Anyone go back to college after a few years?

[samshane]

I have a BA that I earned 15yrs ago... my major was in English and art. I worked in publishing for awhile, got married, had a family, and put the career on hold (I still freelance edit) to stay home with my children.

Well, about a year ago I went back to work at a college - and I have been thinking about pursuing a Master degree... hopefully in administration or organizational leadership. I feel it would be able to help me progress in my job - and it is something I am truly interested in. My DH is 100% supportive of this.

But - I haven't been in college in 15yrs! Other than some graphic art classes I took 11 yrs ago. I do have faith in myself though and feel I can do the work and do well - but the fact I have been out of class for 15yrs is what is scaring me.

Anyone go back after a number of years? Care to share some positive experiences? Thanks!

 

[phillmolly]

I am just finishing up my first year back since 1993! OMG, I can't belive it has been that long! Anyways I am really enjoying it, it is much different expercince than it was when I went right after high school. I feel like I am a much better student and the only person I am trying to get good grades for is me, not my parents. Also I want my DH and DS to be proud of me. I do sometimes find it hard to balance my schoolwork with my family needs. I end up doing a lot of homework and studing at night after I put my son to sleep. One thing I am very grateful for is that I don't have to work right now. I don't think I could handle going to school, working and taking care of my 19 month old! Two out the three are fine though, LOL! Good luck to you!

 

[iwrbnd]

I've been thinking about this, too. My degree is in education from 1990. I stayed home from teaching for many years and went back working for the school district 3 yrs ago but not in the classroom. With budget cuts I doubt I'll have a job next year. All I've ever done is work in the teaching profession and they aren't hiring. I have to get a job to pay my crack addiction (Disney) and to pay off my drug dealer (my DVC guide) so I'm either going to have to switch careers or work minimum wage somewhere! Problem is, in our small town even the fast food restaurants aren't hiring! This recession needs to end!

 

[LadyZolt]

I graduated high school in 1980 and took a few classes on and off over the years, but then went back to college full time in 2004, so I was in my early 40's. There were many others "over 40" in my classes. Usually, there was at least one. So, I say go for it. I really enjoyed sharing my experiences with the younger people in the class. I was in undergrad classes and was also worried about how I'd do, but I was totally motivated to finish my degree and in the end, I graduated summa cum laude. I'm so glad I didn't talk myself out of going back to school. I also had a supportive husband (he also went back to school in his 40's and got his BSN, so he was encouraging me to finish my degree, too). So, go for it and have fun!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[carole88]

I say go for it!!! My DH graduated from high school in 1981 and from college the first time in 1985. We were married in 1989 and he went back to college for a new undergrad in science in 1994. In 1996 he went to medical school and is currently a very successful pediatrician. It seemed like a long road at the time but it has definately paid off. As long as you have a great support system I think you will do great. I wish you the very best!

 

[cepmom]

I'm going back next month after 15 years! This will be my third attempt at a degree,lol. I went right out of high school and dropped out fairly quickly. Too much going on at home and in my personal life that I just couldn't manage it at the time. Second time was in 1994 after I had my first DD; went back part time for a degree in rad tech but dropped it after a couple years, which I regret now big time

I have been working pt retail for 5 years and I an so sick of it. I need to do something else so I decided to try and go back to finish my rad tech program. I'm starting slow, just one class at a time right now since I am still working and have youngish kids at home, but I am hoping to go full time next September. I am so nervous about being able to manage it all!

 

[tarheel618]

I'm right there with you. Starting researching master degree programs yesterday, it's been 10 years since I've been there and I turn 40 this year.

 

[nrsldy]

I went back to school 2 years ago for my masters in nursing. It had been 18yrs since I had been in school. My whole program so far has been on line. That was a challenge at first. I had to pay my DGS & DGS to help me with computer issues. I will graduate MAy 2011. Am I glad I went back to school, you bet!
Good luck!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I dropped out of college in 1960 and joined the Army to try to help myself grow up. That did not work, and I have never really grown up. However, I did go back to college in 1967 and took 96 Semester Hours in 24 months to graduate with honors in 1969 (I had about 30 transferable credits).

My first year in college, living in a dorm, I could not understand why the few veterans in the dorm did not party and were unhappy when we were noisy in the hall at weird hours.

I still have not decided to do when I grow up, but I am working at Disney World.

 

[luvmy2sams]

I graduated from college in 1995 and returned for a complete career change in 2008. Five more days on campus, and then I'll graduate summa cum laude on May 7th.

Going back after being home with my kids for 10 years was a bit of an adjustment. DH had to pitch in a bit more, and we hired a nanny to pick up the kiddos from school this semester while I've been student teaching. I was always a pretty good student, so I fell back into the pattern of reading and prepping for exams pretty easily. This career change was one of the best decisions I've ever made, so I say "go for it!"

 

[The Mayor]

I got my Masters in Engineering when I was 36 and my MBA when I was 43...it's never to late

 

[FireDancer]

I didn't take quites as long off but after H.S. I knew I wanted a college degree but neither knew what I wanted to be nor had the money to get that degree. My family had no money so I was going to have to pay for it myself and I didn't want any loans so I knew that would mean working full time while doing classes full time.

I went out and got a couple of jobs and finally found what I wanted to be, in computers but on the business side, not the science side. I graduated H.S. in 1996 and went to college in the fall of 2000 so it was 4 years and a couple of months. I love school and really missed it while I was gone. I didn't find it hard at all to gt back into the swing of things and while the 48 hour work week and 12-16 credit hours were tough I knew it was going to be worth it in the end.

I think far too often kids go right to college after H.S. without really knowing what they want to be and end up with degrees that are either worthless without a Masters or Doctorate or in something they can't stand. I also don't buy into the having to go away thing. It is great if you can afford it but I wouldn't go away and have $80,000 in debt if I could commute to a good 4 year college and get out scot free.

I plan on getting my masters when I have a little more time. Work will pay for a large part of it so why not? I don't think you are ever too old to go back and in some ways it is better to wait until you really know what you want. I don't know a lot of people who at 18 had a clear long term view of their career road map so there is an advantage to waiting.

 

[qtwns]

I got my undergrad in '87. I'll be finished with my masters next month! Its never too late!