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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/5/2007 3:39:08 PM | Just wanted to jump in again and encourage everyone and a big  and  to all those who've taken the step and made the commitment.
As I posted earlier, I taught college part time evenings for a few years. My "mature" (meaning not post high school) students were on average the more focused and serious about their education. A joy to teach and just to work with elbow to elbow sharing life experiences and making their educational experience a full and rich one.
I went back myself, mid 30's finished my Associates, straight through to Bachelors. A few years later, on to grad school and finished at 43. One thing my kids DID make me do is attend graduation. I'm glad they did, and do get as many people as you can to be there with you. It's a celebration, make a day of it and enjoy the moment as a big accomplishment.
As a mature student and former educator, I'll pass on a few tips:
As a student, you are the consumer, so be a smart one. Ask questions, and make sure you are satisfied with the answers. Check out the accreditation and make sure that if you're working towards something, your school's accreditation will be accepted. Do your homework before you register and don't let anyone pressure you. All schools have to be accredited, just to be able to give you a diploma, certificate, etc. This may be important, you'll only know for sure if you know what questions to ask and verify it for yourself.
Your education is your responsibility. Teachers, academic materials are tools for you to use. Your teacher is a team member to help you accomplish your goals, it's up to you to do your part. In class time is limited, and no instructor can "teach" all of the material in a few hours. Don't expect to go to class and take notes and think all of the material will be covered and you'll be ready for a test.
Instructors' one to one time is also limited, so only ask about concepts you didn't understand from reading or working problems. I can tell you for a fact that what you learn on your own you will retain better and longer. If you're in a live class situation, trust that the instructor is giving a quick once over and going over the parts of a chapter that he/she feels most would have trouble grasping just from the text.
Get to know the other students, find a study buddy (I know sounds cheesy) but someone where if you're absent they can tell you what you'll need to do before next class. If possible, form a study group and help each other with homework or studying for an exam.
Be involved, ask for help and be willing to offer help when you can. Your instructor, your fellow students are all valuable resources, in the end it's still up to you to make sure you have understand the curriculum.
Talk to the other students in your program. Find out which instructors they feel do a good job and if possible, register for their classes. Get as much info from them as you can, if they've taken a class that you haven't yet.
Sorry for the length, if someone benefits from my experiences, then it's all good.
Again, way to go for making the decision to invest in yourself. Your education is something you can't lose, or have taken away, it's the only investment that is yours for life. make the most of it.  | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/10/2007 5:29:51 PM | | Congratulations on following your heart and going back to college. I am doing the same thing. I started college in 2004 when I was 32. I knew that my marriage would be coming to an end, and I wanted to use my Montgomery GI Bill too, so that is where it began. I have to admit, it was tough getting used to the studying and still keeping up with my normal duties. But it was so worth it. My last class was A and P. I had to drop that one as the homelife got volatile after a while and I couldn't sleep, study or anything else. So now, I am going back. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. I am proud of you for the decision to return to school. This is a testament not only to yourself, but also to your children. They will see you studying and think "hey mom is doing this, so can I".. Good luck with your college hon. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/10/2007 6:55:55 PM | | I dont see a problem with it. My mom went back to college to become a teacher when i was 10, she was 40. Now she has her bachelors degree in teaching. Only big problem was that i got jealous lol. For awhile she wasnt working and i got to spend all my time with my mom, then she went to school and had homework, essays and all that and i just didnt understand lol. Its never to late to go to school and learn. | |
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loljo
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Joined: 10/5/2006
Msg: 106 | |
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/10/2007 9:33:31 PM | Dear Chapstik,
The man who wrote this is a very intelligent strong person. I'd like you to read your posting once a day if you must, because you know you have it in you. One thing at a time, "but it will get done".
Two important people I know came up with that one, best wishes J. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/10/2007 10:51:44 PM | 6 years ago I had an awesome career going- Quickly moving up the ladder on the way to Squad Boss then Captain then (who knows) perhaps running my own wildland fire crew one day.
Then I broke my back.
Can't fight fire much when your legs don't work anymore. All the knowledge I had suddenly wasn't worth much, so I had to start completely over.
