| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 4/11/2007 6:40:19 PM | I took a few years off in the middle of my graduate degree, and when I went back I was 36 when I finished. Oh how I miss being a student!! lol. I now teach at a university and I absolutely agree with the poster above who commented on what a pleasure it is to have what universityies call "non-traditional" students in the classroom. They tend to be less shy than many of their younger fellow students about participating, they bring life's experiences to the table INCLUDING the willingness to ask for help, and perhaps most importantly, they are ALWAYS there for a REASON other than that it's just "what you do" after high school, or their parents "expect it." Most importantly they usually understand that achievement follows from hard work!
I can tell you that I wish more students HAD to get some life experience before starting university. And for that matter, I wish that I had had to.
Congratulations on a great decision, best of luck to you, and ENJOY it!
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 4/28/2007 2:29:02 AM | I'm 40 and this spring semester was my first full load semester in over 20 yrs. It has been the semester from hell. I was sick for the first four weeks with bronchitis and for the past two weeks dealing with an abscessed tooth. I have nearly given up, but my professors have been very supportive and encouraging. I know I can do this, I still have a long way to go.
Kudos to everyone, and you can do it! | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 4/28/2007 4:03:11 AM | Really glad to see this thread pop up. Appreciate people sharing their experiences.
Yesterday I completed my aptitude test and the gentleman conducting the test was amazed at my abilities and just how smart I am(yes I was blushing). I am returning to school due to workplace injury and so figured that I would only be allowed to go through college and my plans were for EA or Child Socialologist. He informed me yesterday that he is strongly reccommending to my adjuticator that I go to University for a teacher instead due to my talents and interests. Wow was I shocked!!!
So waiting to see what happens-but it is going to be weird going to University at age 36/37. Having 2 children and dealing with their homework-gonna be alot of hard work. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 4/28/2007 6:19:33 AM | I think this is a wonderful thread!
After my divorce, I too decided to return to college. I sold my house to lower my expenses so I could afford tuition each semester. The sacrifice will be worth it in the long run because I will finally be able to work in a field that I love.
Coping is somewhat difficult. Luckily I don't have children thrown into the mix, but I do still have a job and was helping care for my Mom until she passed away, and now am helping care for my Dad. I've not been able to take a full-time course load, so it's taking me longer, but it is still so worth it. I finish my degree in Graphic Design next year! Yeah!
Congrats to everyone who went back to school and Good Luck!
Misha | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 4/28/2007 10:40:36 AM | | Yep. done it in my late 30's for law school. I found I needed to reprogram my thinking after years in the real world. Scary as ****. But I made the decision and stuck it out because it was important to me. Maybe that is one thing life experiences bring to the table. That and setting/balancing priorities. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 4/28/2007 11:52:05 AM | I have. Not for any of the reasons like divorce, but because I started hating what I did for a living and decided to switch.
It's very hard. Not so much the schoolwork, but sitting with all the cool kids in the class being 10+ older than them. Kills the ego a little. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 4/29/2007 12:59:55 AM | Yeppers, after the divorce. 12 years out of school. It was scary, nerve racking and awesome..Went to Davenport U..Let me do this take out test, see where you stand academically and if you can fore go the basics..Who knew..Straight to the major..Thrilled..Hard though. Worked an average of 50 hours, took 5 full time classes, 18. 25 credit hours. Stayed on the deans list..It was so much easier than I thought it would be..I loved the never ending changes which challenged my mind, oh my yes, legal field..
Except for the Latin which tripped me up at first, All of my instructors let me work ahead. By the 2nd term, I was (yep Way Gloating here) ready for finals at mid terms..Maintained a 3.98...NO LIFE...I do mean NO LIFE...Exhausted, CRANKY...Coffee addict, 3 pots a day just to keep the toothpicks in place..Couldn't let those eyelids shut or the brain shut off.
Work at 3 am until 5 pm, school from 5:30 pm to 10 pm, M,Tues, and Thurs. Wed was 5 :15 until 8:30 pm..Home, inhale a shelf of the frig, drink a pot of coffee, begin homework. Slept from 12 until 3. I was LATE a lot...lol..Ended up changing my hours to not going in until 4 am..THEN to 5 am...(Had a GREAT boss) Back to back 3 terms, finished out a 2 yr degree. I was MOTIVATED...(FAT raise).. boyfriend left me, friends faded into the horizon, family called to see if I was alive, at work..Used to let loose and go out Friday nights until 11, sleep until 12noon, go to lab at school til they closed at 5pm, go home, make a pot of coffee, drink it. Homework until 2, 3 or 4 am..Slept all day Sunday.. They told me to allow for 3 hours of homework per class. It was at least that. The only way was to work through it quickly and get out. FAST!(used to do homework on lunches, breaks and during classes for other classes). NUTS..
