| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 11/28/2007 11:42:29 AM | I started a psychology degree this september and at 38 I'm the oldest person on the course. I would agree with what everyone else has said - it was terrifying, the work load is difficult when combined with working part time and looking after my children, and I'm struggling for money but I wouldn't change it for the world! I'm making a whole new life and hopefully will be able to earn enough to provide well for my daughters, while doing something I find really interesting and providing them with a good role model. If you're thinking about going back into education, I say go for it   | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 11/28/2007 1:21:31 PM | Well I've found myself preparing for this situation. It's that 'which road to take' point in your life. Do I get a new job or go back to school!!!? Soooo today, I've decided on BOTH. A new job AND to go back to school.
I already have an AA, I may as well finish my BA in MIS OR Math. (Ya..I know pretty geeky.)
I actually look forward to the challenge and focused on increasing my income. (Aren't we all!?)
| |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 11/28/2007 1:25:14 PM | I left college when i was about 24 - my brother recently passed away and things weren't that great - I left my girlfriend - anyay i found out last year that I was one class shy of completing my requirements and i finished in 2006 I was 33 - never to late - now I am looking into graduate school
congratulations to you and best of luck | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 11/28/2007 6:43:45 PM | I taught at a college for about 11 years and noticed over that time that each year a greater percentage of the class was over 30. I'm starting to think that the 30's is now the "20s" in that few of use knows what we want in life at such an early age.
I'd say we should have 3-5 years just to wander around and explore. While this isn't practical for many of us it might answer why we have so many major career changes in life.
I noticed also the more practical we become as we age. A number of single parents in the classes would create informal groups and ask what were results oriented directions versus interest (ie. 14th century German Philosophy with a minor in Sociology).
It isn't a cheap or easy route but in the long run I have found dozens of people in their 30s,40s and even 50s that ended up having a "better" life because of the sacrificies they had in coming back to school.
I'm 46 now, left teaching and have gone into business and started an MBA. I quit the Master's program because it didn't provide real benefits besides having a great certificate to add to the wall. The average age in the classes was about 39 so going back to school seems to be becoming the norm.
Good for you though, Snoogles and all others sacrificing for a better life... | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 11/29/2007 2:09:39 PM | I'm glad I found this thread, I was feeling a bit lonely as an older student on this site !
I'm 43 and recently started an I.T. degree following 19 years working for the same company but not really going anywhere with my career. I'm loving it so far, and feel so much more 'alive' than when I was working in my old job  | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/11/2007 9:40:27 PM | Good for you Snoogles! 
I went back in 2003 at the age of 39. I got sick of low-paying jobs that got me nowhere in life. Oh, and I got laid off in January of 2004. I had gone during the early 90s but dropped out due to a lack of focus and alcohol problems. Anyway, when I returned in 2004 I was much more focused and determined. I did very well and now I'm almost finished with graduate school.
Here's a piece of advice from an old guy. If you have the drive, you'll do well. It's been my experience that students over 30 years of age do better than many of the younger students. Not all of them, mind you, but many of them. However, try to keep some balance in your life. Yes, good grades are important, but not at the expense of hobbies or friends or recreational activities.
Good luck Snoogles! | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/21/2007 5:03:12 AM | I went back to school (still there in fact) at the tender age of 43. At the end of the year, we had exams. The LAST time I had exams before that was in 1980 (before most of the class was even BORN)! DOH!!!
Toe knee :-) | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/21/2007 9:28:13 AM | I am currently in grad school, finishing in Mid-July with my Masters.
I don't feel like the old fart in the classroom. Most of my peers are aged 25-50.
Even undergrad I'd say just to treat it as school and not worry about it if you look like the old man in a room full of kids. | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/21/2007 11:39:46 AM | I went back to school in my 30s - Did my AS degree, and finished my BS last May - I debated law school, but decided to do my MS instead. I definitely feel that I got more out of school as an adult then I did when I first went (when parties were more important than class, lol) - I found that my life experience helped me in school, with the exception of papers - When did they develop all this MLA, APA, etc.. styles of citation, anyway?
Interestingly enough - before I had my BS, I would get turned down for jobs being told that they wanted the degree - Now that I have the degree and the experience, I am overqualified  Which is why I continued on - the added degree will enable me to make some career changes.
It's not an easy choice - but it's definitely worth it in the end. | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/21/2007 9:43:11 PM | I did the same thing, after years of doing jobs i hated. I decided to go and get the qualifications i needed for the job ive always loved. was 34 at the time... changed my life big time, Started my own business and never looked back... I no longer dread getting up in the morning to go to a job i detest
I look forward to my working day now, Took me 3 years at uni but was worth every second.... your never to late to learn, and can have a massive affect on your life  | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/22/2007 9:57:47 PM | Snoogles..You go girl! I started to law school at age 40 as the single parent of 3 kids. You're right .. hectic doesn't begin to describe the routine. However, I can testify that it is do-able.... I never knew how many awesome friends and neighbors I had until I had to depend on them to fill in the gaps for me. It was a group effort, and "we" graduated in May 2006!
