Life of an Older College Student...AKA

[Stacerita]

Still working at it. Some days are a breeze, others are heck. Semester is halfway over so I am on the down slope. Thankfully I had sense enough not to over do it like I have in previous semesters. So things are alright.

 

[Alaska DogCat]

I went back to college at age 30. I returned to the same college I had "stopped out" of at age 21. At age 31, I was president of my student body--a population of 8,000 students. The skills I learned as a non-traditional student have served me well in the decade plus since I graduated. I appreciated the experience a lot more and learned a lot more as a result. There were times that I felt my age, but I made the best out of it and those years were some of the best of my life.

Education is wasted on the young. You need a few years of struggle to appreciate an education.

 

[TrixieBel]

So glad this came to life again!

Halfway through the semester for me too. I'm doing 2 subjects (6 units) each semester and my subjects for this one are Human Anatomy and a paper called The Thread of Life which is all about DNA.

I'm loving the DNA paper but have been disappointed because my on-campus tutor is from a non-English speaking background and it's him that I've had to hand my 2 assignments into. My first essay assignment I was really proud of and it was probably the best thing I've written - and I got it back with a very average mark and no usable feedback. I was able to compare my essay with a couple of others and one of my classmates read through mine and assured me that I'd been "hard done by" in the marking... But there's nothing I can do about it... I've now handed in my second essay and I tried to make the language a lot more basic (which is not supposed to be the way it is for our science subjects) and we'll see what happens with this.

Human Anatomy has been challenging and I had to work/study VERY hard prior to my first on-campus session the other week. I was shocked to get there and discover that the majority of people under the age of 25yrs had made no effort to study prior - even knowing we were having a Quiz and that it's required that you pass EVERY INDIVIDUAL part of this subject to get a final pass! Anyway, I'm please to say that the marks were posted the other day and I came first equal with 1 other person...

Now just another Quiz, 2 x Practical Exams, 1 computer assignment and 2 final exams to go by the end of November!

Good luck everyone else...

regards

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Thank you for this thread. I just sent my youngest off to first grade and I have been thinking a lot about the next step in my life. I've been a SAHM for 11 years. Now, I'm considering college. It scares and excites me all at once. I look forward to reading these stories and sharing my own when I finally get the courage to take the plunge myself.

 

[Cindy B]

So glad this came to life again!


I'm loving the DNA paper but have been disappointed because my on-campus tutor is from a non-English speaking background and it's him that I've had to hand my 2 assignments into. My first essay assignment I was really proud of and it was probably the best thing I've written - and I got it back with a very average mark and no usable feedback. I was able to compare my essay with a couple of others and one of my classmates read through mine and assured me that I'd been "hard done by" in the marking... But there's nothing I can do about it... I've now handed in my second essay and I tried to make the language a lot more basic (which is not supposed to be the way it is for our science subjects) and we'll see what happens with this.





Good luck everyone else...

regards

I found what you said about plain language very interesting. It is a sign of a very good writer when they use a complex subject and convert it into plain language.

 

[luvsJack]

Hi! Just found this thread. I am 45 and am 3 classes from finishing my Associates Degree! At our campus (I work at the college too) the majority of our students are "non-traditional" and we have quite a few that are 10-12 years older than I am. A lot are soldiers that are getting out and the military is paying for them to go back to school. But it is a very different experience at 45 than it was at 21.

My sister got her teaching degree in her 30's (shes in her 50's now) and at that time she was the only older student in most of her classes. In one class they were discussing the 60's and she was telling them things from experience and memory--it blew their minds! The other students couldn't believe she was "soo old!"

 

[Took]

As a comm college prof, please let me add to all of you that I LOVE getting "returning" students in my classes. They work hard, are thoughtful, and contribute very meaningfully to the class atmosphere. Good luck to you all!

 

[MassJester]

I went back to college at age 40. Completed my bachelor of science, went on and completed law school, and now amd getting a post graduate degree in international law--I love being back in school (even at night).

