OT--trying college (again)...so nervous!

[lyncecelia]

So...I just applied to go back to school for next semester. I have to take a few classes at the local CC to get my GPA up, then I can transfer to the local University...the program I would be doing lets me get my bachelors and masters in 5 years (less for me since my Gen Eds would be practically done.)...

Thing is I'm REALLY nervous....

I've sucked at the college thing when I was younger...I was terrible at it. I'm not stupid though. I was doing HS credits in MS and was SO bored in HS that I ended up getting my GED to leave early...I was THAT bored.

But when I got to college, I was at a standstill. I never needed to study before then....so I failed half my classes...

Then that winter break I had a stroke and my world was turned upside down. Now my whole family (minus my parents) were against me going to college because I'd no longer "be able to handle it". At home, I had to practically raise my sister and deal with constant yelling making it impossible to study (which I stunk at anyway). So the constant pressure from all corners caused me to drop most of my courses every semester....I now have a 2.16 GPA...

Then I tried Culinary School....and the constant noise in the kitchen led to panic attacks

I want to go back to college...I want to major in psychology and get my degree....but I'm so nervous that I won't be able to do it AGAIN and am wasting my time AND money....I can't even announce it on FB because I can just picture everyone rolling their eyes and saying "again? Seriously?"....

I already have money out in loans (under 10k but still....) and refuse to take more out....more debt scares me half to death.

My ultimate goal is a doctorate...but I'm terrified...what if everyone was right?

Ugh I just don't know what to do. I KNOW this is off topic but I don't know where else to turn lol.

Thanks for listening...

 

[natenapril]

I went back to school a few years ago when I was 29. BEST decision I have made for myself! Like you I was worried how well I would do but I think being "older" brings more responsibility and drive to succeed!!
Congrats on the decision and I am sure you will do great!

 

[Hannathy]

Why don't you start by taking 1 course? Keep the rest of your life constant as it is and just take 1 course to get back into the swing of things and to get your confidence up. Plus 1 course would be more affordable and not need more loans.

Don't jump in over your head if you aren't sure you can swim-it will lead to a disaster.

 

[momof1princess]

i know you can do it, but if it makes you really nervous, why not do as hannathy suggested, and try 1 or 2 classes to start with, just to get you back into the "school groove". best of luck! i wish i was that brave-still can't find a job to save my life!

 

[StephMK]

How is your health and tolerance for noise now? Is your DBF supportive? Are the kids semi-independent? I don't know your age or if you work. If you can swing it, it might be good to start slow & work your way up as you gain more confidence.

Will you regret it more if you don't do it?

I went back at age 39. I was not a good student the first time around. Too much partying, very little studying. I know how you feel about sharing the decision with family. I'd started & stopped applying for about 3 yrs before I finally went through with it. It was hard telling people since I know I'd told them I was applying a few times already.

However I knew I'd regret it if I didn't just finally try. I'll graduate in May. Honestly, despite the stress, I could not be happier!!!

It has been hard & I could not have done it w/o DH pitching in & taking over some house & kid duties, more than normal. There have been some very late nights & stressful times but I also LOVE my program and most of it doesn't feel like work since I enjoy what I'm learning.

The toughest part is just juggling family & school. It can be done but you have to be able to let others take over, be willing to not always be completely available to the kids & just do what you can.

I wish you luck & feel free to email me if you want support along the way!!!

 

[pintamino]

Also see if your CC offers any online classes. It's a different style of learning, and you may find it a better fit for you! Good luck.

 

[lyncecelia]

I went back to school a few years ago when I was 29. BEST decision I have made for myself! Like you I was worried how well I would do but I think being "older" brings more responsibility and drive to succeed!!
Congrats on the decision and I am sure you will do great!

Thanks This helped lol.

Why don't you start by taking 1 course? Keep the rest of your life constant as it is and just take 1 course to get back into the swing of things and to get your confidence up. Plus 1 course would be more affordable and not need more loans.

Don't jump in over your head if you aren't sure you can swim-it will lead to a disaster.

i know you can do it, but if it makes you really nervous, why not do as hannathy suggested, and try 1 or 2 classes to start with, just to get you back into the "school groove". best of luck! i wish i was that brave-still can't find a job to save my life!

I like this idea as well, however, I can't get financial aid unless I'm full-time....so that makes it difficult...

How is your health and tolerance for noise now? Is your DBF supportive? Are the kids semi-independent? I don't know your age or if you work. If you can swing it, it might be good to start slow & work your way up as you gain more confidence.

Will you regret it more if you don't do it?

I went back at age 39. I was not a good student the first time around. Too much partying, very little studying. I know how you feel about sharing the decision with family. I'd started & stopped applying for about 3 yrs before I finally went through with it. It was hard telling people since I know I'd told them I was applying a few times already.

