3 benefits of going back to school.

At age 25 I decided to move to Korea, at age 28 I decided to take a Korean language program. I was very excited to start working, teaching English in a foreign country, that I didn't think in three years I would choose to be a student again. But learning Korean in Korea is quite useful for finding work beyond English teaching. If you find yourself contemplating taking college classes again, language classes, or just becoming a student again post-graduation, here are three benefits of doing so. The freedom to learn your common mistakes.

You not only make mistakes in class, but you want to make mistakes to have them pointed out to you. When you make a mistake in the adult world, that mistake is not tolerated for long. You may learn from your mistake or keep making the same one until you lose your job. In the classroom, the worst thing you can do is be wrong, and then you can figure out how to correct yourself.

You know what you want now.

In my freshmen year of college, I wandered listlessly trying to figure out where I could go. These days I see all the options I cannot do, for personal and practical reasons, therefore I'm far more motivated to study now than I was then. Knowing why you're in class, is something my younger self didn't know as well. When I attend class now, I know exactly what I want to get out of my studies.

If you're thinking about changing careers, it's possible and very normal

“Starting again” seems tough, many job listings both want youth and experience and you'll have neither. However, if you hated working in IT support and were more interested in reading history books, perhaps there's another job for you to find. Attending suitable classes, like a language or history class, will help your search. Sadly, not everyone can quit their job and search for a profession they're passionate about. Consider dipping you're toes, taking a little time to research and see what you're good at. I knew a guy with a medical doctorate teaching English in Korea, from medical research to ESL teaching is a leap you too can make.

At some point, you may only see all that you cannot do. For me this is a blessing in disguise, culling my choices into a manageable size. Your options, interests, and passions may too give you a new desire to learn. And if someone scoffs at you that they would never attend school again, just remember "The only dummies are the ones that think they're smart enough. "