Life of an Older College Student...AKA

[can84]

I agree about the cataloging thanks!

 

[denisenh]

47 and back in school... just started my 3rd semester and its all been on campus! I love it! I work part time and have 3 kids, mid 20's to pre-teen....I don't see myself slowing down anytime soon!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I got my first degree at age 23, but then got in a nowhere job for 4 years. I wanted to do something more, in particular something that paid better, so I went back to school full-time at 28. Boy, was I scared!

It meant quitting my job and moving to a small college town. It meant working my tail off and living very frugally for the following 3 years. But I did it, I graduated and got a great job.

There was even a woman in our computer classes, a mom in her 40s or 50s with teenagers, I believe. She took one class every quarter. I think she said it was going to take her 10 years to finish her degree, but she was determined! I can't remember if she was a "junior" or "senior" at that point, but she was inspiring!

Of course, now I'm a SAHM with two college degrees... but that part of my story doesn't pertain to you.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I am 44 and in my last year of school. I will have my history degree in Dec. and my education degree in May. It has taken me six years to do this. It was so hard, I"ll be so glad it's done and I'm so glad I did it. You will not feel out of place. UMBC is very similar to the school I"m going to (my son attended UMBC). It's largely a commuter college with a fairly large non-traditional crowd. UMBC is especially this way because of their focus on sciences and the tendency to have a large number of international students. You will find your way and love it. Non-traditional students are better students IMHO.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hey, I'm 48 and going back to school.

I started to get my BA over 25 years ago, and just now am going back to finish what I started. But, this time I'm changing it to a BS. I'm going to Cal State Dominguez Hills.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I was in a very small University program when went to school and of the 15 in my core classes one was near your age. She was the one that I wanted to work with on group projects, studying etc.. She was much more dedicated and focused and school was a high priority.

They students my age had other things as their priority--boyfriends, parties, Sorority stuff, etc..

Congratulations on going back.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Hey, I'm 48 and going back to school.

I started to get my BA over 25 years ago, and just now am going back to finish what I started. But, this time I'm changing it to a BS. I'm going to Cal State Dominguez Hills.

BS is what I do best, too.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. It's nice to hear about so many of you returning.

It was funny on Friday in my first social work class. The older woman who sat down at my table was talking with me (we were instant chatterboxes with each other) and we figured out that she went to the same high school that my kids go to. She mentioned having her 30th high school reunion and I thought to myself that she didn't look THAT old...then I realized that next year is mine. How did that happen? There is no way I'm that old.

Offtopic, but Scrappy you'd like a portrait that was taken of my siblings and me...all of us 5, including the brothers had on boas and the lady put tiaras on all of us girls. That was a sight.

Tomorrow morning I start my community college Spanish class. WTH was I thinking having class at 9:30 when I don't usually get up until around 10am? Will do me good to get up and around, but I am going to have to stop going to bed at 2AM. I didn't do that when I went to college all those years ago.

Tiggeroo, I'll be at the commuter college satellite campus, so all commuter student. I actually expected more older students than I saw on my first day, but all is good. I've been lazing around too many years and it feels so good to be starting this even though I'm pretty scared about the courseload.

 

[Cindy B]

BS is what I do best, too.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. It's nice to hear about so many of you returning.


Tiggeroo, I'll be at the commuter college satellite campus, so all commuter student. I actually expected more older students than I saw on my first day, but all is good. I've been lazing around too many years and it feels so good to be starting this even though I'm pretty scared about the courseload.

Dont worry about the courseload. I will give you one little tidbit of advice... DON"T do 7 classes in one semester-- I will drive you insane. I did it and I would not recommend that on my worst enemy.

 

[DisneyKT]

I am so glad I opened this post. It gives me hope that I still will go to college.
I am in my late 30's two kids, nine and two years old. It's very daunting to think about sometimes.

Good Luck to all of you.

 

[Stacerita]

I decided to go back to school last year and will graduate in Spring. Its been hard work, no lying there. I did two sememster of full time plus, but decided to take less this semester and stay one more. Not what I had planned, but what I needed to do. Working full time and being a single parent is hard enough. I learned the hard way and almost stopped. Go easy on yourself and don't be worried about students being younger. Take it easy and try not to stress. The best thing is to be organized and keep up on top of things.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Take it easy and try not to stress. The best thing is to be organized and keep up on top of things.

