Motivation to Go Back to School That's when I decided that I would go back to school and get my degree. I promised myself that I would finish my studies. If I completed my studies, I would make my parents proud of me. Additionally, I want to be the first person on either side of my family to attend graduate school. Adults return to college primarily because they want a higher-paying career or professional job. It could be a professional nurse, an elementary school teacher, a police officer or a lawyer. It could also be an accountant, a journalist, a librarian, an interior decorator or a beautician (Smith, 2001). After being on the road for three years, I decided to return to college at the University of Delaware and the University of Pennsylvania. Both universities informed me that I would have to repeat the first two years I had completed at Chattanooga State. I should commit to another four to six years of college. I didn't have time to do it. I wanted to finish my degree within two years if possible. Then, later, when they realize that their choices are limited, their future sealed or semi-gelled, they decide that school is where they need to be (Smith, 2001). I had made arrangements for an apartment before moving, so all I had to do was wait for the moving van to bring in my furniture. I went looking for a job and found a position with Veterans Affairs. While I unpacked and settled in, I filled out and submitted my paperwork for UTC. After a few weeks, I received a response from UTC saying that I had been accepted and could begin the fall semester. I was so excited to finish my studies. My major was Healthcare Administration. Older women – those 25 or older – returning to college account for more than half of evening enrollment at area colleges. Nontraditional students are typically between 25 and 45 years old and enroll part-time rather than full-time. They generally attend evening classes and have work and family obligations to balance with their studies (Richards, 1999). While meeting with my advisor, I was told that I would take ten or fifteen more classes before I could graduate. I was looking at the course catalog I could take and the advisor told me to take the freshman classes before getting into the core classes.