Returning to school as a mature student

If you’re determined that going back to school is something you’d like to do, it’s time to figure out where you’d like to go to school and what program you’ll enroll in. It’s also important to think about your finances and flexibility. 

Whatever your reason is for going back to school as a mature student, here are three considerations that will help you make the right choice.

What will you study? 

If you’re returning to school as a mature student then you know how competitive the workforce can be. It's important to choose a college that will help you achieve your career goals by ensuring you reenter the workforce with the skills to succeed in your chosen field. CDI College in Toronto, for example, offers a wide range of courses designed to meet the needs of the business, technology, and healthcare industries in both the local and national job markets. Similarly, Reeves College courses focus on professional development based on input from professionals in business, healthcare, art and design, and legal studies. By enrolling in courses at either of these schools, you’re guaranteed to graduate with skills that are currently in demand by real employers. 

How will you pay for college?

No doubt about it, college can be expensive. Fortunately, there are a number of sources that can help you pay for post-secondary education, including OSAP funding in the form of low-interest student loans and grants -- even for mature students. If you don’t qualify for student loans, you may consider asking the bank for assistance. In fact, several banks offer loans that are tailor-made for post-secondary students. Additionally, you might be able to apply for a scholarship. To help students with the cost of their education, Reeves College regularly offers scholarships for many of its programs. If you’re considering studying at CDI College, speak to your campus admissions representative about bursaries that are available for select programs.

Fulltime, part-time, in-class or online?

Going back to school doesn't mean the same thing for everyone — this is especially true for mature students. Some mature students have the ability to attend classes full-time, on campus, while others may have to choose a part-time program to accommodate their work schedule and family responsibilities. Night, weekend or online classes, now offered through many colleges in Canada, provide even more flexibility to students. While completing your studies full-time may allow you to finish faster and get back to full-time work, it's important to think about balance and how other areas of your life will be affected by a full course load. At CDI College in Toronto and Reeves College, you’ll find a variety of online courses, some of which you can start today from the comfort of your own home. Additionally, both colleges offer accelerated training programs, many of which can be completed in a year or less.