(Shed a tear if you must, but don't get too excited. I'm over it.)
So it's not "after divorce".. But I am starting over.
Pretty much the only choice I had if I didn't want to spend the rest of my life on the chicken-scratch I get for disability was go back to school. I was about... 10 units away from my AA, so I took a few classes to tie the thing up before all the units I had started falling off the records. (they do after 10 yeaers)
Then.. What then. Well, I'd thought Botany would be a cool job so that's the program I signed up for. Tried to get some $$ aid from the State, who told me there aren't enough botany jobs to justify training me. Ok, such is life. Can't always do what you want.
In the process of taking that first year of botany classes (didn't find out till 1/2 way through the state wouldn't flow) I had to take intro to Chem, which scared the hell out of me. I ended up getting an Awesome teacher & have found I'm pretty much a chemical genious. So... I've switched majors over to Biochem.
This year I have to take Organic & Calculus.. O-hem I'm not worried about. Calc? Once again, scared breathless of a class. But.. Maybe I'll get it easily like I did chem, I don't know.
As for "coping" it's not much of a problem. I work from home so I can do that around school- It's not much but it had paid tuition so far. (I make tools for the wildland fire industry- http://crew13.com )
I guess the biggest thing for me is trying to pay attention in class & not drool over all the young co-eds too terrible much since I just might be older than some of their Dads..
It's not really that bad. I'm old enough to be more worried about my grade than what the rest of the class thinks of me for asking a question, mature enough most days to do my homework first and *Then* go play.. And even though some class I'm being forced to take might have Absolutely Nothing to do with my major (Pretty sure after 4 years in the Military, 2 years world cup level snowboarding & 8 years in fire I've got "Lifelong Fitness" down...) I still want to do well in it.
So ya. Coping with college as an Old Dude isn't really that tough. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/11/2007 9:16:17 AM | | How about going back to school in your 40's. I completed college as and registered nurse at the ripe ole age of 42. I currently work as a RN. Anything is possible if you want it bad enough. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself. In my last semester, I attended school 4 days a week and worked at the same time. I had two children at home one in high school and one in junior high. It wasn't easy but I made it through. So I say Kudo's to anyone regardless of age who goes back to school. You can never have too much education. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/12/2007 6:20:29 AM | Hi
I personally cant see anything wrong with going back to study in your 30's! It is quite good, with age there perhaps is a bit more maturity and dedication to what your studying then when in your late teens early 20's, well for me at least.
I am 34, and have gorn back to study! (doing nursing) and loving it (well loving the prospect of all most being finished).
Good luck! | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/12/2007 8:39:46 PM | I started attending college AGAIN in my late 20s and I am now 30, almost 31. I have about two years left before I graduate depending on how I set my course load. It took me a while to get back into the swing of things as far as studying and writing papers goes. Thankfully, my first few classes were general education and not too technical or intellectually demanding.
These last few months have been a pain though, mainly due to my own personal goals. Trying to work a full time job while simultaneously preparing for IT certification tests and college has been rough. The good news is, I only have two tests left until I get my MCSE certification. I've also completed most of the more difficult classes required for my college major. It will be smooth sailing for me as far as college is concerned in a few months.
Was it worth it? Sure, but it would have been nice to have knocked the whole college thing out while I was still in my early 20s. Too bad I lacked the self discipline back then to get it done. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/13/2007 8:22:09 PM | Got the final go ahead by my supervisor and my internal departmental assessor. My thesis has been officially accepted. I'm done! Now it's on to graduating!!!! woohoo! Definitely not easy going back to school, but I'm glad I did it, perservered...Now it's party time!   | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/14/2007 10:45:14 AM | Firstly, WELL DONE and GOOD FOR YOU Snoogles :)
I myself went back to Uni at the age of 32, got my first degree and about to embark upon another! Believe me, its one of the best things I've done!
I won't deny tho, its been a hard slog - trying to juggle 3 children, home, etc etc, and there will be times when you will feel like jacking it all in!! ( I know I thought of it, frequently in my final year!!lol) But, on the plus side, I've made some truly great friends along the way.