Kudos to the OP and to everyone else for the non traditional adventures.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I'm 39 and started going back to school this past August. I'm getting my degree in Elementary Education. I started out with just one class...Psychology and I'm carrying an "A" right now! I only need 3 more classes for my AA(I have actually been going to this college since 94! WHOA...OVER 10 YEARS AND STILL NO DEGREE) and then hopefully next fall I will start on my BA! Hoping to be done by the time I'm 41. I should have had a degree LONG time ago, but I got lazy and just didn't care anymore. My son DEFINITELY changed that for me! I don't want to be waiting tables when I'm 50 years old! One of my regular customers told me she was 50 when she got her BA! So she told me I was WAY ahead of her in the going back to school at a late age. Or should that be way BEHIND her since I'm younger?? I'm excited, but nervous. Hope everything works out for me.

 

[Gina]

Rolling merrily along here... ("Merrily" meaning I'm pulling all my hair out. LOL) I am finally a Senior now, and running out of things to take! So brilliant me decided to take an upper level Physics course on solar energy. I thought it would be interesting, which it is, but I have never taken Physics and didn't realize it would be all math. Okay, I took one algebra class 20 years ago, and failed miserably. I can't add 2 and 3 without a calculator, and will never ever grok the concept of counting with letters and weird hieroglyphics. So, not doing so well in that class... I'm just hoping to pass.

Two weeks without power didn't help this semester, but I felt very gratified by one thing. I had two big homework assignments (24 mini essay questions) due for my Juvenile Delinquency course right in the middle of Ike. My professor was nice enough to give me a couple extra days, I found a McDonalds with both power and WiFi (a true miracle at that point), and I drug my son up there to eat pancakes and sausage while I worked. About a week later the prof sent an email to the class saying that while there were a couple of good scores, there were a whole lot of bad ones, and he wondered if people just didn't read the questions properly. I was totally depressed and scared to go look at my grades, but I got A's on both assignments! I was verrrrry happy.

The most interesting course I'm taking this semester is an upper level PoliSci course on "Religion and Politics in America." Fascinating, timely stuff, and a great professor.

I'm just so happy to be able to finally see light at the end of the tunnel... I will finally graduate next fall. Started this degree in '83... and have been working on this attempt since '05. I would love to take more classes and be done with it, but I can't take more than 9 hours a semester and still have room for work and my son.

I hope everyone is having a great semester so far!!

 

[LoraJ]

So far I am getting A's in my two classes. However, that may change once I take the finals. I am horrible at tests.

I really struggle with writing my papers for my history class. It just doesn't come naturally for me. With my computer class I can babble forever and feel confident in what I am writing about. But not with history. I got an A on my first paper, but I really hated the paper. Maybe I am just more critical of my own work now than when I was younger.

I have a paper due in two weeks, 6 of those days I will be away at Disney and I dont have one paragraph written yet. Yipes!!!

 

[KilimanjaroSafaris]

well, I always hated school and just was not good in it. being I am an artist by trade, I can no longer do it. So I went back to school in my 40's. I now have graduated and am in school again to get my BS in Biology ~more detailed... cell & molecular biology to do research and development! I LOVE school as an adult. And being I fit right in at school and have a lot of much younger friends...I have a blast!
I study most times with kids my own daughters age! that part is funny, but they keep you young!

I would not give up on it for anything and plan to continue my education, age is all in your mind!

oh and in school (high school) I was a D student. I now carry a 3.7 GPA and have graduated with honors in SCIENCES of all things!
so hang-in there...it is fun and awesome and keeps your mind sharp!

 

[LoraJ]

Now that the semester is winding down, just checking in with everyone.

My finals were this past week. I thought I was going to fail my history one. We had to write 3 500 word essays. They gave us a list of 16 and we had no clue which would be on the test. Two out of the 3 subjects I got I was comfortable with and was able to write 700-1000 words but I didn't do so well on the other essay. But I ended up with a B. I was thrilled. I got a B on my other final as well.

I am so relieved. I have never been good at tests and usually got C's or D's. I think it helped that I was taking it on a computer and not using the #2 pencil and thinking I had too many A's marked in a row.

I am switching schools. There isn't much in my field at UMUC and I found a better program at City University of Seattle. They also have an online program. They do quarters instead of semesters. Hoping I can handle the workload. They have the class syllabus available before you sign up so it makes it easier to pick classes.

I am hoping to finally get my BA in 4 - 5 years.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Hey, Tig! I didn't see this before. Congrats on your return to school!

What are you going to be when you grow up? If you're not too far into it, let me plug nursing. It's hard at school (but I'd help you - write all your care plans) and it's not the easiest job in the world, BUT you stay busy at work, so the time flies by AND there isn't a more rewarding job on the planet.