However I knew I'd regret it if I didn't just finally try. I'll graduate in May. Honestly, despite the stress, I could not be happier!!!

It has been hard & I could not have done it w/o DH pitching in & taking over some house & kid duties, more than normal. There have been some very late nights & stressful times but I also LOVE my program and most of it doesn't feel like work since I enjoy what I'm learning.

The toughest part is just juggling family & school. It can be done but you have to be able to let others take over, be willing to not always be completely available to the kids & just do what you can.

I wish you luck & feel free to email me if you want support along the way!!!

The kids live with their mom, so we only have them here on the weekends. So I don't have those responsibilities right now.

I think I would regret it if I didn't finish my degree....I don't want to be working at the mall the rest of my life, ya know?

My health is doing better now. I'm working on the noise tolerance, and it hasn't given me any issues lately. I'm in therapy etc for it, so that helps. I also have vocational therapy and she actually took me to UNH today so that helped too...

Also see if your CC offers any online classes. It's a different style of learning, and you may find it a better fit for you! Good luck.

I've tried online classes before....I don't know why, but they didn't work for me

Thanks for the well-wishes though I really appreciate it.


Thank you everyone! I'm just really nervous right now, lol. DBF and I have been talking about it, it's now just a matter of me actually starting classes.... Lol.

 

[natenapril]

Thanks

I think I would regret it if I didn't finish my degree....I don't want to be



I've tried online classes before....I don't know why, but they didn't work for me

Thanks for the well-wishes though I really appreciate it.


Thank you everyone! I'm just really nervous right now, lol. DBF and I have been talking about it, it's now just a matter of me actually starting classes.... Lol.

I really dislike online classes as well. I am taking them right now due to a potential move but I still don't like them

 

[momof1princess]

Thanks This helped lol.





I like this idea as well, however, I can't get financial aid unless I'm full-time....so that makes it difficult...



The kids live with their mom, so we only have them here on the weekends. So I don't have those responsibilities right now.

I think I would regret it if I didn't finish my degree....I don't want to be working at the mall the rest of my life, ya know?

My health is doing better now. I'm working on the noise tolerance, and it hasn't given me any issues lately. I'm in therapy etc for it, so that helps. I also have vocational therapy and she actually took me to UNH today so that helped too...



I've tried online classes before....I don't know why, but they didn't work for me

Thanks for the well-wishes though I really appreciate it.


Thank you everyone! I'm just really nervous right now, lol. DBF and I have been talking about it, it's now just a matter of me actually starting classes.... Lol.

you can do it!

 

[Calliaz]

I am sure you will do great. I teach a number of college students in exactly your situation. The #1 thing is to have home support. The #2 thing is to have good expectations. You should want to do well, but focus more on learning than getting perfect grades.

If you still have difficulties remaining from the stroke, make sure you contact disability services at your school and request accommodations. They should be willing to offer you more time, provide materials you can listen to instead of read, etc. Finally, don't be afraid to take advantage of your school's tutoring or writing center (if they have one). It always amazes me when students struggle but won't take advantage of the free workshops we offer.

Good luck!

 

[pintamino]

I really dislike online classes as well. I am taking them right now due to a potential move but I still don't like them

They're definitely not for everybody! I actually had a lot of trouble with my first few but once I got used to my school's course management system and pacing my work they worked well for me. But I also usually have 4 to 5 traditional classes a semester as well -- it's all about what your school offers and what works for you!

 

[dallastxcpa]

You can do it. I too never had to study in MS and HS. When I started college what a shocker. I also ruined my GPA.

Then one day I was sitting in my Political Science class and what the professor said changed my life. he said "look to your left, now look to your right. Statistics show that only one of you will actually graduate college." I made my mind up right then that it was going to be me graduating.

My GPA was lower than yours and I brought it up to a 3.0 by the time I finished. It took me a while but I did it. I then dedicated myself to passing the Certified Public Accounting exam and I did that also.

You can do it. just start back slowly. Also, be sure and go online and read reviews of the professors you are going to sign up for. There is nothing worse than knowing what you are doing but getting a terrible professor that just makes everyones life hell.

 

[scbelleatheart]

I loved my online classes to finish up. I could do it from anywhere as long as I had internet and the 2 week grace period was wonderful. Each class was 9 weeks but you had 2 weeks after that to finish your finals so if you are really busy with your job, you just fit it in to your time frame.
I think you will make an excellent psychologist. The best ones are those who have lived through it and can really understand where their clients are coming from. DD is an adolescent psychologist, soon to get her Doctorate. She claims it was because she had so many brothers!
You'll be fine and I wish you the best!

