Some College, No Degree? How to Go Back to School

Are you thinking of returning to college? It can be both an intimidating and exciting prospect. The good news is that admission counselors are in place to help throughout the process, answer early-stage questions, guide you through applying and prepare you for enrollment.

Whether you’re still deciding or ready to apply, it's important to know that you don't have to get started alone.

How Do I Start Going Back to School?

Here are 6 questions to get you started.

Is It Too Late to Go Back to School?

It’s never too late to go back to college. No matter your age or stage in life, you can still benefit from returning to college if it’s something you want to do.

While attending community college, Demetria Garduno '24 met her husband and they soon started a family. After working on her degree off and on, she ultimately decided to pause her studies to focus on being a mom.

But, in 2021, Garduno realized she was ready to go back to school. “I decided that I wanted to put time and effort and focus into myself,” she said.

So, she enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) to earn a bachelor's in healthcare administration with a concentration in patient safety — and was able to transfer in credits she earned at the community college.

Garduno said she chose SNHU because the online program offered shorter terms, which fit her responsibilities as a mom. The admission counselors she spoke to were also encouraging about going back to college after time off, she noted.

Now, as the first in her family with a college degree, she hopes to inspire those around her. “No matter how long it takes (to get a degree), you can still earn it at any time,” she said. “Time is not a barrier.”

Learn more about online degree completion programs so you can finish what you started, too.

What Are My Motivations for Returning to School?

Figuring out your motivations can help you decide what to major in and what school to attend. They can also help keep you on track on your way to a diploma.

Many people go back to school because they want to change careers or advance in their current field, said James Patterson, an admission counselor at SNHU.

You might have similar reasons, or maybe you want to set an example for your family — or simply enjoy learning and want to expand your knowledge on a certain topic.

Patterson said he has conversations with potential students about why they’re interested in the major they’re considering and what they want to do with their degree.

“Everybody kind of has their own reason,” he said. He noted that knowing your reason for returning to school can play a big role in your educational journey.

For example, if you enjoy telling stories or want to work as a writer or editor, you might pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English or Creative Writing. Maybe college has been a many-years-long goal, or you want to be the first in your family with a degree.

Whatever the reason, it may prove motivational as you continue toward your goal.

How Can I Fit School into My Life?

After you've figured out your “why,” the next step is to take a look at your current situation to assess how college might fit into it.

It might be difficult to see how you can fit college into your schedule, especially if you’re working, caring for family or managing other responsibilities.

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, though. You could try taking a lighter course load or attending an online degree program for working adults.

If you're taking one class at a time at SNHU, you can expect to dedicate about 13 hours per week to your undergraduate studies, according to Dr. Pamela Varhol, a senior associate dean of health professions at the university. A full course load — or two courses — will take longer.

While there are regular Thursday and Sunday deadlines to keep you on track, the classes are asynchronous, which means you can build a schedule each week that works for you.

Varhol suggested a few strategies for success:

• Build a one-week cushion whenever possible by working ahead
• Identify "go-to" resources before problems arise, including your instructor, advisor, tutoring services, library resources, technical support and accessibility services
• Review the course announcements and syllabus every Monday and put all discussion, assignment and exam due dates in a calendar
• Schedule study time as a non-negotiable appointment with yourself
• Use short blocks of time during lunch breaks or commutes (if not driving) to review notes or listen to course-related content

How Will I Afford College?

It’s also important to consider your financial situation. Seeing if you qualify for financial aid by applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may help you fund your education.

“FAFSA can come in the form of loans or even grants, as an example,” said Maryann Michaud, an admission counselor at SNHU.

To learn more about how financial aid works, Michaud recommended reaching out to the Student Financial Services office at the schools you consider. Their finance counselors can help you with the process and answer questions you might have.

If you're already a member of the workforce, your employer may offer tuition benefits, such as tuition reimbursement, that you can use to help pay for your degree.

Some colleges are more affordable than others, so it's important to do your research.

How Do I Choose a College?

After you’ve examined your current situation, you can explore which colleges offer options that work best for you. You might research schools based on:

• Accreditation: Researching what accreditations a college has can help you narrow your search. An accredited school has undergone review to ensure its programs meet certain quality standards. Patterson said he goes over program accreditations with those interested in attending SNHU.
• Cost: Education is an investment, and it’s important to find a college that offers a tuition rate and financial aid package that works for you.
• Location: If you prefer face-to-face learning, find a campus that offers what you want from a traditional college experience. Be sure to consider how far away it is to make sure you can fit the commute into your schedule along with your classes.
• Programs: Knowing why exactly you want to go back to college can help you choose a major or a field you want to pursue. This can help you choose a school that offers the degree and subjects you want to study.
• Student life: Whether you’re interested in learning on a campus or online, you might research the student life at an institution. Many schools that offer online programs also have clubs and organizations that meet virtually, so you can still get involved as an online student and socialize with other students.

