Are you in two minds about whether  you should go to university? Take this as your sign to go for it!

Tertiary education isn’t demarcated to those who have just stepped out of high school. Instead, learning can be a lifelong occurrence and thankfully, more and more adults are seeing it in that light. Last year, we saw 75-year-old Notozi Jennifer Mgobozi from Cape Town graduate with a master’s degree in education. In 2017, the then 88-year-old Horace Sheffield in the US graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Christian studies. These are a few of the inspirational examples of people who didn’t allow age to hold them back. Whether you’re a nine-to-fiver or have your eyes set on a new career path, the benefits of staying educated are ample.

Overall well-being

While many find it a schlep to study, learning does have its perks when it comes to health and happiness. It stimulates the mind and contributes to brain health, reducing the risk of memory decline disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. And don’t get us started on personal development. Taking the courageous leap to sharpen up your education is something you should be proud of. You will feel so accomplished and more confident in yourself for going through this journey – it’s a rewarding process despite its highs and lows. It will instil a sense of purpose in you (something that many adults struggle with once they are stuck in a rut in their current career).

Skills development

Perhaps the most important benefit of taking up further studies is the positive impact it has on your career. With a rather scary unemployment rate in the country, it’s important to have a qualification behind your name to decrease your chances of becoming part of the statistics. More than that, the skills that are in demand are ever-evolving. Not staying up to date with the latest skills can hold you back significantly, keeping you from getting that job or promotion, and it can lead to a couple of career falters if you’re an entrepreneur, too. Education is a sure-fire way to open up more opportunities for yourself in the working world.

Equality in the workplace

Inequality at work is still a grim reality in this day and age. It’s true that we’ve seen a move in the right direction, but there are still various cases in which a category of people are on the short end when it comes to raises, promotions and salaries. In this regard, adult education is  worthwhile, and it will help you to rise above others despite factors like your race or gender.

Tips for adult students

Plan your time It can be hard to find time to delve into your studies, especially if you have other duties such as maintaining a family and working a full-time job on your plate too. This is where planning comes into play. Set up to-do lists. It would be wise to plan your day according to time, too – by this time I want X to be done, and by that time I want to start with Y, for example.

Get your support system in check

Speaking of other duties, it’s important that you inform your loved ones that you’ll be spending time on education and ask for their support where possible to make the studying process less stressful for yourself. Whether it’s helping to get dinner ready or lending a hand with chores around the house that you are usually responsible for, every bit of help you can get will contribute to the success of your studies.

Consider the options

Do your research to see which form of education will best suit your current schedule and lifestyle. Do you want to attend classes on campus, or would you rather opt for online classes, short courses, or part-time studies?

Don’t put yourself under financial stress

Before taking this big step, ensure that you have the financial capability to complete your studies and that doing so won’t put you under financial pressure. If you find that the cost of the specific course or degree you’re interested in is a bit steep, you could choose to put off your studies for a year or two until you’ve saved up enough. There are also many cheaper – and sometimes even free – learning courses and material available online. Podcasts could be a great learning tool, and it’s much more accessible than tertiary institutions. 

Word by Bianca Muller
Photography: Courtesy Images