Good luck going forward! | |
|
vro312
|
Joined: 11/22/2007
Msg: 162 | |
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/22/2007 10:24:24 PM | I went back to school for my M.A. in my early thirties. It was an awesome experience because it was the first time in my life I'd ever been a pretty good student (note: not great, just pretty good).
I also worked full time while I was in school. That was hard, but it forced me to become more disciplined. Sometimes I felt like I was going crazy, but I got through it and enjoyed the experience most of the time. The best part is now I will always have that degree and always have my thesis on the shelf in the university library.
Some of the students were quite a bit younger, but overall the ages were pretty balanced, and for the most part, I just focused on the fact that I was making some great progress in life.
As a result of the degree and a job change, I make a heck of a lot more money now. | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/23/2007 8:33:47 PM | | I graduated with my bachelor's in December of 06. I was 38. I have never regretted it. I was married at the time I went back and working full time. I'm planning to start grad school next year. I was so unhappy in my marriage and school was a great outlet. I had 1/2 of my classes done before I went back to finish. I went online at UIS and I loved it. I worked my butt off and even attended full time a couple of semesters. You will never regret getting your education and you'll be surprised how many people your age are in school. I have taken a year off and find that I miss going to school. I have friends who are single moms and though I have no kids they chose to go by my example that you can work, have a life and go to school. Every one of my female friends is excelling and they feel better about themselves and are happier with the example they're setting for their children. Good luck to you! You'll never regret going to school! It's a positive experience and being older and more mature is only more helpful when you're in school. I'm sure you'll do great. | |
|
JLM74
|
Joined: 10/21/2007
Msg: 164 | |
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/24/2007 7:39:16 PM | I went back to school almost 3 yrs ago. I was and still am working a dead end job while I finish up with my schooling. I didn't want to work in a factory the rest of my life and I knew I could do better for myself and my family. Unfortunately all the time I was spending at work, school, and studying left my wife with too much time on her hands.
I actually enjoy going to school. It reminds me that my life isn't at a stand still and how good the future will be. You can never go wrong with going back to school. | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/24/2007 8:38:58 PM | | Im 37 and going to get an electronics degree. Does it count if its through the army?? haha their sending me for 8 months of school in Ga. So far its great. I guess it makes a difference since its a millitary school. | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/26/2007 8:47:20 AM | After I my husband and I split in 2001, after being together 9 years, I had already 2 children and pretty much had become totally dependent on him. So when I left I had never completed my college education and felt I had to do something to get a decent job that would help support us. It was the second best choice I had made that year. Now I have a degree and a career and my children, esp. my oldest are able to see that a college education is valuable. I am now continuing to further my education and work towards a masters degree. I feel if I had never did go back to college, I would have never been able to move on in my life and finally figure out who I was again. I look forward to my classes and I enjoy school. I never did when I was younger, but I like it now. I have met many different people and had many different experiences along the way and it is a positive influence on my children, and it has kept me from going back to the way things were before. It does get hairy sometimes and stressful, but you get through it and you are better off because of it.  | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/26/2007 8:45:54 PM | I went back to school when I was 36. It was probably the most grueling two years of my life! I worked full time during the day, went to school full time at night (5 hours a night) and still managed to keep my house and kids running smoothly. But it was well worth it. I not only got my degree (and a better job because of it), but the sense of accomplishment was wonderful! I graduated with a 3.95 GPA.
And I set an example for my children that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/27/2007 1:22:33 AM | hiya snoogles, im 35 now, single parent, never married or divorced tho, but ive been at university for three years now, with 6 units left to go (2 semesters) my daughter will be 14 when i have my bachelors
its tough to stay on track sometimes, but the end is in sight!!!!
best of luck with it!!! | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/28/2007 4:02:50 PM | Ready for the super-duper long winded post!
I graduated college in 95 and went back to attain a teaching credential by 97. After being told teachers were in such high demand I thought it would be easy for me to get work. It was. If I wanted to substitute. Low pay, no benefits, just a baby sitting job. It’s cheaper for the schools to hire long term subs than actually employ teachers.
After a year of that I went back to school again for digital design. I loved it. I did really well, started my own internships and was working before I was even done with the program. I found what I wanted to do and everything was going to be perfect. Then I went into have a minor surgical operation performed on my right shoulder.
What was supposed to be a routine operation turned into the biggest and longest running nightmare I have ever had. Part way through physical therapy, I began to complain that I was feeling more pain instead of less. They said that was normal. Eventually, I couldn’t move my upper body. My muscles were locked tight and I began to break out in boils. I was in so much pain, I wanted to die. This lasted for months. Eventually, I was able to move my upper body, but the extreme pain limited me in anything and everything I wanted or needed to do. I lost my work, I lost my place, and after spending tens of thousands of dollars to see every guru on the planet, I lost hope.
At age 29, I couldn’t work, I was in extreme pain, and I was living at my mother’s house (as well as my girlfriend of 7 years dumping my worthless ass). The worst part was that the most pain came from repetitive motions. Like using a computer.
