| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 1/29/2008 5:57:41 PM | | I posted on this thread on the first page. I finished up school in May. Got hired in August and just got a promotion. Doing better than ever financially but best of all I'm happier than I was in my former career. I damned proud of myself for taking the leap, blowing the dough and finishing up. Although I think I've found a home, I'm ready to jump again if I need too. Don't fear the reaper.... | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 1/29/2008 11:33:15 PM | *Cringes* Being a single mom is extremely difficult! Got my Counselor Technician a couple of years ago, and I've gone back to school and on my way to hopefully getting my Associates and then on to Bachelors either in Comm. Psych. or Social Work. Not only that but I have a full time job, two girls who are also busy with after school programs (8 combined) and going to Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife Canada, not to mention performances or competitions, have to start building my house this spring - this housing program is like Habitat Housing, you have to earn so many hours. Having a foster child who never had routine, chores, or had no consequences is time consuming. But she's one heckuva girl who excels in what she's determined to do once set in motion.
It's well worth it though because my one and only considers me her role model. Can't beat that eh?  | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 1/31/2008 6:48:46 AM | | I'm 35 and just finished my a full time 2 year program in business. It definitely was scary, but I learned so much more then just what I was studying. The 'youth' that you are surrounded by makes you aware of so much more! Best experience ever ! | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 1/31/2008 8:49:24 AM | I dropped out of High School and got married at 17. . . after what felt like an entire lifetime, I went back to school at 29 and got an AS as a commercial pilot and a BA in Business and Interpersonal Communications. I found that I was very focused (compared to those around me) and did very well. All of the other returning students in my classes had the same experience.
One thing I learned... students fresh out of High School were in college to screw around and stretch their wings, NOT learn... I TRIPLE that assessment for students who have their mommies and daddies paying for their school. Talk about a waste of time and money.
I highly recommend college for ANY adult who wants to learn in an intense environment... you are much more prepared for it NOW then you could have been at 18.
James, Port Orchard, Washington, USA, Earth | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 1/31/2008 5:52:59 PM | | I went back to school. I graduated with a diploma and decided to continue on and get my degree. I'm so glad I did. If my marriage of over 10 yrs and divorce since 2001 has taught me anything is that sometimes you need do things for you. Besides education is one thing NO ONE can ever take from you. LOL! Good Luck! | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 1/31/2008 9:22:55 PM | *raises hand* I returned to school because of a divorce. Like you, I was married for most of my 20's. I worked up until I had my son and I never worried about a career because my ex and I had decided I would stay home to raise our son. Well life is funny and never turns out as we plan so I ended up having to return to school in order to plan for my future. It was the best decision of my life! I think it's never too late to work on your education or career goals. I am so glad I have. I graduate in June and I will have finished the program I am in then as well too. I will be able to start my new career.
Best wishes to you! | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/2/2008 2:11:35 AM | | I am currently in university, 1 more year to go for my degree. At first I was scared to death but it was definately the right move. Of course now that I only have a year to go I am considering graduate studies. Odds are I will be 40 or close to it by the time I am done, but I don't really care. This is something I am doing for me. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/2/2008 3:04:01 AM | | I'm sort of in your shoes...I'm divorced and I have a 7 year old child. I want to go back to school and be a teacher. I think it's the perfect career for a mother....when you are at work then your child is in school, when she is off then usually you are too. I just don't see how I can do it...My daughter is 7 years old and I guess I haven't figured out how to balance the bills of going back to school, I don't have many people to help in watching her so it's mostly just the two of us...I'd be interested to know how you pulled this off...feel free to even send me a message in my profile. :) | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/2/2008 12:34:52 PM | | After raising my daughter primarily by myself until she was 12 and I figured she would be OK not having Mommy around so much. It was a very long process I started when I was 30 retaking my grade 12 because the one I had taken through community college years before was no longer accepted. It was helpful though and I discovered that I was very good at science, especially chemistry. I started the Chemical Technology program when I was 33. It was intense and I did nothing but study for 3 years but I know I would never have had the focus or determination to do it earlier. Of a class that atarted with over 30 students, fastfowarded 3 years to graduation and there are only 8, I was among them. I have a great position and truly like my job. It is so worth it. I think when you go back to school as a mature student you already understand some of the basic, discipline, self sacrifice, moderation and it make the experience much more rewarding. I would encourage anyone thinking of going back to school in there 30 to go for it. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/2/2008 12:48:33 PM | If going back to school is something you want to do, don't let anything stand in the way. Age shouldn't really be a factor! I have a few good friends who are 35 and older who are going back to school and loving it. I met my current best friend at college about two years ago, she's in her 50's and graduates at the end of this year.  | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/2/2008 2:53:21 PM | | I'm a single mum, i returned to uni when my daughter was 2 to study law and forensics, i think you are doing a brilliant thing and you will be so proud of yourself when you finish it, its an amazing feeling to accomplish a degree while being a full time single mum .. well done to you | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/4/2008 4:19:06 PM | | After a ten year hiatus, I finally got off my ass, did what needed to be done and am currently going back to school. I must say I really like, but I have always liked college. Now all I gotta do is figure out what I want to do with my life. One thing that has made things a bit complicated for me is that I scheduled my classes around my work schedule and at the time I was working from 2pm to 10pm. Well they stuck me on nights910pm to 6am), and my classes start at 9am. Basically I go home, sleep for a bit, get up and go to class, then come back home and go to bed. When I get up I have to do homework, and other stuff around the house that needs to be done. It dosent leave me much time, but I have to admit going back to school is so far a fun challenge and I love learning. Only regret is that I wish I would have been more focued about 10 years ago, I could have had my degree by now. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/4/2008 4:34:01 PM | I'm currently working towards a degree in international trade. Its tough juggling work and school. I couldn't imagine being a solo parent and doing it, kudos to you.
