience.

Be Thoughtful in Choosing a Degree to Pursue

Individuals can benefit from researching the degrees they are thinking about earning to help them in deciding whether their goals seem reasonable. For example, it can be helpful to learn about a degree program’s required coursework and course prerequisites. Of course, it is also worthwhile to research the specific skills that students in the program can gain, as well as the careers to which the degree can lead.

Additionally, when people have prior college credits, it is important for them to determine whether they can transfer those credits when they enroll in a particular degree program.

Consider Online Degree Programs

In choosing a degree program, working adults can benefit from exploring the advantages that online degree programs offer. Online degree programs cost less than in-person programs. By providing access to courses at any time of the day, online programs give working adults a great deal of flexibility.

Online degree programs also eliminate the travel time to attend classes and the need for child care while in class. The ability to get an education from any location is one of the best benefits of online learning, and this opens up a wide range of degree programs to working adults no matter where they live.

Practice Good Time Management

Effective time management can be the key to successfully getting a degree while working. Setting priorities and establishing a structured schedule for work, study, and other obligations can be very helpful. Tracking all family members’ events and appointments on a central calendar is also a good idea.

Avoiding procrastination and making a concerted effort to keep up with school assignments can help working adults as they navigate both working and going to school.

Actively Strive to Balance Work, School, and Personal Obligations

Being intentional about balancing all of their obligations can help working adults as they earn their degrees. It is important for working adults to set clear boundaries in their jobs and at home so that they can reserve time to study. Informing their employers about significant school deadlines can be a good way for working adults to be proactive in balancing their work and school responsibilities.

Developing a support network can help adults in balancing all of their obligations as well. When working adults involve their family members, friends, fellow students, and co-workers in their educational journey, those individuals can be motivated to offer help that can make it easier for students to manage all of their commitments.

Devote Time to Self-Care

Going back to school as an adult can be stressful, but spending some time on self-care can help working adults reduce that stress. Self-care does not have to be expensive or overly time-consuming. Adults who are in college can try meditating for a few minutes, taking a walk around the block to decompress, or eating a healthy snack.

Career Changer vs. Career Advancer: What Are the Options?

By earning a degree, working adults can significantly improve their career prospects by acquiring expertise that will allow them to either change careers or advance in their current field.

Changing Careers

Earning a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in a new or adjacent field can be a great way for adults who want to move into a new career to prepare. For example:

An individual who works in retail but wants to pursue their passion for technology could earn a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity or a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems.
A teacher who is ready to make a transition out of education and into a new career in human resources could earn a Bachelor of Human Resource Management.
A social worker who aspires to manage public programs could earn a Master of Public Administration.
An engineer with an interest in moving into a management position could earn a Master of Business Administration.
A salesperson looking to move into a new career in the field of marketing could earn a Master of Science in Marketing.

Advancing in a Career

Earning a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree also is a great way for adults who enjoy working in their current field to prepare to advance into positions of greater responsibility. For example:

A registered nurse who wants to move into healthcare management could earn a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration.
A payroll clerk or accounts receivable clerk who wants to advance to a position as an accountant could earn a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
A law enforcement officer who wants to advance to a role focused on digital investigations could earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Forensics and Digital Investigations.
A financial analyst who wants to advance into forecasting or using artificial intelligence in financial analysis could earn a Master of Science in Financial Analytics.
An information technology project manager looking to progress into a position steering technology initiatives could earn a Master of Science in Digital Transformation Leadership.

Adults Who Return to School Can Make Their Career Dreams a Reality

Returning to college as an adult makes it possible for people to pursue careers that parallel their interests and enables them to provide for their families. With careful preparation and planning, it is possible for working adults to get the education they need to work in meaningful careers that offer the chance to make a difference.

Anyone who is interested in going back to college can explore Champlain College’s online degree programs to learn how one of these programs can help them reach their career goals. Champlain College offers more than 75 online degree and certificate programs. Its online courses are available to students 24/7, and students can complete courses quickly in the six terms that Champlain College offers each year.

Now is the time to start achieving your dream of earning a college degree.

Recommended Readings

Demystifying Prerequisites: What Students Need to Know

Securing Your Future: Scholarships for Adults Returning to School

Your Path to College Credit: How Prior Learning, Certifications, and Alternative Credit Can Fast-Track Your Degree

Sources:

American Council on Education, “For Adult Learners, College Means More Than Just Jobs and Wages”

Bright Horizons, “How to Fight Burnout as an Adult Learner: Strategies That Actually Work”

College Ave, “How to Balance School and Work: Essential Strategies”

EAB, “Adult Learners: Who They Are and What They Want From College”

Indeed, “12 Benefits of Online Education (With Tips and Examples)”

Indeed, “12 Tips for Balancing Working Full Time and Going to School”