Given current economic conditions, it's no surprise that many people are considering going back to college either to pursue a more advanced degree in their field or to change fields altogether.

There is a process you can follow to be smart about returning to college. The first thing to do is spend more time thinking about your interests than you do thinking about money. That sounds counterintuitive, but returning to college has to be about more than chasing a paycheck. It's been said that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. So finding and following your passion is time well spent.

Seth Saunders, president of South University in Virginia Beach, offers the following advice. "Enrolling in college should not be a decision entered into lightly. Too often, people begin college only to drop out later. College represents a significant investment in time and money, so start wisely, and conduct a thorough self-assessment."

If you are not sure where your passion would take you, let alone what it may be, then sit down with pen and paper and make a list of the following: things you like to do in your free time, different talents or skills that come easily to you, people whom you admire, subject areas and classes you enjoyed while growing up, topics you relish reading about and people you prefer to be around. The answers you provide to these questions will sharpen your focus. For a small fee, you can take the Myers-Briggs Assessment online and have the results analyzed to ensure that your interests are in line with your personality.

After you have identified a career path that not only uses some of your strengths but also engages you in the type of activity and thinking that you most enjoy, meet and interview people currently working in that field. In some cases, they may let you shadow someone in their business. As you evaluate your options, consider both the positive and the less attractive aspects of the desired industry. For instance, if you like helping people, you might be inclined toward healthcare, but think about how you will respond to sick or sad people on a daily basis.

Finally, it's important to determine what you are willing to sacrifice in order to return to college. So ask yourself: Can I devote the time and energy necessary to be a successful college student? Will I set priorities, budget my time and money and impose discipline in my life?

"It can be overwhelming at first, but once you establish a routine, with ample time to prepare for and attend classes, this new regimen will become second nature, and the organizational skills you gain through higher education will serve you well in your career," says Saunders.

South University is certified by SCHEV to operate in Virginia.

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