 

[disfan07]

I definitely agree with contacting disabilities services at the school. They can tell you if they actually have any service sthat would benefit you.

I couldn't go off to college right after highs chool because my health was not under control so I went to CC for 2 years (I took a year off). I am finishing up my first quarter at UC Irvine. I just had brain surgery this past june and I am having more surgery in 3 weeks.

I am registered with disabilities at my school. I dont get any services based on my surgery (My neuropsych eval. came back normal after surgery) but I get genreal medical related services. For me, that means that my teachers know ahead of time that I might miss class for appts or hospitalizations and under no circumstance can they deny me teh chance to make up anything I might miss.
For the winter quarter, I will also get a discount handicap parking pass for 5 weeks while I am recovering from surgery in addition to my general accomodations. I also meet with my disabilities cousnelor once every quarter just to discuss how things are going, if anything has changed, etc.

I think, since you didnt have to study in high school, that was probably one of your biggest priblems in college. I know A LOT of people like that. I know of 4 people who graduated high school with 4.0 or greater but they were put on probation after their first semester becaus ethey did so badly in their classes. They didnt know HOW to study. You have to realize that you will have to study for your classes. I also suggest only taking 1 or 2 classes. That will get you used to the amount of time you will have to dedicate to your classes.

Good Luck!

 

[Leajess99]

You CAN do it. If your school offers online courses than I would highly recommend those. I love taking online courses as it let me work when I have the time and I can work around the kids' activities and such. I am graduating this month and while it has been hard, I refused to give up as I want my kids to know that college is important and give them every opportunity.

Just Believe even if no one else believes in you.

 

[libraryfreak]

College is much different when you go back as an adult. You have a totally different appreciate for it, especially when you're paying for it. I think you'll do fine.

That being said, please reconsider majoring in Psychology. A four year degree in it is kinda worthless, you really need at least a masters if not a phd before you can actually use it. Check with your schools placement department, see what they say. I could be wrong (it's happened before!), but I don't want you going 4 years and then not being able to find a job.

Good luck to you!

 

[Teacher03]

You can do it! I graduated from college at the age of 40! I went to college right out of high school, and did not do well at all. I eventually left during the middle of my second year. Fast forward 20 years; I graduated summa cum laude! I tell everyone, if I can do it, you can do it. Good luck to you, it won't always be easy, but so worth it.

 

[scbelleatheart]

You CAN do it. If your school offers online courses than I would highly recommend those. I love taking online courses as it let me work when I have the time and I can work around the kids' activities and such. I am graduating this month and while it has been hard, I refused to give up as I want my kids to know that college is important and give them every opportunity.

Just Believe even if no one else believes in you.

Very nice post!

 

[DawnM]

You can do it!

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I just went back to school this year in January. The number one thing you need to know before you start is that your brain will literally hurt. (You'll read all about this in your psychology classes.) You are using parts of your brain that have been dormant. You are also forcing your brain to think in abstract ways, when most of our day to day living is very hands on. At the same time your brain is firing neurons trying to make new connections. YOWZA!

You need to be aware of how you think, how you learn, and what works for you. (To me is sounds like you have already been thinking about all of this!)

I earned my first degree, in public relations, back in 1983. I had a 3.0 grade point average. I too went from breezy high school to smack in your face HARD work in college. (They do a much better job now with college level courses in high school for preparation.)

I am going back to school to teach K-8th grade. I had to take more math classes and another science lab. I STINK in those areas. So I geared up ahead of time. I got math work books, and did math for 30 minutes 5 days a week. Then when math began I was already "running," and it didn't smack me in the face.

Next line up a tutor. Meet with them a minimum of once a week. These are often FREE on campus, and available at the 2 year college as well. Have a set date in place. You WILL have questions and this makes is easier to learn.

Next wipe out all those voices that say you will fail. Those are your own voices and those of others. My mom and dad thought college was stupid. They were not supportive at all. My mom thinks it's just as dumb now.

I have always been a full time student and I've had homework every single night. I don't know how much homework you will have, but you have to schedule and think about this AHEAD of time. Where will you study?

Is college different the second time around? Yes and no. I paid for school the first time around and I was extremely motivated. I am extremely motivated now. I loved my first degree choice and I love this one, so perhaps I am different than most returning students.

Remember that each class is different, even within psychology courses. You will take one and it will click and be fantastic, but perhaps another one will be sooooo hard, and you'll barely get a C. Move on.

Lastly know what you want at the end. Do you want to be a practicing psychologist? Perhaps go and talk to one and find out exactly what type of schooling you need. Is there volunteer work you can do now in your field?

I wish you all the best!!!