Getting a degree to continue your education can offer you a lifetime of experience and credentials. Ask yourself these eight questions before jumping into school again:

1. Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement as an employee benefit? This is a great perk that is not often used by workers. Use it to your advantage. Some companies pay 100% of the cost, others dole out a fixed percentage. Most require a certain grade, usually a 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 on before you sign up.

2. Are you ready to forego lots of sunny days of enjoyment and fun to work on papers or finish readings? It's a short-term trade-off that has long-term implications.

3. Are your friends, family or mate willing to support your efforts? To do your best, you need to have the backing of people closest to you. If they know this is an important goal for you, they are more likely to help you out when you're really busy or stressed. Get their support before you go back to school.

4. Are you absolutely positive that you'll 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're committed to completing everything you start.

5. Is your employer going to be sympathetic to your new undertaking? 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 project?

6. Is your life in balance enough that you can give schoolwork your undivided attention? If not, perhaps you should delay enrolling at a better time (but knowing full well that there may never be a perfect time).

7. If you're thinking, "But in four years, I'll be such-and-such years old..." 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 future.

8. Are you sure you need/want this degree? Before you commit time and money to school, be sure the investment is a sound one. A continued education is usually never a regrettable experience, but it can be a difficult one if making ends meet to pay back loans after getting your degree is incredibly trying. Also, you should make sure the degree you're getting will get you where you want to be in your career.

Source -- Family Network
http://www.familynetwork.com