Yeah, it Was GREAT!! And yes, I'd do it all over again...But I'm an adrenaline JUNKIE..Okay I do love the stress of deadlines..
BEST of LUCK...You'll do Wonderful...Keep it positive, upbeat and remember, it does come to an end...
Take names, kick butt, and try to remember where you left your memory...((SMILE))
Peace (ful) | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 4/29/2007 1:30:52 AM | Snoogle,
Congratulations on your decision to go back to school! Like you, I decided to return to University shortly after my separation. I think it was a very healing place for me to be. Separation and divorce often leaves us feeling lonely, unsure of ourselves and our abilities. When I returned to school, it gave me something postive to focus on (finishing an honours degree in English Literature) while I was going through a very negative time in my life (a nasty divorce). Returning to school helped me reclaim my sense of self that, honestly, I thought I had lost when I separated from my husband.
At the time, I was working full-time, raising three children on my own, and taking graduate-level courses. It proved to be a bit too much for me to handle, and the toll of it all (including the stress of the divorce) impacted my health. I made the decision, for the time being, to put my children first. School would have to wait until my children were older (they were 4, 6 and 8 at the time, and I had sole custody and guardianship with little or no visitation occurring). I noticed that my children were starting to act up in negative ways to get my attention - attention that I was giving the books instead of them.
I guess what I'm saying is that while it is important to find something to re-establish your sense of self, it is equally important to establish a good balance. A healthy, happy mom is the best gift you can give your child, and if you're able to provide that while going to school, and going to school is what makes you healthy and happy, then, by all means, pursue it. Additionally, upgrading your education can ameliorate your financial situation. However, don't lose focus on your child and his/her needs.
How does my story end? Well, school has been put on the back burner for the time being. I still have many dreams about going back to school, from pursuing a M.A in English Literature, to eventually obtaining a PhD in Piano Pedagogy. I may be 92 by the time I finish these degrees!! LOL School will always be there. My kids are growing up faster than I care to admit. I found that, personally, I couldn't balance kids, a career and school, and the kids were the ones suffering.
Since that time, I have made the decision to put my children first, and I have reaped the benefits ten-fold. They are strong, healthy, confident, intelligent boys on their way to independance (but not too soon!). Now that the home environment has stabilized, I have been able to focus on my business, and will soon be opening a second location and hiring employees. Eventually, I hope that my business will be able to support me enough that I can afford both the time and the money to complete the degrees I so desire.
It boils down to this: you have to do what's right for you. Ensuring that you're healthy and happy is an important part of being a mother. As the old song says, "Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again." It's easy to see divorce as an ending. I choose to see it as a new beginning.
Good luck!! | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 4/29/2007 5:05:34 AM | Hi there!
I am almost divorced, filed back in May06... I am going abck to school too, now 35yrs old.. I was married for almost 14yrs, and now going back to school since before that. I have two boys ages 10 and 7, and they keep me real busy!! Then I also have 2 part time jobs on top of that!! Eventually I will have to sell my house too!! When the divorce is final that is!
I applaude you in all your efforts!! It's not easy starting over at our ages, but I do believe that it makes us all stronger and better people when we do take the time to better ourselves and our own lives:)
Best wishes to you!! | |
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| To:pianogal73...
Posted: 4/29/2007 5:10:14 AM |
It's easy to see divorce as an ending. I choose to see it as a new beginning.
That says it all:) I really love that!! May I use that?? That is exactly how I feel about my divorce too! Life's too short and precious to waste! and you're right! A divorce is a new begining to a much brighter and happier future!!
Take care! and best wishes!!
Tifi | |
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| To:pianogal73...
Posted: 4/29/2007 8:59:38 AM | Tifi
Go right ahead and use it!
I think it's really important to remember that we get to choose our outlook in life. If, after a divorce, you choose to have a negative/bad outlook, you're going to be a miserable person. If you choose to be bitter and caught in the past, your life will be full of disappointments. However, if you choose to look forward instead of backward, and look at the possibilities life offer... well, then, the world is full of opportunities. We can choose to fixate on all the bad aspects of the marriage, or we can learn from it.
I guess going back to school after a divorce is one way of learning from your mistakes.
yeah, that was bad! lol | |
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| To:pianogal73...
Posted: 4/29/2007 9:34:36 AM | I'm going to take evening courses this autumn for work related stuffs.