Whatever you do, I know you'll do well.

I've been thinking about going for a masters. I know I'd be old and I don't give a ****. So you shouldn't, either.

 

[TrixieBel]

I finished my 2 final exams 2 weeks ago and went to the dr the next day about my painful gallbladder - probably going to end up having surgery this week I think...

Our final results are all released on the 19th (Friday).

Anyway, I'm not at all worried about my DNA subject - I went into it with 45.25% out of 50% for the term stuff - and the exam was pretty easy so I'm hoping for a Distinction.

My Anatomy subject is another matter. I went into it having passed all the term assignments/quizzes/pracs but the exam was pretty nasty. I have to pass the exam and have a minimum total mark of 60% to pass the subject. At this point I'd be happy to get a Pass or a Conceded Pass...

I'll let you all know on Friday/Saturday (if I'm not in hospital at that point)...

 

[marypoppinswannabe]

Just found this thread. Wished I would have found it earlier in the semester. I am 38 and this was my last semester. I now have a BS degree. But this was, without a doubt, the hardest semester to get motivated. I am SOOO thankful that I have finally finished and will start grad school either next fall or spring of 2010. But for sure, I will be taking a bit of a break. I have worked full-time and gone to school full-time for the past 2 years.

Anyway, for the rest of you who have just started or are in the midst of it, hang in there!!! It will be over before you know it.

 

[jennseiler]

Hi everyone!
I'm kinda of non-traditional student. I'm 25 years old and have just completed my second semester of my sophomore year (since I dropped one of my classes this semester, I will be a third semester sophomore in the spring).
I am currently attending Millersville University, which is a state-owned university and I am in most classes with the 22 year old and under crowd. Even though there is a small age difference between me and my classmates, it is extremely noticeable. In fact, I have only met 2 other people in my classes that are actually older than me.
I do admit that I don't talk about my age that much, but when the topic comes up, I tend to shock fellow students and professors when they find out my age. In fact, recently I had to show my driver's license to my spanish 101 professor. He didn't believe me when I told him my age!
Good luck everyone!

 

[can84]

Just found this thread. Wished I would have found it earlier in the semester. I am 38 and this was my last semester. I now have a BS degree. But this was, without a doubt, the hardest semester to get motivated. I am SOOO thankful that I have finally finished and will start grad school either next fall or spring of 2010. But for sure, I will be taking a bit of a break. I have worked full-time and gone to school full-time for the past 2 years.

Anyway, for the rest of you who have just started or are in the midst of it, hang in there!!! It will be over before you know it.

Congratulations, that's great! You must be feeling
I have two paragraphs left to write on my last paper for the semester, and just can't do it. Oh well, it's not due until Monday, hopefully I can figure something out by then!

 

[pigletgirl]

Thats great!

I have 2 older people in my Chemistry class. They help everyone else grow up. They are about 35ish.

 

[ksumn1]

I'm jin the beginning of my "college" career. Went to tech college off and on for 6 years and decided to bite the bullet and go back to a University and get my teaching degree. I start January 6 so I'm in the midst of worrying over Finacial Aid, my work schedule and just how I actually plan on doing it all. Work, school, 2 kids with basketball then softball AND a DH who works out of town Sunday night-Thursday night!!! I know it'll work out with good time management, lots of caffeine and pure stubborness on my part.

I'm trying to figure out a possible school schedule now and it's so hard. Many of the classes are M/W/F but I really want to do T/Th this 1st semester. Very challengins as my choices are limited especially if I want to have a balance schedule. Even with a M/W/F schedule it's hard to piece a workable schedule together considering I have to be a day student to be home with DD's in the evening. I think I have it but I'd like an opinion on my schedule if you don't mind.

T/Th classes only
PolySci1101 American Government 8:00-9:15 am
Math 1111 College Algebra 10:30-10:45 am
Geography 1013 World Geography 11:00-12:15 pm
English 1101 Basic Composition 2:00-3:00 pm

It looks a little rough even on paper but I like that it's 2 days and I can work Monday and Friday and just 4 hours on Wednesday. I also get out early and can stay at school until 5:20 to work and study. Then have Saturday to work or study as well as Sunday. Am I being totally crazy thinking I can do this class schedule?