Is It too Late for me?

Question

I am 20 years old about to turn 21 and I'm going to be going back to college in spring after taking 3 semesters off from college. I am aiming to get my masters in nursing, or maybe even go for my doctoral. I still have to do all my prequisites @ community college, but i figure i'll do day and weekend classes, and summer school and so on, Do u think its too late for me to start headin for my goals? My boss thinks i waited to long, but maybe he's just saying that so i dont quit my job. What do u think?

The only reason i took 3 semesters off was because I just wasnt ready to go to school straight out of HS I was cutting i never did homework i needed to get into the real world to realize how good i had it living at home and going to school. I needed to learn to appreciate it before i came back. Now i wish i never left!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!! I'm going back to school and Im quitting my job for one that supports me going back to school!

Answer 1

PLEASE -- I am a Retiree, already have Associates, Bachelors, AND Masters Degrees, and guess what ...

I am going BACK to college in the Spring next year -- and you know what >>> I am going to take the courses that I THINK are fun now -- just for the fact that I am going to ENJOY my Retirement Years keeping my mind active, choosing to take classes at all levels that I NEVER could while working my way through college, and just having FUN FUN FUN ....

My first choice -- Going through the Digital Photography Classes -- yep, Digital Photography and Graphics Design. I enjoy taking images with my cameras (a hobby throughout my military career, now I want to gain skills and hone them), so this is where I will start.

SO GO FOR IT! It is NEVER too late -- I've hit the half-century mark and I KNOW it is not too late. I'll be attending the community college with MANY of my fellow Military Retirees who are going to have a blast sitting in the classrooms and just enjoying keeping active well into later life!

Answer 2

Its not late at all. I tried going to my community college after high school and ended up dropping out because I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life and I wasn't motivated to be there. I finally figured it all out six years after high school and started back at my community college. I'm 26 now and I've been in community college for 2 1/2 years while working full time as well. All of my classes are in the evening and I even took a few in the Summer. I'll be graduating in December with an Associate's in Emergency Management. In January I'm moving and transferring to Western Carolina University to obtain my Bachelor's degree. Eventually I would like to get a Master's, but right now my focus is on my Bachelor's. It may take a little longer to reach your goal because you may have other responsibilities to take care of first, but you will get there.

Your boss is a fool! I think you should look for an employer that will be more supportive and flexible with your needs. Once you find that employer type a short and simple resignation letter and give it to your boss. You'd be surprised at how many employers are willing to be flexible while you're going to college.

Keep that drive going and don't ever let anyone make you doubt yourself!

Answer 3

I'm 35 and I'm starting my nursing prerequisites at community college on Monday -- so if it's too late for you, I'm really in trouble!

It's easy to feel you've lost your chance when you look back at paths you might have taken. Perhaps you're comparing yourself to some high-school friends and thinking you'll never catch up. Here's a different suggestion: look forward to your 25th birthday. Think about those three semesters off. I think you should cherish the experience that time off has given you -- not because you were on the right path, but because you now know for sure that going back is the right path, and you know it in your heart in a way that all your HS friends who went straight through will never know.

And your boss? He's either a liar or a fool. He's doing you a favor trying to stop you from quitting in such a devious way because: 1) you won't regret leaving, and (2) it suggests that future employers (perhaps a hospital?) will be glad to have you.

Answer 4

I think it's a perfect time. You are very young, you've taken some time off, thought about what you wanted, and now you want to go for it. You have a plan. If you can't take time off when you're 20 to decide what you want to do with the entire rest of your life, when can you? 20 year olds should be working temp jobs, trying this and that, trying different classes in college to see what they like, and dropping what they don't. When you're 30 or 40 and have a house, car, kids, wife/husband, etc, you don't have that luxury...if you're stuck in something you hate because you made a fast decision in your 20s, then you're stuck for good. You can't afford to change anything then. You haven't waited too long, you've taken some time, set some goals, have a game plan, and you're ready to go! Go for it, don't let that greedy old boss tell you what to do with the rest of your life.

Answer 5

My mom got her bachelor's degree when she was 39 and started a teaching career. She earned her master's degree when she was 50. I'm 42. I tried college right after high school for about 2 years and then went out and got a job. Now I'm back in college (full time). In one more year, I'll have my bachelor's degree, then it's on to my master's. It is NEVER to late to go for your goals. Sounds to me like your boss just doesn't want you to leave. I can't imagine telling someone what he told you.

BTW, my mom now works at a community college in the study skills department. She sees LOTS of nursing students. Probably half of them are over 30, so you're way ahead of many, many people if you're not even 21 yet.

Answer 6

Your boss is definitely just trying to hold on to an employee. There is never a wrong time to try and reach your goals and it's never too late. There are plenty of non-traditional students (those who didn't enter college right out of high school or those who take time off in between semesters and take their time) in every college. Don't let your boss get you down.
Good luck with everything!

Answer 7

Aye I am a male that is 25 years old. and I am newly enrolled to go for the business degree and BA that I set out to get in the first place. I believe that your never too old and their is no age limit to learning. As far as your boss he sounds like he gave you unsolicited information. The type that does not have any back up to it's plausibility. Na! But seriously you shouldn't worry about what others think as much as what you want out of life. Its one life and one time around the block and if you don't put yourself where you want to be. Nobody else unless your rich and can buy that for yourself cuz everything seems to be buyable. Is essentally gonna help you reach your goals unless you got a person who loves you they may be supportive but still it boils down to you. And never doubt yourself.

Answer 8

It's never too late and 21 is definitely not. My 65 year old father takes an auto body class. Besides, we should never stop learning new things, ever. There is truth to the statement "knowledge is power."

Answer 9

I'm 23 and a Junior in college. I have an Associate's degree, but I want to get a Bachelor's degree too. So, the answer to your question is no.

You are never too young or old to educate yourself - so you can have a better future.

So go for it! Pursuit your goals!

Answer 10

It's never too late to go back to school. You must be a valued employee if your boss is trying to keep you there. smile. Don't listen to anyone that discourages you not to go back to school. Education is the key, and it's something that all of us could use more of. Good luck!