You go girl, the only thing that stops us from achieving our dreams is the restrictions we put on ourselves :) GOOD LUCK for the future xxx | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/14/2007 8:38:07 PM | Sorry I haven't read through all the posts....but to OP and all those after that have taken the steps to go back to school - It takes a lot of courage, strength and organization (if you have a family). I too want to head back but haven't yet. I will get there. I always think well, I know its free when you turn 60 lol.
Best of luck to all in school! | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 9/16/2007 3:16:39 PM | Hi, All I have gotta say is you go! Congratulations for making that decision. I am 33 and going back to school to be an RN. The saying goes that" you're never too old to go back "is true IMO. Good luck! Sassy | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 10/4/2007 8:42:40 AM | Congratulations snoogles for deciding to finish school. I have also enrolled in school at
31 and i'm loving it. I've seen a lot, since i'm a 3 time Iraq Vet. Anyway, it's a little harder as we age but, not impossible to get a degree. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 10/4/2007 9:30:53 AM | | I just turned 31, and would like to go to school again. However I can't make up my mind on what I would like to do. I have interests in psychology, radio broadcasting(though I don't like AM/FM radio since getting satellite radio),foreign language, computers. I also would like to go to school as a hobby. I feel that if I can take classes that interest me then I will have a better chance of enjoying going back to school. But the thing is, is that I hate feeling rushed. Since I also work, I'd dread feeling I had to zip back and forth between school and work | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 10/4/2007 10:52:21 PM | Like Nike, just do it. The hardest part is taking that leap into college, trust me. I joined the military at 18 because I did not have the money for college. After 20 years of service I left the military with 2 degrees, unfortunately I didn't want to pursue a career in either field, so guess what. I am back in college full time pursuing another degree. The hardest part of all of this was getting started, of course then you have to deal with all the things others have posted here. The biggest for me is the age difference, you just don't feel connected with most of the "children" on the campus. Look around there are lots of older students returning to college these days, I found a group at my current college for older students that has many good people that are more than willing to help you out with anything.
Good luck | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 10/5/2007 3:04:24 AM | Is what I have to say about you going back to school Snoogles... Good for you.... I am 33 and I currently attend school as well. I have an Associates in Computer Science and found out the hard way that an AAS is not enough. So now I have 2 semesters to go and will receive my BA in Information Technology on June of 2008. I plan on continuing afterwards and get my Masters.
Just remember why you are going to school. You are there for yourself and to obtain the knowledge you gain by attending the courses given. I went back to school so that I may get a better understanding in the field I am pursuing. I used to think "damn, there is an age difference between other students and myself". Then I came to realize that I am not there for other people. I am there for me and not for the other thousands of students who attend the college.
Good luck on your school year | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 10/5/2007 8:44:07 PM | | I went back to college for a degree in Computer Engineering. My first two years were at the local community college which was ok, because most people were my age. It is was when I did my final two years at UCF that I felt most disconnected because most students were 20 year olds. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 10/6/2007 5:45:05 AM | | I have been taking classes at the local community college here in NC for about a year and a half now. I will be moving and attending senior college in January to pursue my degree in Psychology. I'm 38 and I feel like a kid sometimes. It's really cool! Good luck! | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 10/6/2007 6:17:35 AM | | I plan to go back in two years, when my son starts school so I won't have such an enormous daycare bill to look after. I'm excited and terrified - and glad to hear I'm not the only one out there. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 10/10/2007 9:57:41 AM | i got my first degree when i was 32 and i'll be 41 when i finish my second. being a single parent in school ain't easy.
speaking of which, my school, st ambrose university in davenport, iowa, is trying to start a kind of campus club for parents and other non-traditional students. we had our first meeting yesterday. any schools have programs like this? we want to include day care that could be run by the early childhood education students, a safe lounge, dedicated parking and other stuff. | |
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| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 11/16/2007 7:17:25 PM | | My mom went back to school in her early 50's and I think it was one of the best things that she ever did for herself. Education is a good thing at any age. Good luck to you. | |
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