Do you think 42 is too "old" to go back to college

[Lynn CC]

I'm not 42 yet, but when I enroll in fall of 2005 to go further my degree I will be. I don't feel 42.
Truthfully, will I feel funny with all those young college students?I always looked up to the older people in class when I was in college 20 years ago. But DS seems to think it's a rediculous idea, and that I won't be able to remember anything (do you think he's calling me an airhead? LOL )
He will be off to college that same fall and I think it's a good time in my life to concentrate on my career.
Has anyone else gone back?

 

[tkd lisa]

I think it's great! We had a lady in college when I was there who had worked while her DH was in college, and put her kids all the way through school before going back in her early 40s. I had tremendous respect for her, as did most of the other kids.

Best of luck!

 

[flaps]

IMO, one is never too old to "go back to school." If you want to and are able to, go for it! Best wishes.

 

[Bob NC]

How old will you be if you don't go back to college?

 

[onecoolmama]

I fully support education at any age!

 

[Christine]

I will also be going back to college at age 41. The difference is that I will be doing most of it all online because I work all day and cannot attend classes. But if I could attend regular classes, I would do it in a heartbeat. I bet you won't be the only one!

 

[ADisneygirl]

No, I do not think 42 is too old to go back to college. I don't think there is an age where one is "too old" to go. Many people nowadays enter college for the first time later in life. You will not look odd or be alone. Good luck to you and don't let anyone stand in the way of realizing your dreams.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Lynn, go for it. How about going to pre med school at age 54? Someone I know did it and got straight As. What it takes is a really burning desire to achieve.

You can do it if you have the desire.

 

[crz4mm2]

I have a friend that just started med school at age 46. So no, it is not too old. YOu will still be 42 if you don't go back to school!
Go and good luck.

 

[kasar]

Well, my grandfather got his Bachelor's Degree at 75 and was seriously considering Law School before he got too ill.

Go for it. Maybe you should tell your son that you're his new roommate!

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I think that you should go for it too! I'm sure that you'll see a lot of other students who are your age too.

good luck!

 

[Robinrs]

One of my classmates in college was Butterfly McQueen, who played Prissy in Gone With the Wind n 1939. She was 63 at the time.

 

[browneyes]

no, 42 isn't too old to go back to college.

 

[Saffron]

I went back to school when I was 42! I have an AS in Nursing that I got when I was young(er ), but now I want to teach. I went to a community college for the first two years and got an AA in Elementary Education, now I'm working on my BA in Elementary Education (acutally I have a duel major Early Childhood/Elementary Education). My boyfriend, who is 2 years younger than I just went back to school this spring! He is 44! He is working on an Associates degree to become a Paralegal. He already has a BA in Journalism. If all goes as planned he'll be 46 when he enters law school!

This has been my experience:
At the community college I fit right in! No one batted an eye, no one treated me any differently. There were tons of people my age! In one of my classes I became the "mom" to the class, which was a lot of fun, but for the most part I wasn't seen as an older person or someone who was out of place. I bet there were more older people there, like late 20's and up, then there were younger! I had one woman in one of my classes who was in her 70's. Another man was in my American History - Pre Civil War class and he was over 65, he just wouldn't tell us how old, just that he got the course for free because he was a senior citizen. Oh! And he didn't have to take any tests either, if he didn't want to, he wasn't earning a degree, he just wanted to learn.

At my 4 year college it's very different. I actually don't like it because I feel old there. The younger people are not that accepting of the age difference and I stick out like a sore thumb. There are only about 4 or 5 other people there my age, that's it and they aren't in any of my classes. It's uncomfortable for me. I understand though. The majority of the people in the school are 18 - 22 years old. There IS a generation gap. A lot of the students haven't been away from home before and they're living on campus, trying to find their own groups to fit in, and to them an old lady on campus IS odd!

The best experience of both colleges for me though ... I'm the same age as the majority of the professors. That, believe it or not, is a huge advantage for me! When I was younger and went to college for the first time, I saw the professors as people who were kind of aloof and for some reason I felt there was a wall between us. I went to my friends for help before the professors. Now it's exactly the opposite! I make friends with most of my professors. That has been a great experience! It's always nice to make new friends!

I say go for it! Do what you want to do and don't let anything hold you back! Just maybe don't go to the same school as your son, he might find that wayyyyyy too weird.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

A person is NEVER too old to learn something new.

 

[helenabear]

I'm another who doesn't think you can ever be too old to go back. When I was in college, there was a huge range of ages and all for undergrads. Personally I admire anyone who can go back... it was hard enough for me to stay in school as a 20-something

Good luck

 

[Christine]

I would like to also add that I am a much better "older" student than I was a younger one.

While I got good grades when I attended college the first time (back when I was 18), I did SO much better when I returned in my late 20s. I swear I was just so much more open minded, confident, and able to come up with stuff than at 18. I was certainly a much better writer when I was older and I also did better in literature. I guess because of the confidence I had later and the ability to be more analytical. That definitely comes with time and experience.

 

[tandrjohn]

It is never too late to go back to school!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think it is great, Lyn, and it sure can help the FAFSA!!!!

 

[bjgrazi]

Heck no. I just got my degree at the age of 41 and am getting ready to continue on. Go for it, you'll do great because you want to be there.