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| Back in college after many years. Anyone else doing the same?
Posted: 3/22/2007 6:47:18 PM | Been there, done that 
At age 38 I went back to UPEI for my degree in business - the best move I ever made!
But I had the advantage that I was still single. I wholeheartedly support and respect you for doing this now with the responsibility of raising children.
But I can relate to your feeling it is "a lot of fun" !! I found it amazing how much fun it was to challenge professors as an equal (at least in age)  Some were up to the challenge, others found it hard to deal with - especially if I or other mature students shot holes in their academic theories. Life experience definitely gives you an advantage. And a perspective that traditional students just out of high school don't have - as smart and dedicated as they are.
Good luck with your studies!! If you ever need an "ear" there are lots of us who have been through the same thing and support you. | |
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| Back in college after many years. Anyone else doing the same?
Posted: 3/23/2007 3:23:09 AM | | Good for you!!!! I can relate to going to college and having a family to look after. I wasn't a single mom but I still had to do everything. I had been home for 14 years. It was a lot of fun. I was the oldest person in my class and probably drove the instructor crazy. She thought that as a "mature" student I would be a good example for the younger ones. I think she was disappointed in one way but glad that I was able to fit in. As peiromantic said, there is always an "ear" here for you. You can send a personal message if you like. Good luck!! | |
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| Back in college after many years. Anyone else doing the same?
Posted: 3/23/2007 3:25:33 AM | Hi peiromantic!
I applaud you for returning to UPEI as a mature student. It's great to hear that you also had fun while earning your business degree. By the sound of it, you must love what you do!
Thanks for writing in and sharing your experience on this forum. | |
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| Back in college after many years. Anyone else doing the same?
Posted: 3/23/2007 3:48:46 AM | Hi gennienut!
Thanks for writing in and for the encouragement. I, too, am the oldest person in my class. Most of the instructors are younger than me. At times, I've wondered ... why am I here? ... what was I thinking to do this? But, I have been learning and having fun. I'm making friends of all ages. At times I've been able to share some of my life experiences with a fellow classmate who is going through a similar circumstance that I had earlier. I've also sought help from some and I have helped others too. The instructors are great! They are kind and patient ... I'm sure at times they wonder about me ... will she ever get it!?! I do eventually.
My grades have been great so far. I haven't missed a day yet. It's taken a while to fit in and open up in class. I can laugh and goof with the rest of them!
Thanks for sharing your experience, gennienut! | |
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| Back in college after many years. Anyone else doing the same?
Posted: 3/23/2007 4:31:02 AM | When I look back and compare our experience with that of traditional students out of high school two things come to mind. One is that mature students have spent a lot of years with a lot of responsibility: holding down a job (or jobs), raising kids, paying bills, etc. Then we get to college or university and, at least at UPEI, I only had 15 hours of classes a week!!
So it seemed life was easier - which is when I decided to treat it like a job: I worked 40 hours a week on my courses, including class time. By the time Friday evening rolled around all my assignments were finished and I had the weekend free!! Of course that didn't include holding down two or three jobs!!
The other contrast with traditional students was that most of them were leaving home for the first time, getting freedom, no rules, eat when you want, sleep when you want, etc. For someone who has been working for years it seems quite the opposite - I had my own apartment, car, free time, friends my own age, etc.. Now I was studying 40 hours a week, holding down two or three part-time jobs, was squeezed into a dormitory room with people 15 years younger than me!! So it seemed that while traditional students had a boost in their lifestyle mine had deteriorated!!
But it was still the right thing to do, well worth it!! I have had great work ever since then and never regret it!! | |
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| Back in college after many years. Anyone else doing the same?
Posted: 3/23/2007 6:43:46 AM | A few years ago, I guess I was about 33/34, a single mom wiht a daughter at the time who was only 4/5 years old, went to college took up ECCE program. It was hard. If you have the support financially and have transportation you will do just fine. I had no car, and no financial help for half the course. Many challenges to say the least.
The learning part was fun thou. I was older and more mature than back in highschool, and i wasn't afraid to ask questions and I knew my learning style. I had a blast. And I was a good role model for my daughter. I agree with life experience it does help one get threw these courses. We have different perspectives going in. I had a different big picture.
Now I have a great job I love and many more learning/training opportunities from it. And finally have financial security than I did even 4 years ago. | |
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| Back in college after many years. Anyone else doing the same?
Posted: 3/23/2007 7:56:05 AM | Hello peiromantic!
Thanks for your most recent message. Sharing experiences here will hopefully encourage others who read the forum. I know I'm encouraged already. Thanks!
I have 20 hours of class per week but then there's the studying and projects/reports,etc. I haven't counted the number of hours I put into my studies each week. I just know it's a lot! It's sure paying off. My marks have been in the mid to high 90's! My kids and family think it's great and the support they have shown has been overwhelming at times. The college encourages you to get extra help when you need it from the instructors and classmates. The support has been tremendous!
Most of my classmates have been out of school for a few years and have been working. Some still live at home or have just moved out on their own. There are adjustments to be made no matter what one's circumstances are. With more freedom comes added responsibilities. It's all part of growing up and maturing as a person.
Like you, I know I'm where I'm supposed to be, doing what I'm doing. Don't get me wrong though ... I do second guess myself at times. I'm so looking forward to beginning my specialization in May. I know it's all worth it! | |
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| Back in college after many years. Anyone else doing the same?
Posted: 3/23/2007 8:05:28 AM | Hi sophieb223!
Single parenting is tough at the best of times. You want to make the right decisions for you without adversely affecting your child(ren). Ultimately, they will benefit from the choices you make, especially when it comes to furthering your education.
I'm happy for you and proud of you for having taken the huge step in returning to school. You must be so pleased with the positive results that have come about as a result of the many sacrifices you made to get your education. It sounds to me that you know it was well worth it! Thanks for sharing your experience in this forum! | |
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| Back in college after many years. Anyone else doing the same?
Posted: 4/9/2007 5:55:10 PM | | Interesting subject. I'm back in school after a19 year break. Break, single mom to 2 kids and have always worked ,this ,is more of a break. Found out I was starved for knowledge, the program I'm taking does not represent much of a challenge but has made me think about more education when I graduate this one. Chances are I'll get caught up in that world of work, kids and paying bills, but I can go back to university when I'm 65 for free can't I? | |
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cheers to all of you who have returned to school to better yourselves and families.
