July 18, 2013 | Quebec

Before Going Back to School, Take Time to Think About Your Goals

Going back to school as an adult can be motivated by many different goals: changing careers, developing new skills, pursuing an occupation that interests you more, improving your career prospects, or returning to an educational goal you previously put aside.

There is also no specific age at which it is “too late” to pursue training. In Quebec, different educational pathways are available to adults pursuing personal, educational, or professional goals, whether they want to develop skills, earn a diploma or qualification, improve their employment situation, or move into another field.

But there is a significant difference between thinking about going back to school and deciding to enrol in a program. Returning to school requires an investment of time, energy, and money. Before choosing a program, it is worth taking the time to understand what you actually want to accomplish.

Start by Defining Why You Want to Go Back to School

The first question is probably the most important: why do you want to go back to school?

Your goal might be to:

• move into a new field;
• develop the skills required for a specific occupation;
• update or broaden your skills;
• improve your career opportunities;
• return to studies you previously interrupted;
• earn a qualification;
• take your career in a new direction.

There is no inherently wrong motivation. What matters is establishing a clear enough connection between your goal and the training you are considering.

If your main motivation is dissatisfaction with your current work situation, for example, take the time to identify what is causing it. Is it the occupation itself? Your industry? Your work environment? Your current responsibilities? Your opportunities for advancement?

Thinking through these questions can help you avoid choosing a training program before you have clearly identified the problem you are trying to solve.

Do You Need More Training to Reach Your Goal?

Going back to school can be an effective way to advance your career, but additional training is not necessarily the answer to every professional goal.

If you already have an occupation in mind, research what is typically required to enter the field. What level of education is usually expected? What skills do you need? Is a particular qualification required?

This research can help you determine whether going back to school is necessary and, more importantly, what type of training actually fits the career path you are considering.

Different educational pathways are available to adults in Quebec, including vocational and college-level training. Attestations of College Studies (ACS), for example, are shorter technical college programs designed to prepare students for employment.

Before enrolling, examine the program's curriculum and the skills it is designed to develop rather than focusing only on its title.

Does the Field Really Match Your Interests?

An occupation can seem appealing from the outside without necessarily matching what you would enjoy doing every day.

Take time to learn about the tasks associated with the occupations that interest you, the environments in which people work, and the skills employers look for.

Also, think about what you enjoy doing.

Do you prefer working with people or technology? Solving problems? Organizing? Creating? Analyzing? Supporting others? Communicating? Working in a highly structured environment or one where situations frequently change?

These questions cannot determine your career choice on their own, but they can help you rule out some possibilities and explore others more seriously.

Have You Looked at the Career Outlook?

Personal interest matters, but it can also be useful to consider the realities of the labour market.

Before choosing a program, research the occupations it can lead to and their employment outlook. The Government of Quebec provides information that can help you explore occupations and the training generally required to enter them.

That does not mean you should choose a program based solely on the job market.

Instead, the goal is to make your decision with a more complete picture in mind: what interests you, the skills you need to develop, and the career opportunities associated with the field you are considering.

How Will School Fit Into Your Current Life?

For an adult, going back to school often means adding another responsibility to an already busy schedule.

Work, family, commuting, personal obligations, and school may all need to coexist. Before making your decision, realistically assess how much time you can devote to your training.

Ask yourself:

• What will my schedule look like?
• How much time will I need for classes and studying outside class?
• Will I need to change my work schedule?
• How will I organize my family responsibilities?
• Will I have enough time to study?
• Who can I rely on when my schedule becomes particularly busy?

The Government of Quebec also notes that meeting the requirements of a training program calls for organization, independence, and effective time management.

These considerations do not necessarily need to discourage you. Instead, they can help turn a general intention into a realistic plan.

Have You Considered the Financial Impact?

The cost of going back to school may involve more than tuition.

You may also need to consider materials, transportation, and the financial impact of potentially reducing your work hours.

Preparing a budget before making your decision can give you a clearer picture of what the plan will actually involve.

It is also important to investigate any financial assistance you may be eligible for. Quebec's Loans and Bursaries Program is available, under certain conditions, to students in vocational training as well as college and university students whose financial resources are insufficient.

It is better to look into these questions before enrolling than to discover partway through your training that certain expenses were underestimated.

Is Your Support System Ready for the Change?

Going back to school is a personal decision, but the people around you may also feel the effects of that decision.

If you have a spouse, children, or other family responsibilities, discuss your plans with them. Some routines may need to change, and certain responsibilities may need to be redistributed.

Having support does not mean that the people around you should decide for you. It simply means making sure that the practical consequences of the change have been considered.

Quebec government resources on returning to education also recognize the role that family and other people in your life can play during this transition.

What If You Still Have Doubts?

Having doubts does not necessarily mean your plan is a bad one.

Changing fields or returning to school after several years can raise many questions: Will I be able to study again? Have I chosen the right field? Will I be able to balance all my responsibilities? Is this really the right time?

Rather than trying to eliminate every uncertainty, focus on finding the information you are missing.

Compare programs. Review their courses. Research the occupations they prepare students for. Check admission requirements. Assess your financial situation and availability. Talk to people who are familiar with the field you are considering.

Resources are also available in Quebec to help adults define and plan a return to education based on their needs.

The more concrete your plan becomes, the better equipped you will be to determine whether it is right for you.

A Decision That Should Start With Your Goals

Going back to school can help you develop new skills, change fields, or take your career in a new direction. But training is not an end in itself: it should serve a goal you have taken the time to define.

Before choosing a program, think about what you want to change, the occupation or field that interests you, the skills you will need, and how school can realistically fit into your life.

Once you have made the decision, another step begins: preparing yourself to become a student again.

FAQ

1. How can you tell if going back to school is the right decision?
Start by defining your goal. Then determine whether training is necessary to reach it, whether the field you are considering genuinely matches your interests, and whether the plan fits your personal and financial situation.

2. Is it ever too late to go back to school as an adult?
Different educational pathways are available to adults in Quebec, including vocational and college-level training. The right option depends primarily on your goals, admission requirements, and the type of training you are considering.

3. Do you need to know exactly what career you want before going back to school?
Not necessarily. However, it is a good idea to explore your interests and potential career paths enough to choose training that supports a realistic goal.

4. How should you choose a program when changing careers?
Start by researching the occupation or field you are considering, then determine which skills and training are generally required. You can then compare programs based on their curriculum, admission requirements, and the skills they are designed to develop.

5. How can you tell if you will be able to balance school with your personal life?
Take a realistic look at your schedule, professional and family responsibilities, and the time you will need for classes and studying. It can also be helpful to discuss any necessary changes in advance with the people who may be affected.

Explore Further

👉 How to Successfully Complete Your Training in Quebec: What You Should Know

👉 How to Succeed in College or Vocational Training

👉 Starting Your Training Strong: Building a Solid Foundation From the First Few Weeks

👉 Working While Studying: How Can You Make the Most of Your Work Experience?