Hi, I am 33 years old and considering going back to school.?

Question

8 years ago I graduated from a community college with a diploma in dental hygiene. I am stuck because I am debating whether I should go do the one extra year of the dental hygiene degree completion program available only online or go start all over and take courses that interest me in the faculty of arts and business. get that degree.the only thing is that would take me 4 years and its too late to apply for this year so I would have to apply for next year which would make me 34!!! I feel that I am too old and will miss the opportunity to get married And by then I will be at least 38, still single with no kids. So, I only want to do it if I can commit to the those 4 years. Right now, I am single, have no family obligations, no kids. Ihave always wanted to go to university but unfortunate circumstances/oblilgations prevented me from it. Now I feel that I will never get the confidence, self trust and skills from anywhere else but going to school for myself. a degree will be mine!

Answer 1

Go for it! My husband is 33 and started taking classes again for a degree. He will have his bachelors before too long and the better paycheck to go with it.
He felt the same way...unsure and afraid of failing. Now he is a totally different person. He said it made him feel like he has accomplished something. Also that he is older than the other people there and able to see the lessons from a better point of view having experienced life more than they had.

So go for it so you aren't kicking yourself later on. You will be glad you did.
Good luck!

Answer 2

I'm 35 and just finishing. I started school again 4 years ago (and didn't even have an AA) and it's the best thing i've done. I'm now in a better position for whatever I want to do with my life. I would have severely regretted not doing it... and now, I'm getting a Masters Degree.

If I were you, i'd try an accelerated program in an area where you really have the interest (so if dental isn't cutting it, then get some other degree), there are some places that offer that for working adults. Yah it's faster and sometimes harder, but you'll get it over with.

Do it while you can. It gets much harder when you're married (but not impossible, I did it all after I got married and had a kid)with little kids wanting all your attention. It sucks to have to tell them you can't spend time with them when that's all they want.

I think if you don't do it now, you'll probably regret it. Because the older you get, the more you'll wonder how you would have ended up if you would have done it.

Remember: People tend to regret the things they haven't done, not the things they did do.

Good luck.

Answer 3

you should go the extra year and get the one degree and then you can take your classes for the 4 yr degree all the while having a nice paying job. Forget about age, it has nothing to do with it You have to think is this something I am going to regret when I am 45 and still in a job I feel so so about? If you can say no then dont bother but if you say yes you should for go it. Besides you might meet someone in college. Losts of us younger gals like the older guys ;). with goals and a futue. So you should do it I would think. I have been in school for 8 yrs on and off and I am not giving up until I get there. Sure I may be 45 by the time I get my phd but I will get it!!!! But in the end you have to make up your mind about what you wanna make out of your life so good luck to you

Answer 4

No, you are not to old to go back to school, and plus you can't really say that. You are going back to college to finish what you started which is dental hygiene. If you say that, it sounds much better. I think you should start all over and do things you want to do, that interest you. Why are you ashamed for, you just want to learn more and get another degree, there is nothing wrong with that. You should have some more confidence in yourself, you will feel better. Not everyone is married and has kids, imagine having them and you want to go to school, I don't think that would work out, you probably couldn't afford it and wouldn't have time for it. Good Luck and follow your heart. God Bless!

Answer 5

Well, if you like dental hygiene, I would go with one year completion program. Online programs are a great way to take college classes and still carry on with your life away from school. Plus, it would only take you a year and you could easily get a good job.

However, if you don't like dental hygiene and don't want to be stuck with it, try going back to college and following your passions. Why do something that you don't like? I think that completing a degree might give you the self confidence you need. In my program, we have a lot of non-traditional, older students. I admire them for coming back and accomplishing their goals.

As for your family life, school shouldn't get in the way too much. Whether you are in school or not won't affect your chances of finding the love of your life. And if you do get pregnant, you can always take off 1 semester or so to recover. Plus, several of the older students in my classes have husbands and kids. They still manage to balance school, work, and home life.

Answer 6

What is it that you really want to do? While it is true that going to school and having a degree can increase your monthly/yearly income, is what you are trying to career shift towards something that requires a degree? At your age, (you're not old I too am 33) ask your self, what is it I want to do, and is it something that I can break into at this time, at the lower levels. In four years you may have amassed enough experience in whatever field it is you are looking too (and have the contacts as well) to make as much as an entry level college graduate etc. You may have to work a second job while getting that foot in the door, but unless you have lots of $$ already, you'd be working while you're going to school anyway.

I too am 33 years old, and after school on and off for the past 12 years, I finally sat down and realized that no degree program existed for me that suits what I want out of life, and I'm the kind of person that if I am going to make the effort to get that piece of paper, then it has to be something that will benefit me directly. IE..become a doctor so go to school for medicine. The truth is, only about 10% of the college degrees out there are really geared towards a true career in something.

My own situation is unique but I have an associates (that I received 2 years ago, and only b/c I'd taken enough lib arts/undergrad courses at the 100/200 level to walk in and say "what can I get" w/ this transcript). Whereas my wife took the time to finish an English degree (BA), but she cannot find a job willing to pay more then 30-40k/year. None of them having anything to do w/ English. I make enough though to support our family and live a very comfortable life working for a company many people are/would be envious of, and yeah I've nothing more then an associates degree in "transfer studies". To make matters even more insulting (and to drill the point home) my best friend has a Masters in Marriage and Family counselling, I make in 3 months what she makes in a year. (She does make less then industry standard for her field, but not by much).

It's not what you know, and what paper you have anymore, but it is however who you know, and how you get yourself in the door that first time that matters. Also companies are no longer putting emphasis on BS/BA/MS/MBA/PhD etc.. More and more hiring recruiters are starting to put greater emphasis on personality fit. I've seen companies take the lesser qualified person just b/c they were easier to get along w/ and pay them the industry standard etc. (A mistake if you ask me, but I guess that's what enlightenment is all about).

It's a lot of soul searching, I did it from 30-32, and decided that I made it to this point on my own w/o a college diploma through hard work, making a lot of contacts etc, reading the right materials etc. If I really want to shift careers then the same tactics could be utilized, and I'd maybe have to spend a couple of years making less then what I'm accustomed too.

Answer 7

I believe that just as "only you" can prevent forest fires (as Smokey Bear used to say), "only you" can make these decisions. Is working or making money not a concern?

I took a lot of classes in my thirties and I know a lady who got into journalism and took college classes in her middle fifties. On the other hand, I do think there's such a thing in being so involved in ongoing education that you always learning, but never doing.

I don't understand why you learned dental hygiene and now want study arts and business. What are you looking to do career-wise?

These are just some thoughts, and the only ones I can offer.

Answer 8

Go back! It's never to late to return to school to complete your education. You made the following statement, "I feel that I am too old and will miss the opportunity to get married And by then I will be at least 38, still single with no kids."

Whether you get married or not you still be 38, however turning 38 with your university degree is much sweeter.

Answer 9

Ok, 1st of all I wanna start off by saying Congratulations, because I think your making the right choice, either way. But I think definitely go w/ the 4 yrs. Although it might seem like a long time, itll be over. And its worth it, beause your doing something for yourself. Dont worry about the chances of getting married and having a family, because 33 is not too old. Who knows? Maybe youll meet your soul mate in the university your gonna be attending. It'll come when the time is right. You said it a degree will be yours. Whats better than that?

♥Good Luck♥

Pick me as best answer plzz =)

Answer 10

In my opinion, only go to the 4 year if you're gonna stick it out. Those tuition bills will add up quick. And it might look better having a degree from a 4-year, rather than an online college. Or go for the online for the extra year if you just want to get it over and done with.