Going back to school for older adults

“Well the applacation is in the mail. So we will have to wait and see if i'm going to school.
Im just going to start off slow because it's been way to long since ive been in school.

Who else has gone back to college as an adult and did you find it hard?”

“I've taken courses here and there. It was mostly stuff I was interested in, so I didn't find it hard. In fact, it's been downright fun.”

“I have... I think in a lot of ways it's easier because I don't care what anybody thinks and I take it more seriously.

Profs seem to take adults more seriously as well.

But of course the downside is now my life is more complicated as well”

“Define "adult".Went to graduate school at 32.”

“Maple, I don't know what you mean by "as an adult," but I came back to school as a non-traditional student. I went straight to school after I graduated from h.s., after 1 yr. was completed. I ended up taking the next 3 off and having a baby. Now I go part-time, at night, and as a parent, instead of a care-free kid.

It's much harder to go to school when you have a child in your care, I can tell you that much. However, I think the rewards will greater. It means more to me now. You are right to start slow. Believe me, if you are going to work during this period as well, you will feel like slow is a whirlwind! Good luck, education all the way!!!!”

“what are you going back to school for, maple?

i don't know if you'd consider me an adult, but i went to graduate school last semester, and it totally sucked...or rather, i totally sucked at it. i thought i really cared, but it turned out i didn't. LOL! but i hope you have a better experience...”

“I went back to school at age 31, a master's program in engineering (at a very well respected university, at least for its grad programs). I continued to work full time and took only one more semester than all of the full-time students. Yes, it was a lot easier as a "grown-up." (I had also aced the GRE exam, despite little studying.) I think maturity and experience managing time are what made it easier.”

“I went to school as an adult but I wasn't very adult about it. Mostly I learned that you need to be incredibly organized. Over time I learned to mark study and homework time on the calendar, pack my school bag the night before so I wouldn't forget anything in the morning rush, and I took lots of vitamins that are supposed to sharpen your thinking and memory. You have to be committed to your goal, because you end up with very little free time.”

“I'm back in school for my first sememester of MANY to come. You'll have to work at striking a balance between school and real life, but you'll find a way.

I disagree with donman, though. I had one professor this sememster who didn't understand that I actually have a "real" job. He made me drop his class, and it made me lose my tuition assistance for the semester. Check with your school about their policies on working adults, etc.

But I have to agree with Martyb. You've gained a lot more maturity over the years, and I think you'll find that learning is easier, as well as learning quickly what you can and can't get away with in class, i.e. time managment.

Good luck Maple!”

“Im going to try and get a A.S in Liberal Arts and Sciences
then cont on to get a B.A. in Biology. Then sit back and figure out what the hell I want to be when im all grown up.
Id like to get involved in with animals somehow. I like the idea of Animal Husbandry but that is way down the road.
My hats of to you newgirl for everything you are doing. I think its great and you should be proud of yourself!!
Im pretty nerves but also excited at the same time.”

“Its kinda fun to be on campus again, although at a different school.

What's really funny is I see a guy I actually went to college with on my new campus too! Sorta feels like old times....OK, not really. But it was a nice thought. :)”

“hmm...what's an A.S.?”

“Good points by everybody! I've had a Bio. teacher this semester that doesn't seem to get it that I have a "real" job and a child. He's been a little bit of a dick about it, but other than that, it has gone well.”

“Associate's in Science”

“One other kinda funny note - in my program, while most of the professors had a lot of practical experience and were very good about connecting the theory and practice, there was one professor who was straight from undergrad and grad education, with no actual experience. There were several occasions when I "educated" him. Fortunately, I must have been tactful enough because he didn't seem to get mad about it. Hee hee....”

“Well, I finally found the time to log in for a change and contribute to TT as opposed to lurking.

I've recently changed jobs and have decided to not take classes this quarter. (Whew!)

I will start again in the winter becuase I have found that going to school as an "adult" is extremely rewarding as well as fortifying for one's resume. Seems that some people respect those who honestly pursue bettering themselves through education.

Go for it MapleLeaf. You'll do fine, no doubt.”

“I know it will be hard

work 9 to 5
homework with the children
snuggle with hubby :)
then scholl

But I do have the support from my family and they cant wait till I start so that is a good thing for me”

“gee does spelling count?


heheh”

“Supportive family makes a gigantic difference as well. There is no way I could go to school w/out their support.”

“Yes, twice after 30:

Age Degree
18-22 Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Kettering in Flint, MI)
22-23 M.S. Industrial Administration (Purdue)
35-39 M.S. Statistics (UC Riverside)
48-53 Ed.D Org. Leadership (Pepperdine)

I was single for the first two degrees...Married with 4 kids the last two.

