I am 33 years old and want to go back to school to get my degree. How can I do this?

Question

I am the sole bread winner for my family. I have two boys, 7 & 9. My 9 year old is disabled so my wife has to stay at home with him, so she can't work. I need to go back to school and get my degree so that I can get a better job. Any suggestions on how others in my situation did this?

I could just imagine how goofy I would look... a 33 year old in a class full of 18 year olds.

Answer 1

OK, so first, the age issue is less and less relevant. Lots of us go back to get degrees, especially in grad school, but even in undergrad programs. At the University of South Florida, where I went, the average age of a student was 28. Lots of people like yourself, work for a few years, then find that a degree will help them advance.

Now for the harder part: how to finance all this. For grad school, there are lots of assistantships and things available, so its not so bad. For undergrad programs, there are loans available, but that gets expensive. I'd say your best bet may be to try to get a job with an employer (or even a university) that will pay for your education. Perhaps your current employer even has a program. No harm in asking.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 2

I started college at age thirty, a four year university (Univ of Tn, Chattanooga) and had a two year old son to support. I found that I qualified for all kinds of finacial assistance, grants, loan, work study plus I qualified for government assistance - foodstamps, medicaid, daycare assistance because the government can't count the school assistance as part of your household income.

From all the assistance I was able to keep the bills paid and with the work study, I had a steady income coming in not to mention I gained some very useful skills at the jobs I worked on campus.

Before you give up on a four year degree look into the types of assistance you and your wife can qualify for. If it turns out that you can swing it, it would be so worth it to just do it and get it done. I completed my BS in three years - I went to school full time, worked part time and went every semester, even the summer ones. I didn't take any time off til I was finished with it.

If that route just won't work for you and your situation another option you should consider is a type of vocation that would help support the family but wouldn't take more than a year or so to complete. LPNs (if you like nursing) only takes a full year to get thru and I am sure there are some other good paying jobs that would be similar.
Whatever you decide to do, don't let your age be a factor in deciding if you want to do it or not, next year you will be another year older wheter you go to college or you don't go. But wouldn't you rather be older and educated, not just older? BTW, college classes are so much easier as an adult student!

Answer 3

Hi I was 42 when I went back to college and found out I am not to old. My husband became disabled I was put in the position of being the sole bread winner. With out a degree I could see that I could not make enough money for us to have the quality of life we wanted. So I went to college. I still work as much as I can. I get grants and my grades are good and I get a scholarship. It's not easy. But if I can do it any one can. You have to want it bad enough.

Answer 4

I'm 29 and starting graduate school in the fall. Don't worry about it. I don't have others to support but I'm still having to take out big-time loans - sometimes a necessary evil. I would say based on your situation you may need to take out loans and work part time. Apply for the FAFSA. If you're staying in the same general area discuss it with your boss. For some jobs companies and employeers may even help with the expense if your new experience benefits them.

Answer 5

I am 34, I started University of Phoenix last Aug. I will have my associates in Business management in May '07. I decided to take online classes because I have four kids and do not have the time or daycare money to go to traditional college. Its difficult, Im not going to lie, but it is well worth the effort!

Answer 6

Hi Dear, I have no suggestin but I can motivate by giving an example. I am a civil engineer from Gujarat (University second in Civil branch) We migrated in NZ in 2002. I started as a machine operator (only physical work) After one year I realised that I should go to school to get NZ qualification. And I joined Unitec(name of college).I used to wake up at 3.15am start work at 3.45am (Cadbury) and finish at 4pm then direct to Unitec. From 5 to 8pm classes and 8.30 home(very tired) Dinner and bed with in 30minutes. I did for one year and passed all the subjects related to civil engineering. But the problem started when I went for job interview.
Interviewers were asking for experience related to study. And Given advice to study some food related courses as I was working in Food industry.
In 2004 I study a Food safety management course. I passed. I got a supervisory job (more satisfaction)
In 2005 I study a quality related course. Study for one year and passed. And I got a supervisory job with good salary with NZ's biggest construction company. Flecture group
This year I am studying an Environmental management course.
Why?????
For a hope of good future.
You don't know my ang and responsibilities.
I am 44 now. 2 sons (21 and18) and paying morgage for 2 properties. ($450 per week)
Now compare with your case and I am sure you will start your study soon.
Best luck.

Answer 7

Go to a community college, enroll, pick a major you are interested in. Most community college have a program where you can be a returning student and the college helps you with college and college life again. Also, seek an advisior there are very helpful. Best of luck in the future.

Answer 8

Hi, I just got my MA. from Springfield College which is based in MA. It has off shoots all over I am in VT and it has one here. I am 52 and got both my BA and MA only going weekends. http://www.spfldcol.edu/
If you are the first in your family to go to college there is a federal grant for that. There are many grants out there just ask the college you choose. Also Community College is for a AS and is held in the evenings. I don't know where you are from so I can't be of more help....unless you might try on line college....Good Luck.

Answer 9

A good way to do this this is to start at your local community college. See if they have an Internet site and look for entrance requirements under the Admissions link.

Answer 10

Night classes, On line classes, Correspondence classes