--- title: 2,021 Reasons Why 2021 Is YOUR Year To Go Back To School description: Go back to school and finish your degree. Contact the School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education at Fitchburg State and we'll guide you through the process. image: https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hubfs/september-2021-calendar.jpg --- [![Fitchburg State](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hubfs/FitchburgStateUniversity/logo.png)](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/) # [  ![sgoce-blog-logo-1](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/sgoce-blog-logo-1.png?width=250&height=106&name=sgoce-blog-logo-1.png)](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce)   ## [2,021 Reasons Why 2021 Is YOUR Year To Go Back To School](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/2021-is-your-year-to-go-back-to-school) Posted by [Kelly Norris](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/author/kelly-norris) on August 31, 2021 at 11:59 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Wow... that's a lot of reasons to finish your degree. On second thought, that may be too many reasons, and is sounding more and more like a book. How about five reasons instead? That should be plenty! ![september-2021-calendar](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/september-2021-calendar.jpg?width=325&name=september-2021-calendar.jpg)So, instead, here are the top **five** reasons that 2021 is the year for you to go back to school and finish your degree: #1 - Your kids Okay... everyone reading this who doesn't have kids, skip to item #2. You get to enjoy the top **four** reasons 2021 is your year. (You're SO efficient.) Everyone left reading this is a parent? Good. Having two people in a household take college courses at the same time can be expensive. How about completing your degree while your kids are still young? That way you can be a better resource for your kids when they work on their own degree. Also, think of what a great example you'll be to your kids when you show them the value of continuing your education; they'll thank you for that! ### #2 - Your job What better way to show your employer that you want to improve yourself and your skills than by going back to school and finishing your degree? And, if you hate your job and want to look for a new one, you can finish your degree to help you land the job that you want. As a bonus, did you know that the [higher your degree level, the better your pay can be in the job market](http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm)? ### #3 - Your academic history This isn't your first time to this party. You may not even have far to go before you finish your degree. Transfer your previous credits to Fitchburg State, and check out our [Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/courses-registration/registrar/prior-learning-assessment-pla-through-portfolio) that can award credit for acquired knowledge and skills through life experiences. And did you know you can [earn credits by taking exams](https://clep.collegeboard.org/clep-exams)? Get additional credit for what you already know! Get it done! Meet with an advisor to figure out what you have and what you need *before another semester goes by!* And remember, if you were in a graduate program, those classes EXPIRE after six years and you can lose the value of those credits. Yeah, don't let that be you.  ### #4 - Your pace Now that you’re an adult, you get to call the shots and go to school at a pace that fits your life and goals, and if you [study online](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/graduate-academics/graduate-continuing-education-division/online-learning), you can even study when it works best for you! ### #5 - Your turn This one's easy. Finish your degree for you. You'll be glad you got it done, and you'll feel pride in that accomplishment! **You're worth it, and the time to get started is now! Learn more about our degree and certificate programs at our upcoming Virtual Graduate School Open House or contact [us](mailto:gce@fitchburgstate.edu) for more information. 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