The M.S. in Statistics was grueling. My wife suffered more than I realized. The Ed.D. was mostly enjoyable.

Hints:
1. Find a degree program and school that is friendly to older students. Some are...some aren't. Research universities generally don't take any prisoners. Find something where you will be at least in the middle of the crowd in ability...not starting at the bottom (Like I was in the statistics program...engineer vs. mathematicians).

2. Get organized and learn how to study: See my "How to Study" website which discusses a "Time Picture". It says some things about time management you won't see anywhere else (e.g., schedule your personal and social activities first!!!).

3. If you aren't enjoying yourself most of the time, you are doing something wrong.

4. Secret to success that I tell new students: "Start and don't quit!" I have had students come back and tell me that this little phrase helped them finish.

Feel free to contact me if you want to discuss anything!!! I advise students on this all the time (like an hour ago!).

Draculyra:
A.S. = Associate of Science
A.A. = Associate of Arts”

“thank you Phil I may take you up on your offer!
like I said Im still looking into what i want to do. I figure this would be a good jump off point for me. Kinda get my feet wet”

“Phil is da man! Follow everything he just told you Maple.

Phil, will you be my advisor?”

“I just graduated in May with my Bachelor of Science in Management. After 10 years of night and summer classes I finally qualify for the jobs I've held over the last five years. :)

I didn't find the studies hard (except math which I'm totally stupid at) - work experience helped A LOT, providing valuable bull$hit for my papers and class participation. However, none of the classes I took have been particularly useful in my job. Except the writing classes, which I loved, and actually learned a lot from. Mostly because I slept through all my prior English classes more than anything. :)

A coupla tips - you get better grades if you attend each class, nod and smile a lot and don't make too many waves. Don't be asking for special stuff, professors hate that (like if your kid almost gets killed in a car accident with 3 weeks left to the semester, don't be silly and ask for any incompletes so yo can stay home and nurse him). Act like your taking notes even if you're writing your grocery list or a note to your neighbor (very handy - I still do this in staff meetings). Furrow your brow occasionally and then write furiously. The professor will believe you think he/she's fascinating and you are a "good student." Keep your eye on the prize and remember what that is when you're writing the prof's evaluation. He's got tenure, you don't and likely you'll have him again later on.

Good luck, mapleleaf!
PS - what're you going for?”

“Yea! Me too, Phil! Headed to that website right now...”

“LOL! Twigeater, I do that grocery list thing all the time!”

“never mind that last question maple, losts of posts since I started and finished mine (those damn English classes, lol)

smiley - you actually expected a prof to care that you had a job - wow!”

“no, i didn't expect him to care, i expected him to live up to his word. he turned into a big weenie. and he pre-judged me. long story. the whole thing ended up being a blessing in disguise.”

“Some times I go to skool with my daddy. I get GOOOOOD skratchys by ever buddy!”

“good maybe you can go to school with me and help me!!”

“Jeez, Phil, looks like you got your MS in Stats just a few years before I was struggling with a coupla stats/probability courses in my program. If only I knew you then.... (I did eventually figure it out....)”

“Phil, your website is like the answer to my prayers. My advisor stinks and I've been really lost on alot of these isssues. I think your site is going to help me out! Thanks!”

“yeah care was the wrong word there smiley, sorry.

newgirl, I have all these work notes with the margins and tops and bottoms torn off - grocery lists, to do lists, HIKE MAINE stuff, lol...
Funniest though was in a meeting with the Gov's staff - one came in late and sat next to me, then turned my notebook to copy what I'm sure she expected to be my budget notes - surprise!

A friend of mine just took her GRE's - she asked me if I was going to, and I said (insert your favorite cuss word here) no way, I just got my life back!

Good luck to you all!”

“Yep, took me 8 years to complete an A.A degree going to night school. The hardest part for me was after working an 8 hour day, going to school for another 2-4 hours. Homework wasn't great either. I did graduate with a much better GPA than I did in High School.

Good luck!”

“I someday am going to go back to wilderness school.And I want to take the advanced LNT classes.

8)”

“I was just looking at what courses to take next semester. I'm going to have a hard time finding two to take. Patience, patience....”

“I didn't go as an adult, but SIT IN FRONT OF THE CLASS! I can't say this enough.

Here's how I learned, for what it's worth:

As a typical party animal college student, I always looked to sit in the back of class so I could hide and maybe take a nap after a night of raising hell. But for a particulary hard statistics course, I came in late the first day and had to take the only seat left, which was front and center. I opted to stay there as an experiement. Besides, there were no hot chicks in the class anyway.