Do I Have Transfer Credits?

If you've taken college classes before, you may have transfer credits. Every class you successfully complete is worth a certain number of credits. A transfer-friendly college will evaluate your prior coursework to determine which credits fit into a program at their school.

Your transfer credits might fulfill some of your general education requirements or free elective spaces, for instance.

At SNHU, you may be eligible to transfer up to 90 credits toward a 120-credit bachelor's program, or up to 45 credits toward a 60-credit associate degree. Find out how many of your credits will transfer into a program in 3 easy steps:

1. Complete the free 5-minute online application. There’s no obligation after filling it out.
2. Get your transcripts requested — for free. Chat with an admission counselor to have your transcripts requested on your behalf.
3. Receive your free evaluation. Soon after all your transcripts are in, you'll get your official evaluation. It will show you what was transferred in and which credits you need to graduate.

You might be able to earn college credit for work experience, industry-specific credentials and professional certifications, too.

Here to Help

If you have questions about going back to school, admission counselors at the university you're interested in should be able to answer them. "Providing that support is one of the core focuses of being an admission counselor here," said Michaud.

Read more about the student support services available at universities like SNHU.

What is the Shortest Bachelor’s Degree to Get?

A general studies degree can be a good choice for people with a lot of existing credits. That's because the program has a lot of free elective space that your previously earned credits could be applied toward. According to Varhol, this means you may be able to reduce credit loss and reach graduation day sooner.

"General studies programs are frequently designed as degree-completion pathways that allow students to build on prior academic work while developing broadly applicable skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership and interdisciplinary thinking," she said.

It's important to note that a general studies degree might not be the best program option for you if the job you want has specific educational requirements.

If you're wondering how else you can get a bachelor's degree faster, you might be able to test out of courses or get credit for certain experiences — in addition to having your transfer credits evaluated.

What Does the Admission Process Look Like?

When you’ve decided on a school you’d like to attend, the next step is the admission process. Before you submit your college application, make sure to check deadlines. Michaud recommended applying as early as possible.

Colleges may request items such as transcripts, letters of recommendation or test scores. It can be helpful to have all the materials you need available before you reach out, said Michaud.

If you’re unsure what you might need or have any questions about the process, many schools have a team of admission counselors who can guide you through the process.

How Do I Balance School With the Rest of My Life?

Once you’ve received an acceptance letter, it’s important to make a plan to fit your education in among your other responsibilities. This is a great time to consider things such as time management and work-life balance.

“Going back to school can be a daunting task,” said Dylan Talbot, an admission team lead at SNHU. “Students need to get familiar with what to expect and how starting courses works.”

An admission counselor may be able to point you in the direction of relevant resources that can help you brush up on study skills, learn required software or connect with other students.

Time management tools can help you stay on top of academic deadlines as well as events in your personal life.

Using your phone’s calendar to keep track of assignments or due dates can be helpful, said Michaud. Some other options you might consider include Google Calendar, Notion or a physical planner.

While your education is important, so is taking care of yourself and ensuring your personal needs are met.

“Be intentional and proactive,” said Talbot. “You have to set aside time for school and factor in time for yourself as well.”

At SNHU, you can access your classes two weeks before the term starts. "It's a great idea to log in (and) get used to the platform," said Patterson. Getting a head start on your assignments can be helpful, just in case something comes up in your personal life.

If you begin to feel overwhelmed after you start classes, reach out to your instructor or academic advisor for support and resources.

Is It Worth It to Go Back to College?

It was for Amber Bowman '25. With two kids about to graduate from high school, she was motivated to finish her college degree first.

"I wanted to show my children that, no matter what, you can do it, too," she said.

Although it had been years since Bowman first started college, she said she was able to transfer credits into SNHU's online program.

"I had a lot of credits — just couldn't pinpoint what I wanted to do," Bowman said.

Ultimately, she followed her credits. Many of them transferred into an associate degree in liberal arts.

But she didn't stop there. Bowman built on her credits and her associate degree to earn a bachelor's in general studies, too. To supplement her transfer credits, she said she also took low-cost courses through Sophia Learning.

After finishing her programs with honors, Bowman's kids decorated her graduation cap, and the family hit the road together. They traveled from Maryland to New Hampshire to attend her commencement ceremony in person.

This trip was important for her to take, she said, because she wanted to send her kids a message. "Even if it takes you 30 years, you, too, can graduate college," Bowman said.

From the time she was a child, Ashleigh Worley '22 found inspiration between the pages of books. Before long, she fell in love with telling stories herself. That love followed her into adulthood, leading her to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Today, Worley is a writer at SNHU, where she's pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. When she's not writing, she's usually enjoying time with her dad and her abundance of cats. Connect with her on LinkedIn.