A sure sign of a good catch | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/6/2008 12:52:58 PM | | Yes, I have also started back to college. I have to say that College Algebra is kicking my butt... lol.. I enjoy all my classes. I am juggling full time classes, home, and children . It's a lot of work, but sticking with it. Good Luck to you. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/6/2008 7:05:56 PM | | I went back to graduate school to get a Master of Public Administration degree in 2003. I was working full time when I did it, so it took three years to finish rather than two, but it was so worth it. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/8/2008 2:40:31 PM | Well, I'm not in my 30's now, but I first went back to school after about a 12 year hiatus, I was 35 working towards an Associates degree in Business Administration. It was how I was coping with the loss of my husband...I was able to throw myself into the school work. When I graduated two years later, I had earned not only the Business degree, but a Liberal Studies one as well as a couple of certificates. Five years passed since I earned those, and now I'm back in school again - this time going for Bachelor degrees in Communications and Psychology.
Point being, the professors *love* having adult students in their classes. They know we're serious about being here...we're not killing time, putting off getting "real" jobs, or worried about the next party. We have life experience that the other students do not, the professors can relate stories to us better. They often are more understanding of any situations we might encounter that might make things a bit more challenging. We are the serious students. We're not thinking about whether or not we wore the right thing to school...I dont know about you, I'm usually just relieved when my socks match getting ready in the mornings. College-age girls obsess about fashion, we think about comfort...
On the downside, most times we, the older student is kind of treated as a pariah. The kids dont know how to relate to us, so we have to put out a little bit of an effort to be seen as students just like them. (Which is a pain when we have group projects to do...) I think we're compared to mom's...and who wants to work with their moms (or dads)? When I was in the Community College, it was less of a problem, there were many returning students there, but in the university it's a different story.
In spite of that, I love being back in school and I cant wait to see what I will do with my degrees when I finish...lol. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/9/2008 6:06:20 PM | Well done and congreats, see it through!
I went back last year to work on my PhD, it took a lot of courage and conviction but deep down, felt like something I had to do.... seeing it through now is the challenge! | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/13/2008 6:19:40 PM | | Started back this Jan for my RN degree, been and LPN for 19 years. It's one of the hardest things i ahve ever done and something i'll be so proud of myself for doing it. We all should be proud for doing this and kicking outselves in the butt for not doing it 20 years ago. My kids now know they will never wait to finish their education. They see how hard it is for mom. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/13/2008 8:20:51 PM | | Although I'm not divorced, I am currently back in school. After a year of debating, I decided I wasn't happy with the field I was in and returned to school in Jan of '07. Even though I have a BA and Masters in the first field. I went back to school to work on a computer network engineer degree. Happiness is more valuable than money. (I can always go back if I want.) | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/13/2008 9:05:04 PM | | yup, doing a BA at the moment through distance education with a University out of Alberta - works out well as i can work the hours i spend on studying around, according to the needs of my children and other activities/work/etc | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/14/2008 2:01:13 PM | <<<< Single mom, 33...... In a full time (40 hour a week) program, I have about 20 hours a week of homework. Even after being out of school for 17 years I am maintaining a 3.20gpa.... better then I ever did in H.S.
Don't let anyone tell you after your 30 (40, 50 or even 60) you shouldn't go back to school!!!
If you have the opportunity to better yourself, DO IT! | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/17/2008 5:17:42 PM | | I graduated at 32, it took me another three years to find the career I'm in now. And it's not even related to what my degree is in. When you're older you take it more seriously and want to do well. You appreciate it more. I loved college. And recommend it to anyone who hasn't gone. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/20/2008 12:41:33 PM | | Not an easy task when you are in the military but I decided to go to school and I love it. I wish I would it done much sooner. I figure after 3 tour in hell, I better get educated. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 2/20/2008 2:01:27 PM | I had a whole other career as a makeup artist in the L.A. Film industry for eight years.
I went back to school to finish my B.A. (everyone has at least a Master's in my family). Spent three semesters on the Dean's List at a J.C., and transferred to U.C. Berkeley after that. It was really a challenge to be a 29 year-old junior at a major university --surreal place that CAL still is... My life experience did play a major role in my studies there, though. The only serious problem I had was the brand-new Windows XP operating system on my new laptop.
I was supposed to have been able to run a small, third-world country on that stupid paperweight. I ended up studying on my own for about two months just to understand enough of the terminology in order to be able to have "relationship counseling" with the damn thing! 
Now, I work in at a smaller market T.V. station in a technical operations position.
While I was there, I did take two friends from my class on their 21st birthday crawls... That was fun!
Properly sacrificed and marked with a Sharpie, as it should be.      
Now, if only my brother had taught me all of the drinking games he promised to teach me before I went back that he learned as an undergraduate at UCSB... I am relegated to an occasional game of "Quarters" with the local frat boys from Cal Poly! *hick*
Okay... It only happened twice... ; ) | |
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