If you are thinking about returning to studying at some point, you may be wondering when the best time to get back to the books might be. Many people finish their time at college and then decide that they want to take some time away from learning and concentrate on forging ahead with their careers instead. But how do you know when is the best time to return to studying?
After You Have Had Some Time in the Industry
If you are feeling a little burnt out after all the studying you had to do for your initial degree, you are not alone. Every year, graduates decide that they want to take some time to focus on working in order to climb up the career ladder. It may be that you have already thought about returning to studying at some point, but if it feels right for you to work on your career now then that should be your priority. You don’t have to rush back into education if you don’t want to and it is a good idea to get some practical experience, especially if you have a lot of student debt you want to pay off first. Don’t beat yourself up if your friends are running back to the lecture halls. You should do what is right for you.
When You Are Thinking About a Promotion
After a few years in the industry, you might feel a bit more settled. You know how to do your job well and you have got your eye on the next rung of the career ladder. It may be that you need to return to studying if you want to get ahead at this point. Even if promotion seems a long way off yet, thinking about the studying side early is a good way to let your company know that you are serious about your aspirations and you are willing to take charge of your own career rather than waiting until a promotion falls into your lap. If you want to step up into management this may be the best time to get an MBA online with Suffolk University as many companies look for this qualification to promote to the top levels.
Speak to your HR department about what qualifications you may need to get and what help they will be willing to give you. It is in their best interests to help you get ahead so you may be surprised at just how much support is on offer.
When You Have Time to Focus
Having the time to focus will make all the difference when it comes to returning to studying and being successful. Going back into it because you think you should rather than when you have time to commit to it can be a sure path to failure. Returning to studying is a big commitment so make sure you are ready for it. Often the best time to study is when you have been in the same position for a few years as you no longer have to focus on learning on the job. It may be that your workload has become more manageable as you have become more skilled and therefore you would have time to take on a study program outside of work hours. If you feel you have some free time at home and can see where a study program would fit into your life, then this is usually a good sign that you will manage and succeed in your studies.
If You Want to Change Career
After a few years in business, you may realize that your priorities have changed and the career that suited you so well as a graduate no longer fulfills your needs. Don’t despair, many people carve out successful second careers for themselves. Your time has not been wasted so far as you will have built up a lot of soft skills and transferable skills that you can use in your new career. Most people will need to get further qualifications to affect a career change, though, so this might be a good time for you to return to studying. One of your options is to return to studying online so that you can fit your studies around your current job. That way you don’t have to hand in your notice until you have completed your course and are qualified for your new career. This will make the transition easier for you to manage, especially when it comes to your finances.
If Your Lifestyle Changes
Many people return to studying again after a change in their lifestyle. It may be that you have been made redundant from your job, but your payoff has been sufficient to return to studying so you can get back into your sector more easily or change careers altogether at this point. It is prudent to look at your industry rather than just thinking about your own company if you have been made redundant. Companies restructure or fail altogether for many reasons but if it looks as if your whole industry is in decline or it is going to be hard to get a job for quite a while it may be better to review your options and possibly consider a change of career at this point.
Some people find that they want to return to studying after a career break – perhaps you have given up your job to have a family or needed to take a break to look after a sick relative, for example. A career break can be a great time to review your options as you will have time to consider what you really want in life and go for it. For many people, this will involve a return to studying but this is a brilliant time to do it because after having considered what you want, you will find it easier to focus.
For Personal Growth
Not everybody studies to get ahead in their careers. A great reason to return to studying is that you want to get some qualifications for personal growth. You can expand your mind by studying any subject and it will give you a great sense of satisfaction knowing that you are undertaking a course just for yourself. You may even find that taking the time out of your busy life to study every week gives you a new focus and a sense of purpose and studying for personal growth can give you an increased sense of confidence too.
At Any Age
There is no ‘best time’ to study depending on your age. Many people find that returning to studying after a few years in the industry is the best time for them because they are still quite focused on their education and development, and it can be easier to slip back into studying while they are still young. However, if it has been several years since you last did any studying, this can be a good time too as you are more likely to know what you want from life and your career, and it may be easier to focus once you get older.
While the best time to study for a promotion is while you are still working and aiming to climb the career ladder that doesn’t mean that you can’t return to studying at the end of your working life. Many people find that the best time to return to studying is once they have retired, and this is especially true if you want to study for personal growth. Retiring means that you have time on your hands to focus on your studies and keeping your mind working can help to make you feel younger and more agile. It can be a great thing to do for your mental as well as your physical health as you push yourself to learn new things and achieve new goals.
If The Time Is Right for You
Ultimately, the best time to return to studying is when the time is right for you. Allow yourself to be encouraged by those around you but don’t pick up the books again because you are told that it is the right time to do so by someone else. Returning to studying is a personal choice and only you can decide if it is something you want to do or not. You will know in your heart when the best time to return to studying is and this is the point at which you will be at your most motivated to study hard and do well. This is the best time for you to return to studying.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you decide when the best time to return to studying is for you. There are many different study options available and points in your life when it makes the most sense to return to studying. Make sure you consider what you want to do carefully before you embark on a program of study and good luck in achieving all that you want to.
