Returning to school as an adult learner can take some patience. Even if you’re focusing on stackable, skills-based learning instead of a longer degree program, working full-time while taking classes may mean progress is slower than it would be for full-time students.
That’s undoubtedly challenging, and it may be easy to look at your progress and feel a bit discouraged that you’ve “only” completed a single class or that you still have a few more classes to take. We’ve seen many of our adult learners using continued education benefits through EdAssist® by Bright Horizons® sometimes feel like momentum isn’t on their side.
While progress may be slower, however, it’s undoubtedly worth celebrating. Slow and steady can win the race, and taking the time to actually reflect on how far you’ve come (even if it’s “just” a single class!) and the long-term ROI of your ongoing education can keep your motivation and momentum going.
As we head into November, it's the perfect time to pause and reflect on what you've accomplished with your education this year. So let’s talk about how to do that.
Why reflecting on your progress matters
It's easy to get caught up in what you haven't done yet rather than celebrating what you have accomplished. But taking time to acknowledge your wins isn't just feel-good fluff; it has real, practical benefits for your continued success.
Recognizing your progress builds momentum
When you're in the middle of a multi-year degree program or working through a certificate, it can feel like you're on a never-ending treadmill. Stepping back to see how far you've come can reignite your motivation to keep going.
If you ever get frustrated by what feels like slow-moving progress or a difficult course, that’s normal. And it’s exactly when you need to remind yourself why you started and what you've already invested. Those completed courses represent real time, effort, and dedication, and they're bringing you closer to your goals.
Your efforts are already paying off in ways you might not realize
Even if you haven't finished your degree or certificate yet, the work you're doing right now is creating value. You're developing new skills and expanding your knowledge. You’re also demonstrating qualities that matter to employers like commitment, time management, and the ability to learn and adapt.
What counts as a win worth celebrating
If you're thinking "but I haven't accomplished that much," you might be selling yourself short. Here are wins that absolutely deserve recognition:
You completed a course
Even one course completed is progress, including your first one! That's one class closer to your goal, new knowledge you didn't have before, and credits that count toward your credential. If you took even one class this year while working full-time and managing other responsibilities, you should feel proud of that.
You passed a difficult course
Maybe you struggled through statistics, barely survived organic chemistry, or spent countless late nights on a challenging research paper. The fact that you made it through— and passed!— is a significant accomplishment. That course is behind you now, you have proof that you can handle difficult subjects, and you never have to take it again.
You stayed enrolled during a tough year
Life happens. Maybe you dealt with a family emergency, a demanding work project, health issues, or just general burnout. If you managed to stay enrolled and keep moving forward even during difficult circumstances, that's worth celebrating. Persistence counts.
And don’t forget, sometimes life happens. If you need to pause, defer, or slow down coursework, that’s okay, too!
You learned something that's already helping you at work
Sometimes the ROI shows up faster than you expect. Maybe you learned a new software program or AI tactics in your IT class and you're already using it at work. Or perhaps your business communications course helped you write better emails to clients. These real-world applications are wins in themselves.
You made connections with classmates or professors
The relationships you build during your education can be valuable long-term. Whether it's a study group that keeps you accountable, a professor who becomes a mentor, or classmates who work in your desired field, these connections are part of your return on investment.
Networking can be a big part of landing your dream job, so don’t overlook this benefit!
The bigger picture: what you're gaining beyond the credential
When you think about your education ROI, it's natural to focus on the end goal: the degree or certificate that will help you get a promotion, switch careers, or increase your earning potential. But there's value being created right now, even before you reach that finish line.
You look impressive to current and future employers
Being enrolled in a degree or certificate program signals to employers that you're committed to growth and self-improvement. When you put "Currently pursuing [degree/certificate]" on your resume or LinkedIn profile, it shows initiative and ambition.
Many managers look favorably on employees who are actively working on their education. It demonstrates that you're invested in developing your skills and that you're thinking about your long-term career growth.
You're developing marketable skills
Every course you take teaches you something new. Whether it's technical skills like data analysis or project management, or soft skills like written communication and critical thinking, you're building capabilities that make you more valuable in the workplace.
These aren't just theoretical skills, either. Adult learners often have the advantage of being able to immediately apply what they're learning to their current roles, which reinforces the learning and demonstrates value to their employers.
You're building resilience and discipline
Successfully managing work, life, and school simultaneously requires serious time management, discipline, and resilience. These are skills in themselves that will serve you well throughout your career.
The ability to juggle multiple priorities, meet deadlines under pressure, and push through challenges are qualities that employers highly value.
You're investing in job security and future opportunities
In what’s currently a quickly changing job market, continued education is a great way to maintain job security. The credentials and skills you're earning make you more competitive and open doors to opportunities that might not have been available to you before.
Even if you're not seeing immediate returns yet, you're positioning yourself for future promotions, career changes, or salary increases. That degree or certificate you're working toward could be the differentiator that gets you the job you really want.
Take stock of your accomplishments
Before the year ends, take some time to actually list out what you've accomplished. This might include:
- Courses completed
- New skills learned
- Challenges you overcame (like that felt-like-it-was-impossible group project or the course you were worried)
- Times you applied your learning at work
- Connections you made
- Progress made towards a certificate or degree program
Seeing it all written out can be powerful. You might be surprised by how much you've actually accomplished, and it can prevent you from downplaying the hard work you’ve done.
Use that momentum to keep moving
Once you've reflected on what you've achieved, it’s easier to feel that momentum underway. Use it to your advantage to keep your motivation going, especially if you hit a rough patch in a future semester. Having that reminder that you’ve done hard things and made progress can help you remember that you can do it again.
The wins you've earned this year— no matter how small they might seem— are proof that your goals are within reach. Each course completed, new skill developed, and challenge you've overcome is bringing you closer to the career advancement, job security, or personal fulfillment you're working toward.
So take a moment to celebrate. You've earned it.
Ready to keep building on your progress? Get the resources you need to succeed with EdAssist’s LevelUp Studio.
