I am 34 years old and want to go to college, should I, and choose what?

Question

I got side tracked after getting married. This will be the first time I would be stepping into a college class. I am confused about 2 things.

1. Sould I go back after such a long time? I mean I feel like my kids future comes first and I need to save money for thier college.

2. If I go should I choose something crazy liike acting and theater which I have never done or do something along my lines, like compputer 3d programming. I am a computer programmer for the last 10 years makin $80,000 without a degree. do something safe or wild?

Answer 1

I think the most important thing is to teach your kids to be responsible, productive, and healthy people in society and to love and support them. This is more important than your college career. That's not to say you shouldn't go to school or that your personal dreams aren't important...it's just that your first responsibility should be to your kids. I would definitely discuss this decision with them. If you have a close and healthy relationship with them and they support you going now, maybe you can do it now. If you do, keep the lines of communication open with them about how they feel about the time you have to put into school. Be prepared to stop going if it's hurting the family. Same thing with your spouse (assuming you're still married?).
As for picking a major, I'd pick something that's interesting and exciting to you. You'll learn a lot more and have more fun. Plus you could be an example to you kids, showing them the joy and excitement of learning.
Again, make sure you can take care of your family financially as well. If your standard of living will drop, discuss the sacrifices with your family and make sure they are on board. Maybe everybody in the family can pick up some of the slack and help out.
Ultimately you may have to wait until your children are grown. Don't sacrifice their childhood. Don't sacrifice your relationship with your spouse. I know a lady that went back to school at 46 the same time her youngest daughter was in college. She's now been a family counselor for the last 15 years. Whether you wait or not is up to you, but I hope you do it at the right time.

Answer 2

Congratulations for wanting to go back to school, I think it is great. If you go back your children will be just fine when the time comes for them to go to college. You will be instilling in them the importance of education and if they get good grades a scholarship can be in there future. The knowledge you already have isn't going anywhere and if you decide you don't like being in college that will be OK too. Take the chance you never know where it might lead you. If you go start out taking liberal arts to get a feel of what you might enjoy then you will discover what area of study you are drawn to. Good luck, your never too old to learn something new. I am two years younger than you and just started to learn how to play the violin, I pushed away the thoughts that I couldn't do it, I'm too old and went for it and I love it.

Answer 3

It all depends on why you want to go. If you want the degree to up your chances of a promotion or a future career, go for it. If you want a degree just because you want one... also go for it.

I wouldn't advise going to school to major in acting or theater, but once again - that is up to you. If you like computer programming and you feel an undergraduate degree is going to teach you something about it even though you have 10 years experience, then... well, I guess you can go for it too.

If time is of the essence, look into whethere there are accelerated bachelor's programs in your area for adults. If you really want to go back to school, I would suggest a business degree. With your experience, you can consider using the degree to launch your own enterprise or move up the ranks in whichever industry you want. If you want to study performing arts, you can take a few classes or you can do some noncredit classes outside of school. Good luck and congrats on your decision to further your education.

Answer 4

Are you quitting your job in order to go to college? Or are you continuing to work and taking courses in the evening? If you don't know what you want to do, you might be better off to take a couple of courses first, and see what really interests you. You can take acting and theatre courses in the evening and see if that's what you really want to do. Are you happy with your job? Or are you looking for a change? If you want to upgrade your job, then something in your own line would make sense -- the world of computers is moving so fast that it's really hard to keep up with everything! Or you might want to combine your present skills with the theatre option and get into animation or computer graphics.
What does your wife suggest? It's a decision that you will both have to live with, so she should have some input.
Tough decision! Hope it works out for you, whichever one you choose.

Answer 5

It sounds like you have a great stable job already. But if you really want to go to college, go ahead. You have the money and you will have the money you need for your kids educations also if all goes well. If you're interested in getting into acting you can join a local community theater group or something like that.

Answer 6

If you want to go back, of course you should go back. If you're making $80,000 a year, you'll have plenty of time to save up money for your kids' college. When choosing what to do, though, ask yourself why you want to go back. Do you want to do it to further your career, or as something to add to your career? Also, that's not a decision you have to make right away if you go back. You could even do a little bit of both.

Answer 7

Yes, I would go to college, its never to late to learn nor to attend college, and yes your children's future are very important, but so is your future. I went back to college 5 years ago, and earned my MSW degree, not only does my future look brighter but so does my children's.

I believe that working with people is a good choice, but if you are competent in computers then why don't you stay in that area?

. brownsnake38

Answer 8

From my opinion you should choose 3d animation in computer programming and it is high time that you started saving for your child's future.Moreover acting or theatre do not garauntee you a job.It all depends on your luck.But in computer programming atleast you would have your future in your hand(and your child's too) and also it is safe.

Answer 9

1. Sure! Screw them, make them work for their college money. It will teach them some financial integrity.

2. Crazy! Do something that you NEVER would have done! Smoke some dope with 18 year old girls and get nuts! You're going to die anyway. Why not go out with a BBBAAANNNGGG!

Answer 10

Don't waste your time and money on a useless degree. Find out which jobs are hot and what it takes to get them, and pursue that.