Hi there; as a nearly-40-year-old who will be starting college again in the fall, I thought this migh tbe the place to talk about other people's experiences going back to school. I'm a little worried that I will be the oldest person there, but I understand that a lot of over-40s are going back to school these days. Also, these are evening classes toward a certificate, so I assume more people who have established lives and job will be there.
Have you gone back? What was it like? Any advice for someone who hasn't been in a college class for 20 years?
Have you gone back? What was it like? Any advice for someone who hasn't been in a college class for 20 years?
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Seattle
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Re: Back to school as an adult?
Mon, August 15, 2005 - 8:12 PMI wouldn't let the oldest-person-there thing bother me.
Older students at schools full of twentyish students are notorious for demolishing the curves. They always seem to do well. There are a lot of reasons for that--more experience, more motivation, better-developed cognitive function, less emphasis on busting loose and partying...
When I was an English TA, the older students, even if they were just a few years older, always did very, very well.
I think you're right about the evening classes having other 40somethings there. I doubt you'll be alone.
Undergraduates these days are lazy. It will be easy, because the bar will be lower than it would have been 20 years ago. (Call me jaded--I admit it.)
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Re: Back to school as an adult?
Tue, August 16, 2005 - 10:50 AMI thought the same thing when I went back to school in my 40's, that I would be the oldest person, just not so. In fact there where more "old timers" than "kids".. Had more fun in school in my 40's, than I ever did in my 20's. The reason, I wanted to be there.. Just go and enjoy. You will get a kick listening to the young people talk. One thing, they can never put down there CELL PHONES!! LOL.. Good Luck..
Ron~~
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Re: Back to school as an adult?
Tue, August 16, 2005 - 7:23 PMYeah. I went back. I was prepared for the worst.
After some refresher courses in Math, English, and Sciene, I was off to (Dun, Dun, Dun...) Computer Sciences. Now this, is an age problem. I'm taking classes with 19 year olds. Fresh from high school... and they're good. They just can't see the big picture yet. So, I blow them away (because I studied AND it all made sense).
But, I digress...
I was out of work. Went to day classes whenever possible. Didn't overload (with night classes it's harder). My job was to re-vocation and get going.
It was much better than the first time. With age comes wisdom. Even if we don't see it in ourselve. We can see it in the reflection from the youth of our words.
Are you taking something fun, or educationally rewarding, or just interesting?
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Re: Back to school as an adult?
Wed, August 17, 2005 - 1:23 PMThanks to all. It's definitely going to be interesting, and I think there will be plenty of other quadragenarians there. This is a certificate program in scientific illustration at the local university. I've become increasingly dedicated to drawing and painting in the last few years, and I have a tendency to want to be very precise and detailed, so when I got the catalog that included this program, I realized it was the perfect answer to the recent yearnings I've had to continue my art education.
The thing that makes me the most nervous is probably finding my way around the huge campus, but that gets easier. I think the age factor is geting to be less of a worry the more I think about it, and the more I read responses like these. So thanks again for all your thoughts. -
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Re: Back to school as an adult?
Fri, August 19, 2005 - 7:55 AMOkay, I wasn't even considering taking classes, but you guys are making it seem like something I'd enjoy. (I only finished a year and a half of college 30 years ago before my first pregnancy "hit").
Good luck, Sonya! -
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Re: Back to school as an adult?
Fri, August 19, 2005 - 6:14 PMThanks! I have to say, I'd recommend it. To me, just going to work and coming home to watch TV isn't enough. Well, I don't have kids, so I can say that. :)
I guess what I mean is that unless your job is the most amazing, fulfilling thing you can imagine, it's really nice to have other things you enjoy. I have learned that over the last six or seven years...having activities to do in my off time has made my life a lot more full. And all of it started back when I took a pottery class at a local studio. I kind of felt like I woke up...it's hard to explain and now I'm rambling. But yes, I think extending your reach in life is the best thing you can do. -
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Re: Back to school as an adult?
Wed, September 21, 2005 - 6:42 PMI'm considering going back to school now, too. I can't believe how much more enthusiastic I am about learning, than when in my 20s. Hey, wouldn't it be great if there was a grant or fellowship program for older adults returning school? Does anyone know of anything like that? -
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Re: Back to school as an adult?
Wed, September 21, 2005 - 10:25 PMI agree about being more enthusiastic...I didn't think about it until now, but this is probably the first time in my life that I am glad summer is over and school will be starting soon!
I googled the adult scholarships, and there do seem to be some out there. A lot of what I found leads back to a single group that wants to charge you to download a PDF with more info, but I'm sure it's available for free with a more thorough search.
Hope you do go back!
S.
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Re: Back to school as an adult?
Sat, February 25, 2006 - 12:39 PMI am over 40 and discovered I could do some learning by correspondence courses. It's been good and bad. The good courses were good but the bad course was really bad. It takes a certain type of person (self motivator) to do it but it helped my career. I have two small children which makes it hard to study at home however that is why I have no time to go to classes since I'm juggling work and family responsibilities. If the courses are what you need (I needed them for an appraisal license) and they are good then it's worth it. I mean it's a good option for some.
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Unsu...
Re: Back to school as an adult?
Sun, March 5, 2006 - 5:04 PMI have been in graduate school during my 40's and it is hard especially if you are working full time and doing the school thing as I did...but I loved being in class with people who were all ages, I found in grad school the average age of the students was about 36 so it was cool...just hang in there and maintain some balance of hard work and hard play.
