There are many benefits to completing your college degree. Yet according to reports, only 41% of full time students earn their bachelor's degree in four years. Let’s take a look at some reasons why finishing your degree is important, college degree benefits, and how to make finishing your degree easier.
What happens if you don’t finish your degree?
Dropping out of collegeis not an easy decision. Students facing this crossroads are typically struggling with money, time, and/or personal responsibilities that make school unrealistic.
Unfortunately, hitting pause on your degree will halt other areas of your life, including:
- Fewer career opportunities:Depending on your chosen field, some jobs require a degree in order to advance. For example, nurses cannot take on higher paying roles withoutfinishing their RN degree.
- Limited earning potential:It may be harder to get your desired salary without a college degree. Employers are more likely to hire and promote those with higher education.
- Lower satisfaction:Being stalled in your career can lead to personal frustration, disappointment, and unrealized potential.
For these reasons and many more,going back to school is worth it.
Can I go back and finish my degree?
Yes! No matter your age or where you left off, you can go back to school and finish your degree. In fact, studies show that more than a third of today’s college students are adults over the age 25 who’ve gone back to school after a break.
College is now more accessible than ever, thanks to education innovations such as online learning,bridge programs, andaccelerated degrees. These options make fitting education into busy work and home-life schedules more manageable.
One way to ease back into education is bytesting out of prerequisite courses. Adult students can bypass foundational classes in subjects such as math, history, writing, and more by taking a proficiency test. This method earns the same college credits in significantly less time, creating a gentler reintroduction to education.
A college degree will benefit you by allowing you to:
- Earn More.According to the Pew Research Center, a college graduate can expect to earn more than 73% more than a high school graduate over their work career.
- Have More Self-Confidence. Just by seeing it through, you have proven to yourself, family, and possible employers that you have what it takes to take on and finish tasks. Employers see a degree as a sign that you know how to succeed. Studies show that the more education you have, the better you take care of yourself, the healthier you eat, and the better you can handle daily stress.
- Be Less Likely to Be Unemployed. College graduates are 50%less likely to be unemployed and periods of unemployment will be less than those that don’t graduate. Getting a degree shows employers that you are serious about your career, and that you can follow through on commitments, making you a desirable employee.
- Be a Positive Role Model. By getting your degree, you are emphasizing the importance of education. The children ofparents with college degreesare more likely to be successful in education as well.
- Be Better Equipped to Compete. More and more employers are requiring college degrees. While the demand for college graduates increases, the number obtaining those degrees is not significantly increasing. Having a degree gives you an edge over job seekers who do not.
- More Easily Switch Fields. Should you decide to change careers, having a degree, even in a different field, gives you an advantage. Much of the knowledge and college credit gained previously can be applied to anew field or degree.
- Have More Security and a Better Lifestyle. Those with higher levels of education typically have better job security, and more opportunity for promotion. With that stability and the higher pay, your lifestyle will change.
- Be Better Prepared for a Global Economy. With outsourcing, cloud based enterprises, and worldwide job markets, you could be competing with job seekers from around the world. Your degree helps you compete.
- Be More Flexible.A college degree opens up more opportunities, even in fields that aren’t in your major.
- Improve Discipline and Develop Strong Character.Obtaining a degree takes discipline and a will to succeed. By getting your degree, you overcome procrastination and learn to do what it takes to reach your goal.
How can you make it easier to get your degree?
To finish your education, you'll need to find solutions that fit your needs. Working adults in particular are often more successful when they find programs with flexible schedules and manageable workloads. Achieve Test Prep is based on thecredit-by-exam methodwhich allows students totest out of college courseswhile earning the same credits. This system empowers you to pass college courses with less stress, working toward your goals without sacrificing work/life balance.
Is now the right time to finish your education? If you're looking for realistic solutions,Achieve Test Prepcan provide the support you're looking for. Connect with our team to learn more.
FAQs
Pursuing a college education also expands your access to opportunities by connecting you to a lifelong network of colleagues, advisors, professors, and mentors. Over the course of your career, this network can open doors and connect you to industry leaders with whom you can share ideas and explore new ventures.
