If you’re thinking of going back to school as a mature student — congratulations! For adult learners, returning to higher education presents a novel opportunity to enrich your life with new skills, new people and new ways of thinking.
And yet, the thought of stepping back into a classroom might feel intimidating, especially if it’s been decades since your last lecture or even spirited class discussion. But whether you’re aiming to pivot your career, sharpen your mind, or simply pick up a new skill, there’s plenty to gain from higher education. If you need convincing, here are 6 cognitive and social benefits of returning to higher education as an adult.
1. Expanding Your Professional Network
What’s the benefit of attending any prestigious college or university? On top of receiving a quality education, you also have an abundance of networking opportunities. Returning to higher education is a great opportunity to expand your network with professors, lecturers, people in the industry and like-minded students.
Making these professional connections introduces great networking possibilities for job offers, collaboration prospects and mentorship. Professors in particular can be a wealth of knowledge with their insights into industry trends. Fellow students and peers can become lifelong friends, providing support, advice, and opportunities for growth.
The best way to solidify these network connections is simply by engaging with the people you’d like to grow with. Attend those seminars and conferences, go visit your professor during office hours, and most importantly – be just as much a resource for your peers as they are for you. Revise together, test each other, collaborate on group projects, and collate your notes to make sure you all have learning resources you can continue to utilise after graduation. Using shared cloud folders or even merging PDF files to collate notes or prepare group projects can be a great way to not only pass your courses as a collective and equip you all with valuable learning materials, but also establish yourself as a strong and community-oriented figure in your student network.
2. Learning New Skills
One of the most obvious benefits of returning to higher education is, well, learning new things. Adult learners have the chance to use technology that might not have existed when you were last in the classroom — whether it’s learning how to work with complex software or even picking up a bit of basic coding. Having these skills can be super beneficial since the job market highly values those proficient in tech.
Beyond new tech skills, returning to higher education can also help adults develop their communication skills, critical thinking ability and problem solving. Group projects will improve your ability to collaborate, and research papers will train you in analytical thinking as well as paying attention to detail.
More importantly, regardless of your age, learning boosts your confidence and self-esteem. You’ll be able to tackle both your work and personal life with fresh enthusiasm when you acquire new skills you can put to use.
3. Enhancing Your Cognitive Function
Going back to school as an adult can also provide meaningful cognitive benefits. Engaging in academic activities stimulates your brain, which in turn encourages it to create new neural pathways and solidify old ones. This kind of mental exercise keeps your brain sharp, and improves your memory, attention span, and processing speed.
Research has shown that lifelong learning can reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Just as regular exercise strengthens the body, learning new subjects and challenging oneself with complex materials is like giving your brain a workout.
On top of that, learning new information and skills can increase your creativity. Diving into unique perspectives motivates one to think outside the box. From class sessions to solo projects, this creativity boost can help you think up innovative solutions to real-world problems.
4. Providing A Sense of Accomplishment
Going back to school as an adult can be challenging, there’s no doubt about that. But it can also be an immensely rewarding experience. The sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a degree or program is profound and can really have a significant positive impact on your mental and emotional health, at any age.
Actually putting your mind to something and achieving your academic goals is a great way to smash through limiting beliefs, and serves as a tangible reminder of your capabilities and resilience.
The sense of achievement gained from completing a course is second to none, especially if it’s something you’ve been wanting or working towards for years. This sense of fulfilment can enhance your overall well-being and happiness, making the effort and challenges worthwhile.
5. Promoting Life-Long Learning
Just like starting a new series can have you hooked from the first episode, returning to higher education can spark a lifelong love of learning. Remember when everyone went a bit sourdough-crazy during lockdown? Reignite that passion and channel it into something more productive when you activate lifelong learning.
Returning to school will probably make you interested in things that never appealed to you before. This curiosity can lead to exploring new degrees, attending webinars, or even picking up a new hobby like playing the guitar or learning a new language. The more you learn, the more there is to discover.
In our fast-paced world, staying adaptable keeps you a step ahead. Whether it’s keeping up with the latest tech trends or simply enriching your personal life, lifelong learning ensures you stay relevant and inspired. So, just like binge-watching your favourite show, let the joy of learning take you on an endless adventure.
6. Strengthening Social Connections
Returning to higher education is a great way to strengthen your social connections. You’ll meet classmates, professors and an entire academic community that will give you a sense of belonging. As we get older, it becomes harder to meet new people organically – if you want to widen your social circle, this is a perfect opportunity!
These connections and friendships will offer emotional support, motivation, and different perspectives to further enrich your learning experience. Group projects, study sessions, and social events foster camaraderie and teamwork, making your educational journey that bit more enjoyable. Plus, the friendships and networks you build can last long after graduation, offering support and opportunities in your personal and professional life.
To really take advantage of all the social opportunities that are presented to you, we highly recommend forming your own personal study group or even just making a habit of revising with one or two trusted classmates. Finding fun ways to learn and revise can help you not only ace all your final assessments and retain more class content in the long-term, but can also help you form lasting relationships with like-minded peers who are entering the workforce or embarking on a new career pathway right alongside you.
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Returning to higher education isn’t just about obtaining a degree or certificate — it’s a transformative journey that will enhance your life in more ways than one. It’s about tackling new challenges, unearthing your talents and making lasting friendships. If you want to master a new skill set, expand your network, or simply re-discover your love for learning, personal growth is right around the corner.