The start of a new year is a good time to reflect on where you’ve been and ask yourself some honest questions about where you're headed, especially when it comes to your education and career.

If you've been thinking about going back to school, finishing a degree you started years ago, or picking up new skills to move your career forward, the start of a new year is the perfect time to stop thinking and start planning. And if you’re ready (we know you are!), here’s how to turn reflection into action.

Start with the big picture, then get specific

Before diving into program research or application deadlines, take a step back. Where do you actually want to be in five years? Ten years? What kind of work do you want to be doing, and what's standing between you and that goal?

These questions might feel overwhelming, but they're essential when you’re planning career advancement moves.

Without a clear sense of your long-term goals, it's easy to pursue an education that looks good on paper but doesn't actually move you closer to where you want to be. Maybe you need a specific credential to advance in your current field. Or perhaps you want to pivot into something entirely new. And it’s possible you're not sure yet, and that's okay too.

Once you have that big picture in mind, start narrowing things down. What specific degree, certificate, or skill set would get you there? What kind of program format fits your life? Are you looking at a multi-year commitment or something you can complete in a few months?

The clearer you can get, the easier it becomes to evaluate your options and make a decision that actually fits.

Write down your answers, even if they're rough. You can refine them later, but having something concrete to work with makes the next steps easier.

Check what benefits you already have

Here's something that surprises a lot of people: your employer might already be willing to help pay for your education. Many companies offer tuition assistance programs, and if yours partners with EdAssist® by Bright Horizons®, you have access to more than just funding—you have support for the entire process.

Log into your EdAssist portal and explore what's available. Each employer is unique, so you’ll want to discover:

• How much tuition assistance you’re eligible to receive annually.
• Which programs, schools, or certificates are covered.
• If coverage requires HR or managerial approval.
• Additional benefits offered, including EdAssist’s coaching.

Understanding your benefits is a crucial first step, because it transforms "someday I'd like to go back to school" into "here's exactly how I can afford to do it."

If you're not sure whether your employer offers tuition assistance, now is the time to ask HR. You might be sitting on a benefit you didn't even know you had.

Plan around the resources you have

Money isn't the only resource that matters; the time you can commit is just as important.

Before committing to a program, take an honest look at your schedule and ask yourself the following questions:

• How many hours per week can you realistically dedicate to coursework?
• Do you have busy seasons at work that would make certain semesters harder than others?
• Are there family obligations or other commitments that will compete for your attention?

Be realistic. Overcommitting is one of the fastest ways to burn out or fall behind.

If you can only carve out five hours a week, that's useful information; it means you should look for programs designed for working adults with flexible pacing. If you have more bandwidth, you might be able to take on a heavier course load and finish faster.

Think about energy too, not just hours. Are you sharper in the mornings or evenings? Could you use your commute for reading or listening to lectures? Would an asynchronous online program work better for your life than scheduled class times?

The more honestly you assess what you're working with, the better you can set yourself up for success.

Talk to someone who can help you sort it out

You don't have to figure this out alone. If you have access to EdAssist, you likely also have access to free coaching services designed to help you clarify your goals and build a plan to reach them.

Book a call with a coach. Put it on your calendar before the year ends. Our academic coaches can help you connect the dots between your long-term aspirations and the educational steps that will actually get you there. They can help you evaluate programs, think through timing, and navigate the logistics of balancing school with work and life.

Think of it as a conversation with someone whose entire job is helping people like you make smart decisions about education. That's a resource worth using.

Audit the year you just had

Reflection is both about looking forward and considering the past year, too. There’s a lot we can learn when we take an honest look at the previous twelve months, so ask yourself the following:

• Did you make progress toward your educational or career goals, or did the year slip by before you knew it?
• If you had intentions to go back to school but didn't follow through, what got in the way? Was it time, money, fear, or just not knowing where to start?
• Would you do anything differently if you could do it over again?

There's no judgment here. Life gets busy, priorities shift, and sometimes the timing genuinely isn't right.

But understanding what held you back can help you address those obstacles in the year ahead. If money was the barrier, dig into your tuition benefits. If time was the issue, explore flexible or online programs. If fear was the culprit, that coaching call might be exactly what you need.

Give yourself deadlines to stay on track

Good intentions have a way of fading once the new year energy wears off. The best way to keep yourself accountable is to set specific tasks and deadlines—and treat them like real commitments.

Here's an example of what that might look like:

• Use your holiday break to brainstorm and research, aiming to have two or three program options identified by the time you go back to work.
• Book a coaching call for the first week of January while you still have momentum.
• Give yourself until the end of January to make a final decision and submit your application.

These deadlines don't have to be set in stone, but they should feel real enough that you'll actually follow through.

Put them on your calendar. Tell someone about them. Create some external accountability so that "I'll get to it eventually" doesn't stretch into another year of waiting. Sometimes, the hardest part of continued education really is just taking the step to get started, so commit to taking that first step next year.

Put your resources to work

You have more support available than you might realize. EdAssist offers tools and guidance designed to help you at every stage of your educational journey, from figuring out what you want to pursue to actually getting there.

Here’s how you can start putting together a plan to move forward:

• Start by booking a call with EdAssist’s academic, financial, student loan, or policy coaches (if offered by your employer) to talk through your goals and options with someone who can help you build a realistic plan.
• Browse the EdAssist blog for advice on everything from choosing a program to how to thrive when returning to school as an adult learner.
• Check out LevelUp Studio for on-demand resources that can help you develop new skills and explore career paths.

The new year is a chance to move forward with intention. You have the resources, the support, and the opportunity. Now it's just about taking that first step.

Ready to get started? Start with EdAssist’s LevelUp Studio today.