I was forced to pay attention (a big sticking point for me, I was hyper as a kid), and the professor seemed to remember me and was especially receptive when I visited him after classes to ask questions (hard to miss, since I was the only "raver kid" in the class and I was front and center).

I didn't get an A, but I got a B+, and given the drop-out rate for the class, I probably would have joined the masses had I sat in the back. I was quite proud of myself.

Moral of the story: Arrive at every class late.”

“truth be told im doing this with a G.E.D”

“Good luck and go for it! :-)”

“Hikin' Mike, I'm so w/ you on that one. On my wk. off, it goes okay. I still have a full day of being Newergirl's mommy before I head to class (anyone who's ever had a 2 yr. old will know what I'm sayin' here), but it's a little less draining. I feel happier at the end of a day w/ her, if that makes sense. On my wk. on, it kills though! I work a 9 hr. (I don't get to leave for lunch), drive for an hr. to school, and then have to try and be ready and alert for a 3 hr. class.

I have a slightly higher GPA in college, then I did in h.s. (4.0 now, 3.5 then). I'm really proud of my GPA now though. I work way, way harder for it, then I ever did in h.s.”

“maple, i don't think it makes a darn bit of difference what you have, its all about your desire and perseverence. go for it!”

“thank you smiley and everyone”

“and hay when i graduate the keggers at my house!!”

“I went back for my B.S in Computer Science after a hiatus of about twelve years. It was easier for all the reasons previously stated, but those Calculus courses were a total pain at first!

When you haven't done any math in a looong time it can sneak up and bite you, LOL”

“well ive gotten you beat by about 8 years.
wow almost 20 years.
oh #&%!$ what have I gotten myself into?


~shaking head~”

“I went back to school when I was 42, and can say it has worked out well for me. I worked at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation for the Westinghouse company, and was doing a 1 hour commute each way. My job was in a large organization, in a very "Dilbert" culture. I went to law school, and with the support of my wife, who worked and ran the house, and took care of a 1 year old, we did it for 3 years.

For the first two years I worked part time for my old job, and thus got benefits which included insurance and full tuition reimbursement. My old boss really did me a big favor by getting the partime gig.

A lot of the people in law school thought they were in the worst Hell they had ever imagined, due to the need to really study hard, and likely getting Cs for a lot of classes. Everyday I woke up I thougth "thank God I'm still on vacation", because it was a vacation for me compared to work. I've been out for 7 years, am now 52, and am now a partner in a patent law firm in Boise. We didn't plan on going to Boise when I got out, but its proven to be a great place.

I would advise that you do some research on what degrees will lead to jobs, and what they will pay. I thought I'd start out as an environmental attorney at $55,000, and it turned out there were no jobs there, and other attorney jobs started at more like $35,000 in Idaho.

Enjoy!”

“Maple, I went back to school at night back in '96 at the age of 36, which allowed me to change careers and change my life. It wasn't easy, but it was well worth it.



To be able to choose the line of greatest advantage, instead of yielding in the path of least resistance is the true essence of freedom.



- George Bernard Shaw”

“I enrolled at 30.

Don't just take "notes" - speak!
Ask questions, and answer questions of other students. Know where to draw the line, tho, for there is such a thing as a stupid question...

I would usually sit at the front, right desk. That way, I could swivel a bit and address the entire class as I spoke.

Class participation carried me through. I'm a lousy tester, but the Profs knew I (usually) grasped the subject based on my... banter(?).

Do research papers about subjects that interest you, when possible. That way, you learn something interesting, and do a good job on the paper to boot.

I did papers about Mother Teresa, warfare, the Canterbury Tales, Gregor Mendel, vocational education, and nother ones.

I designed an accessable house for my Special Needs Education class. That was the funnest project EVER! I've recently referred to that material for a project my students will soon do - a portable privy for a local wetlands park. It must meet accessability codes.

I went mostly at night, and would linger after class to escort female profs/students to the parking lot. I got LOTS of positive feedback 'bout that.

I had alot of admiration for the working moms that attended night school. It was all I could do to keep my head above water - and I'm single.

Good on you, and never stop pluggin'!”

“Way to go Gojo!

8)

I always knew you could teach!”

“You can do it Maple! Don't feel overwhelmed and give up easily. After awhile you'll get into a groove . . . just like when you're hiking and you'll be fine after that point.”

“Did I tell you I want to go for Liberal Arts?
sorry if I didnt make that clear but im still learning the lingo.
It seems to be the most popular choice for alot of people that are going to school and its a good choice for me.
your right about the groove thing and hiking.!”