It's never too late to take courses.
Last evening course I took was a few years ago and I was one of the younger ones there.  | |
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| To:pianogal73...
Posted: 4/29/2007 10:23:13 AM | | I was maried for 10yrs had a really great job and then all of went POOF ...gone...So now I have a chance to make a new start for myself. Iwill not be returning to work full time, I will however begin school full time. I have managed to put some money up, I am getting rid of the "keeping up with the Jone's" S.U.V. and I am going to get a little beater that is great on gas. I am putting all or nothing into my education! Good luck to you in your decision as well! | |
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| To:pianogal73...
Posted: 4/29/2007 11:26:24 PM | | I plan on going back this fall. I'm either going to take courses to become a licensed vet tech, or go back to my artistic roots to pursue something like graphics design or concept art. I'm also going to take (another) voiceover class and continue my Persian language studies. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 4/30/2007 5:02:43 AM | Im thinking of going back to do some study part time as I work full time. I know I am 33, but I still feel like an 18 year old trying to find a decent career path.
You never stop learning. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 4/30/2007 8:34:15 PM | My sister did this - she went back at 31 and got her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was a single mom as well. She did four years full-time at University and before that she had to do lots of upgrading for math/biology/chemistry as her high school marks were over ten years old.
It was a real struggle for her but she did it. The fact that she was way older than most of her fellow students made it easier for her to study and not party as much. She did a lot of it on scholarships/bursaries so that helped too.
She has been working as a nurse for almost two years now - and she loves the income and the job.
Good luck to you! | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 5/1/2007 7:01:51 PM | I went back to school at 29. I am glad I waited till later in life to go back. When I got out of high school, I was in no frame of mind to go to college. I was more interested in the party life.
I admit, it was hard going back. I feel I got a lot more out of college by waiting though. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 5/1/2007 7:24:24 PM | OP: You certainly aren't alone in your pursuits. I am seriously considering graduate school; I am NOT looking forward to the lifestyle of a poor student (again...)  | |
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diz73
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Joined: 3/25/2007
Msg: 70 | |
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 5/1/2007 8:01:50 PM | OP - good for you :) im almost 34 and started back to college about a year and a half ago. im a single mom of 2 and i still work fulltime so i can only manage one class at a time, but i have been kicking a$$, even if i do say so myself lol. back in the teen years, i bombed college because i wasnt serious about it and was shocked at how much harder it was than high school... now i do seem to have a few brain cells left and i really want to do it, so ive suddenly found myself on the Dean's List for every term, as well as being invited to join the Honour's Socities. woooooo that feels good! i appreciate it much more now that im older and actually TRY hard to get good marks instead of scraping by with the skin of my teeth lol.
good luck and keep it up :) it also shows your children that you can do what you want to do at any age as long as you just go for it :) | |
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daisie
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Joined: 9/22/2004
Msg: 71 | |
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 5/1/2007 10:47:18 PM | I went to college in my early 30s. It was extremely hard for me in so many ways.....OMG....the worst horrible torturous years everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. It sucked!!!
But I didn't give up, and as painfully hard as it was I did have some good experiences. Life changing experiences....so I got a Master's Degree and some good life lessons. But all I can say is Thank You Jesus, Buddha and Allah that crap is overrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!
And check this out..................I didn't even have kids to deal with!! I'm am AMAZED at single parents who manage all that. Damn....... | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 5/1/2007 10:57:10 PM | | It was way harder than i expected. MBA school + everything , its crazy.. Bsically, i had no time to do everything that i loved doing.I had to call time out with friends so i could focus on homeworks. Being an outgoing person, it was tough. But id say its worth it. I have been learning not just from textbooks but from my prof and classmates. It was fun too . I like the feeling of going back to school. it was fulfilling too . It does not just focus on academics but in all aspects of organizations, leadership, relationship, ethics and law. I'm on vacation now so im more relaxed (thats why im here too) | |
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diz73
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Joined: 3/25/2007
Msg: 74 | |
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 5/2/2007 9:18:00 PM | | the way i look at it, my grandmother went to nursing school at age 40 when all her kids had left home, then she was a nurse for almost 20 years and LOVED it. 20 years in a career you enjoy is great, so who cares if you dont start til you are older?! i am much more serious about school now than i was 15 years ago. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 5/3/2007 5:44:00 AM | | I went back to college two years ago, and although its hard work and time consuming i wouldnt change a thing, life is so much better now and in the process im setting a good example to my son by showing him that if you put your mind to something you can achive anything! | |
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