After another year, I was able to get a job at a restaurant and I did that for five years as well as teaching English part time at private language schools. I would always try to get back on the computer, but I could only handle it for maybe an hour or so.
So, I went back to school to reinstate my teaching credential. This was good, but few schools were willing to hire me as it had been close to a decade since I was in a public school classroom. The only solid offer I received was in 2006 to teach in a really run down part of town outside of southeast DC. I took it. I lasted one year and like 75% of my co-workers, left that school to never teach again. The system has made it impossible to do the job.
Fortunately, I have gotten a little better on the computer (as far as pain goes). Unfortunately, I came back to CA with little money and no job prospects. Again, I was working two jobs, seven days a week to just barely make ends meet. Now, I have swallowed all of my pride and dignity and I am back at my mom’s place. Yep, 36 years old and living at mom’s. In other words, I am undateable.
I passed the stupid GRE and will be starting the graduate program for Educational Technology. I know, I know, I’m a loser for not working full time and going to school full time and being able to support myself while going to school. All I can say to that is, find me a job that will pay for my graduate program and my living expenses and I will go to grad school part time instead and I can have my own place. However, this is reality and those jobs don’t exist with my kind of background. So, I said screw it, threw in the towel and I’ll be working just a little bit and focusing completely on my master’s. In two years, I can date again or at least not be looked down upon and finally have a damn career! | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/28/2007 5:00:38 PM | | I went back to school when I was 33 shortly after my father passed away the year before. I felt sad and it motivated me that I never finished more than my AS degree while he was living. So I did it for him and I did it for me, and finished my Bachelors of Business Administration in December of 2006. Took a year off, and now start my MBA with emphasis' in Finance and International Business. Also considering some other choies, but I want some options besides the same customer service job I've had the past ten years. However I paid the price as going back to school contributed (a little) t0 my separation and divorce (finalized in 2006). She wasn't supportive of my going back to school cuz I wasn't there to hold her hand and dote on her like I had, and it didn't surprise me that she wasn't supportive of that either. Oh, well it all works out I'm happier now and hope someday when I finish school and finish up all the issues from my divorce, house sale, financial situations, etc I will be back into the dateable market. I can sympathize on the being back home at 36, between my divorce, other issues like getting in shape, and working hard to improve myself, I would say I am undateable too. | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/29/2007 9:51:11 AM | chuckles1970:
Then together, we will get our master's and make money in a career which affords us to make choices upon many opportunities which would have never been available before. Once that is done, we will call the shots. Totally ridiculous that your wife leaves you because you want to improve your lives. I say good for you, a partner that won't hold your hand and dote on you when it's their turn, isn't much of a partner at all. But, I'm sure you know that.
These days, a bachelor's degree is like a highschool diploma (unless it is in a very specialized and urgently needed field). I found without a master's, you are pretty much stuck. I'm sure you felt the same way. Soon, no more being stuck. We'll be flowin'! | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/29/2007 10:59:13 AM | Went back to school and accomplished my Bachelors at 40....liked it so much, I went on and achieved my Masters at 42. The whole while, working full time, going to school full time and managing a household. I could not help but chuckle at the youth in my classes complaining that they didn't have time to get their assignments done...and pressed on to pull all-nighters to get my projects completed and in on time. All of this changed my whole outlook and drive for a career move and am now working in higher education and loving every minute of it!
Congrats to all who have taken the leap and have returned to school! | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/29/2007 11:03:56 AM | | I finished my graduate degree when I was 31, it was difficult, although not as hard as it would have been if I had been working full time, was married and had children. I admire people who work full time and go to school and manage to juggle it all and take care of children. Now I cannot seem to get motivated enough to persue another degree. | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/30/2007 4:23:00 AM | I'm doing the same.
Funny because I was told 10 years ago it was too late for me to start over. Times have changed. It IS a brave new world! GLOBAL!
And YES, it's tough as hell, but so was the past, so GIDDYUP! | |
|
| Going back to school in your 30's....
Posted: 12/30/2007 8:48:36 AM | Well, I finally finished college at age 29...basically 30. I went straight from high school to the freshman dorms at age 18...going on 16 in retrospect. During my first 6 years I completed 2 years of academic credit. However, I did spend a summer in the rockies alpine mountaineering, 2 years in Crested Butte, CO working as a mountain guide, successfully completed 6 Grateful Dead tours 100+ shows, and spent my entire college fund. I woke up one day when I was 26 and the light went off...all of suddent my life and my career were going to be a product of ME, not my parents. My college education and my future became important to me, not simply a chore my parents asked of me. I finished with a BBA in Accounting. I now work for a Fortune 50 company managing over 2 billion $$ in assets in the 401k arena. No matter what you do, if it is Basketweaving, selling Lemonade, or a IT analyst...just be good at what you do...and to be good you must have a passion for what you do...human beings are passionate about things that are important to them. A wise man named Jerry Garcia once said, "when you get confused just listen to the music play." It is never too late to pursue your dreams and passion in life. If I can do it, anyone can. Best of luck.
Rich | |
|
Home
login 
