Should I go to university?

Question

I am 26, and live in Ontario, Canada. Currently I work as an admin assistant and make about 32,000. As my salary isn't ideal, i was thinking that maybe I should go to university. Does anyone have any advice on how I can afford to do this? My income is low enough that I should qualify for OSAP, but what should I do about where to live, and should i get a car? Has anyone else decided to go back to school at 26? Will I be the old person in the class? Any and every advise is helpful! Thanks.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on some high paying careers that don't require 10 plus years of education? I thought about being a teacher (I know they only make about 50,000) but that will still mean 5 years of school.

Answer 1

Whether or not you'll need a car depends on where you go to school and where you end up living. I purposefully tried to find schools where I wouldn't need a car - schools in towns with good public transit were a must for me. Likewise, if you live on or near campus, you may not need a car even if public transit isn't great.

In terms of where to live, start first by looking at schools local to where you are now. You may not need to move. But if you do decide to move, most students save money by either staying in the residence halls (many universities have specific buildings or floors for older students), in university housing, or in apartment shares. The schools you look at should have a housing office which can explain what they can do to help you. Having a roomate can kind of... but it can save you a lot of money.

In the US, students take out loans to cover the cost of their education. This cost is calculated to include the cost of living.

You won't be the oldest person in the class - not by far. In many of the classes I teach, you'd be one of the younger students. And older students have a way of finding each other and becoming friends. You'll be surprised at how many older students you see on campus. In fact, a lot of schools now actively recruit older students. There will likely be clubs and organisations and advisors specifically geared towards non-traditional-aged students.

There are high paying careers that don't require years and years of education. In fact, there are even lucrative careers which you only need an Associates degree for (nursing, plumbing, welding, electrical, EMT, police, paramedic, turfgrass management, funeral home director, etc.)

In general, you stand a better chance of getting a job right after graduation if you major in a field directly related to a profession. So, no to psychology, but yes to nursing. You can also look into information technology, teaching (which you mentioned), accounting, engineering, computer science, hotel restaurant and travel administration, occupational therapy, and social work. You can also do well as a liberal arts or business major, so long as you come out with good communication and computer skills. I also suggest, no matter what the major, that you do internships, coops, or volunteer work in your field before you graduate. This will make you more employable.

There are a lot of options, and the one you pick is based on your personal interests.

You can go to school part-time, but to be honest, it will be easier make a career switch from admin asst to something else if you quit your job and go to school full time. Otherwise, you may simply end up as office manager, and from what you're saying, I'm not sure that's what you want.

Know that, when you graduate, you may get a job at your current salary or only a bit higher. The difference is your salary potential for the future.

Try to get into the best reputed university that you can. Avoid schools like U Phoenix, Devry, ITT, Strayer, etc., which don't have strong reputations with employers. Go to a university with a decent rep for their brick and mortar campus.

Answer 2

I don't know how they do things in Canada, however in the States we have what's called the FAFSA which is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is a way to get government subsidized loans for your education regardless of education level. The government will of course not pay for your every expense so you will probably have what's called an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). You can put up to 6 schools (I would recommend one of which being a community college) to have your financial information sent to. The schools will send back how much of the costs they will consider for you. Negotiate your financial package with the school, not the department of education and the one that has the most give, is the school that you go to. I also recommend going full-time and living on campus as well since it gives you the most the college or university has to offer.

Answer 3

Anything worth doing takes time, and don't worry about being the oldest one there ( you wont be ) you are there to better yourself and people always respect that.
Don't think about what profession will pay the most think about what you would like to do. Waking up every morning and feeling good about what you do actually looking forward to going to work is something most people strive for but never achieve.
If you are serious about going to school live relatively close,find a roommate,take the bus. It may be a struggle at first but it will soon all become routine and the benefits are outstanding.
It does not matter if it takes 5,6 or 7 yrs. to achieve your goals,you are still young.People in there 40's are going back to school so if they can why cant you?
I know you are probably scared,going back to school is scary but after a month you will say.....Why did I wait so long..
Well I hope this helps and I wish you all the best

Answer 4

get a job.. save up money and possibly live upstairs so my parents cannot force me to do anything since im paying my own rent etc.. we live in a big house full of family members only thus no conflict between anyonein the house. this house has idk maybe 20 bedroom it's 2 stories 6 car garage 8 if you count the side of the house. etc.. and plus we own the house so realy i rather keep it in the family then anything else especially since it's in town and easy access anywhere. i am studying culinary arts. im still trying to just finish up my pre reqs first though i should be done with all my pre reqs this year and some of my culinary courses. but my pre reqs are the one thing i hate atm. culinary classes are more hands on then anything and funner then simple old math etc.. i have already finished my english courses and just need Math, Science, and Speech. the rest are all culinary courses and recquire a uniform everyday which is also the main reason why i want to only take culinary courses all at one rather then going in a uniform all day.

Answer 5

My feeling about going back to school is this:

No matter what you do - you are going ot get older so why not just go and do it.

I do not know about Canada but most universities are set up to help students of all ages and all walks of life - although you may not identifiy with some of the 18 year students you will be just fine.

Have you thought about going nights or doing online classes. This way you keep your income and still get and education.

Good Luck

Answer 6

Yes i think you should. Education is very important, no matter how old you are you should continue to learn.

You go to the bank and get a loan approved. You pay college through your bank, when you graduate you get a higher paying job to pay off your loans.