Are you thinking about going back to school? Here are a few suggestions that may help you make up your mind.

• Does your employer have tuition reimbursement as an employee benefit? This is one of the most underutilized benefits used by workers. Use it to your advantage. Some companies pay 100% of the cost, some a fixed percentage. Most require a certain grade, usually C or better, for reimbursement. Many companies ask that the course (or degree) be job-related?in other words, something that will help you do better in your present position. These are important details to check before you sign up.
• Is your family willing to support your efforts? To do your best, you need to have the backing of the people closest to you. If they know this is an important goal to you, they are more likely to pitch in and help with dinner, watching kids, or being quiet while you do homework on weekends. Get their commitment before you begin a program. Getting it in writing isn't a bad idea, either. It's a great, gentle reminder for when they conveniently forget.
• Are you ready to forego some spring days working or playing outside to work on papers or finish readings? It's a short-term trade-off that has long-term implications for you and all your family members. It also sets a good example for other students in your family, like your children.
• Is your employer going to back you? Can you use the department computer at work to draft a paper? If you have free time on the job, is it okay to study? Or must this be a before- or after- work excursion? How about working through lunch hours to finish an assignment? Will this be acceptable? Or must you perform all student functions on your own time?
• Are you absolutely positive that you will give the course/program the time and effort it takes to do your best? Most courses will not refund tuition after a certain point in the semester. Be sure that you are committed to completing everything that you start.
• Is your life in balance enough that you can give schoolwork your undivided attention? If not, perhaps you should delay enrolling for a better time (but knowing full well that there is no perfect time!).
• If you're thinking, "But in four years, I'll be 55?" then ask yourself, "How old will you be in four years anyway and without the credentials?" Look upon this as an adventure and an investment in your family's future.


• If you're wondering, "Will this really help me do my job any better?", the answer is a definite YES! You will never be the same person after you expand your learning base. People will look at you differently and you'll even look at yourself in a new way. Besides the content you'll gain, you'll meet some interesting colleagues, shake up your reasoning skills, garner insight from others' experiences, and extend your frame of reference. Learning doesn't have to be immediately applicable (although that's nice) to be beneficial. Like a rubber band, once you've stretched yourself, you'll never be the same again; you'll be better!