If you find yourself in the middle of a career change or update, then you can be faced with a horrifying reality: going back to school.
If you find yourself in the middle of a career change or update, then you can be faced with a horrifying reality: going back to school.
You know that it’s not really that bad. It’s a good thing, actually. You’re going to go and get the qualifications you need to get where you want to be in life. That’s a positive thing, one you are actively looking forward to. It might even lead to you being able to you quitting your job in favor of something you’re going to actively enjoy. It’s going to be great.
Going back to school can be horrifying. Here's how to make it bearable. Click To Tweet
Then the memories begin.
It’s often said that our school days are the best days of our life. First and foremost: no, they’re not. If the ‘best days of life’ involve teenage acne, hormones, and having very little autonomy over your own choices, then that’s a pretty sad state to be in. Secondly, that idea suggests that all of the good things about being an adult – finding a partner, having kids, being in charge of yourself – are somehow inferior. Nonsense. School days are nice if you’re lucky, but for most of us, they’re just the launcher for the rest of our lives.
If you weren’t lucky, then your school days were the exact opposite: they were the worst days. You don’t look back with tinges of nostalgia; you look back as a cautionary reminder to be grateful for where you are now, because at least you’re not at school. Whether it was high school that was your tormentor or college that got you down, education was just not something that sat well with you.
Yet here you are, a functioning adult, making the decision to go back to school. So how can you make it bearable?
- Keep It Simple
For many, education was a tough time because they found it too stimulating. Too many people, too much to do, too many subjects to try and wrap your tired mind around. If you frequently came home from school with a pounding headache and felt like putting your head in the freezer, then try and avoid this the second time around.
Firstly, do you even have to go to a school at all? Online education is more common than ever so long as you do your research and find something that suits. The likes of findyourcontext.education can help you towards that goal, as can talking to former students – there’s plenty of online forums to grab advice from. You may even choose to enhance your skills with a Master’s in Marketing.
If you do have to go to a physical building, then ask about the class size before you register. If it sounds too overwhelming, it might be worth looking for another establishment.
- Remind Yourself Why You’re Doing This
A simple sticky-note on the bathroom mirror will do the job. As you get caught in the drudgery of being back in education, a daily reminder that you’re doing this to better your prospects might be just what you need. You could also try affirmations for peace of mind, with some great suggestions available at personaldevelopmentwisdom.com.
- Dip Your Toe In
If you’re not sure you can handle a full educational program from the off, then try a night class before you throw yourself into a full-time schedule. This can give you great practice for firing your brain up for learning again, without disrupting your life too terribly if it doesn’t work out.