Awww crap I'm in trouble then!

Seven classes Cindy?

DisneyKT, I wish I'd started when my kids were younger and taken a class each semester until I could go fulltime. I could have knocked off the various classes that are not a part of my major and now would have been a lot easier.

I should really be in bed right now since I do have a morning class. So not good at going to bed early.

 

[Took]

After 10 years of teaching at the two-year-college level, let me add my perspective. "Returning students" are (almost always) a joy to have in class and a pleasure to teach since they are almost always very hard working and offer few excuses. They seem to value the hard work that goes into teaching and they bring a maturity that truly elevates the mood of the classes they're in. They are often quite diffident about their skills, frequently worrying that "I haven't been in a class in years!" but they generally do well, often much better than their younger classmates.

Good luck to all "returners" on these boards. I hope you come to my class!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks Took!

I had Spanish this morning. This is the community college class. To say that the kids in the class where not excited to be there would be an understatement. Very different from my other class, through the university, which only upperclassmen are in. It will be fine, though. I just hope I can do ok with the foreign language. I have some memory issues that will likely mean I'll have to put twice as much time in learning it than the average student.

Oh, one wonderful thing that my 17yo told me this summer when I realized I'd need to take a foreign language and was half griping about having to take Spanish. He said, "Mom, you don't have to take Spanish, you get to take Spanish. This is a good thing to be able to take. He's absolutely right and after that speech from him (damn those parenting words that came back to bite me in my butt ) I really tried to change my attitude about it all. He's my inspiration for sure.

 

[TrixieBel]

lolol. Sounds like you've taught your son well!

I understand about the memory issues. I'm doing Human Anatomy this semester and I can remember all the bones with no problem - but the muscles of the upper leg are DRIVING ME CRAZY. The will not stick in my 43yr old brain...

Good luck!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Checking in to see how it's going with all you students.

I've survived the first half of the semester almost in one piece. I had a real hard time in Spanish--just wasn't keeping up--and I dropped it. I will have to take it again, but hopefully I will be a bit more prepared for it and will do better. Other than that, my classes are going pretty well. Not exactly sure how I'm doing in most of my classes since I don't have a couple grades back, but I sure am enjoying being at school. I don't like the homework and the studying, and have a couple group projects and a paper coming up, but once I get through whatever I'm dreading I have a pretty good attitude. Every accomplishment boosts my confidence, so that's been a big positive. Dropping out of Spanish knocked me down a peg, but it's ok--I can't expect to get everything right the first try...some things take a helluva lot of effort.

 

[Anewman]

Not exactly a "returning" student.

But I have been taking classes of interest ever since I graduated. Mostly stuff like PC or photography programs at local JCs or CSUs.

 

[honugirl]

Add me to the list of crazy people who thought going to school would be a good idea... I've started with one distance learning course from Western Washington University. I'm trying to deal with a brain tumor and a rare disease, looking towards brain surgery in the next few months, but I needed something to keep myself occupied. I'm hoping to go back to school full time when all is said and done......

I'm taking women and literature and I'm currently working on my first paper! Talk about scary!!!!!!!!

This might be the worst idea I've ever had, it also might be the best, you never know.....

 

[Cindy B]

I just found this thread.

Yes, seven classes.... don't ever do it!

I'm glad to hear you are doing well. This is the half way mark.

 

[luvmy2sams]

After being a SAHM for almost 10 years, I went back to college in January to work towards a second degree. I only took 6 hours in the spring and a 4 hour class over the summer, but I'm now in the middle of a 15-hour semester. It hasn't been as overwhelming as I expected it to be, and I'm loving all of my classes. Three more semesters and I'm done...until I start working for my Masters and eventually for my PhD.

We're close to an army base, which means lots of non-traditional students on campus. I still dread that first day of class, though, and am thrilled when I see others that are around my age.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I thought I'd share with you all something that encouraged me to go back to school as an older student, and might encourage you to stick with it if things get tough:

I was unhappy in a dead-end job, and not making much money to live on. I wanted to go back to college, but felt a bit foolish about it. I was a big Dear Abby fan, and it just so happened that someone wrote in to say it had always been his/her dream to go back to college, but four years of schooling at his/her current age was daunting, noting s/he would be X years old by then.

Abby's reply: And how old will you be if you don't go back to school to achieve your dream?