How does getting a degree impact your life? ›
College graduates are half as likely to be unemployed as their peers who only have a high school degree. Typical earnings for bachelor's degree holders are $40,500 or 86 percent higher than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma. College graduates on average make $1.2 million more over their lifetime.
How will a degree help me achieve my goals? ›
As a college graduate, you'll have developed the necessary research, critical analysis, and writing skills that are necessary in all disciplines. Yes, even STEM majors need to have these skills that will help to put a precise aim to your career goals.
How will earning a degree help you achieve your dreams? ›
A college degree opens up more opportunities, even in fields that aren't in your major. Improve Discipline and Develop Strong Character. Obtaining a degree takes discipline and a will to succeed. By getting your degree, you overcome procrastination and learn to do what it takes to reach your goal.
How does college prepare you for the real world? ›
A well-rounded education can help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful. Higher education can provide students with opportunities to explore different fields of study and gain real-world experience. They can help equip students with the skills employers need now and in the future.
How can we change the degree? ›
- There are 2 ways that you can. change “large” to the. comparative degree:
- •Add “er” to the end of the word. •Add “more” to the front of the word.
- There are 2 ways that you can. change “large” to the superlative. degree:
- •Add “est” to the end of the word. •Add “most” to the front of the word.
Graduates are more likely to gain skilled employment, achieve food security, and live longer, healthier lives.
How does college help you grow as a person? ›
College graduates have increased levels of academic and social self- concept and self-esteem. and strengthen self-efficacy and self-confidence, particularly in situations where they must communicate with others and learn new information and skills.
How can going to college benefit you personally? ›
College also helps you discover or fine-tune your values, beliefs, and goals. As you meet people, learn new course material in your classes, and have new experiences, you learn more about yourself and what you stand for and discover new interests.
How will a degree benefit me? ›
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with higher levels of education “typically earn more and have lower rates of unemployment compared with workers who have less education.” Over a lifetime, reports show that college graduates will make 84 percent more than those with a high school diploma.
College graduates get higher-quality jobs
Among full-time workers, college graduates are more likely to have jobs that offer paid vacation, health insurance, retirement, and flexible work arrangements. These forms of non-wage compensation help provide greater financial stability and security over the long run.
What is your motivation for completing a degree? ›
The benefits of getting a college degree are very numerous indeed, and college education is a great investment in your life. You will gain more money, a bigger knowledge base, job security and satisfaction, and the ability to withstand tough times. And all these factors will give you a secure future.
How will earning a degree change my life? ›
College graduates reap the benefits of their hard work by being exposed to new and exciting job opportunities, better paying careers, and higher-skilled careers which, according to research, can lead to greater happiness and stability in life. Continue reading to learn what makes earning a college degree worthwhile.
What impact will a degree have on your life or your community? ›
Through volunteer work, leadership, and philanthropic contributions, public university graduates enrich the civic and economic life of their communities. They also contribute more in taxes and are less reliant on government services than their peers whose highest degree is a high school diploma.
How does college change your life? ›
“My college experience helped me develop a sense of 'self' and where I fit in time, place and culture. It inspired me and gave me the confidence to try new things (such as activities, travel, friendships).
Does having a degree make you happier? ›
A Gallup poll conducted this past summer found that confidence in higher education stood at just 36%, a sharp drop from 2018 (48%) and 2015 (57%). At the same time, there is robust evidence that people with college degrees are, on average, happier, healthier and more prosperous than those with less education.
Why getting a degree is worth it? ›
Why is college worth it? There are many positives to attending college: higher wages, stronger recession resilience, lower unemployment rates, the list goes on. Plus, many employers require or prefer a college degree for many professional roles.
How valuable is your degree? ›
Over a lifetime, data shows that individuals with college degrees earn about $1.2 million more than those with only a high school diploma. Given the significant difference in earnings between both groups mentioned above, a college degree is well worth it.
Does it make a difference where you get your degree? ›
The “Right” Degree Matters More in Some Industries Than Others. Because some schools are known for specific program offerings, having them on your resume when you're entering into a specific field can give you a leg up.
