I'm a 35 year old bartender / waitress who never finished college; Can I go back?

Question

Everybody I know thinks I graduated from univerisity because that's what I told them; It's believable enough because I'm fairly intelligent. But the truth is... I never finished. Hell, I barely even started. I registered for classes 3 times (3 separate semesters) and formally withdrew from those classes each time. For some classes I simply stopped going. I'm a manic depressive and although I started the semesters with all or mostly all A's, I fell into depression and lost interest in school altogether. Eventually, I didn't care anymore and I let my studies go. Flash forward to now: I'm a 35 year old bartender and waitress who's tired of having to deal with the grind; I want a change in direction. I want to feel good about myself. I KNOW I should go back to school, but would it be TOO much of an uphill battle?

Answer 1

If you want to do something then all the work will be worth it. But you have to want it! I am a 49 year old woman who STARTED college at 44. It took me 5 years to get my BA and I am now working on my MEd! I never thought I would be able to do it, but I just put my head down and charged through.. I must say that the students on campus keep me feeling a lot younger than I used to, and learning something new everyday is very exciting. It IS hard work, but I think it is worth it.

First step is to find something you WANT to study... If you aren't interested in the class you won't do well. Find something you are passionate about... Jobs and careers will follow; if you love what you are learning you'll succeed! Next, find a small school near you and see what they offer. I suggest starting with one or two classes just to get the feel of being in the classroom again. Don't be intimidated - non-traditional students usually end up having a better relationship with their professors so asking for help when you need it is easier.

All that being said, I do want to caution you that if your depression is serious and unless you are being treated for it, the stress could get to you. To me, this lifestyle (I am a full time student) is less stressful overall than working, but during midterms and finals sometimes the stress level is amazingly high. But then again that depends on how many classes you take.

I hope this helped..... =) I wish you luck, I know you can do it - GO FOR IT!

Answer 2

You bet you can! I go back every ten years or so. I got my AA, then BS at the ripe old ages of 30 and 32, and my M.Ed. several years later.

There are a lot of advantages of going back as an older returning student. Usually by then, you know what you're interested in and have the discipline to do the work because you WANT to be there.

Why don't you talk with a counselor at the college where you're thinking of going and get a support system going to help you accomplish your educational goals?

It will be interesting and fun and probably hard a times, and certainly worthwhile.

Answer 3

Everyone else is right, it is never too late. You can also go online and do it that way if going to a college is too much on/for you. And only you can tell if it is worth it or not. Why tell people you went to a university when you didn't? Are you on medication now for your depression? If not, talk to a doctor and ask his/her advise on how you could cope better. If you really want this, there are ways to get it. You just have to figure out what is best for you.

Answer 4

Uphill battle HOW? I know one woman that received her high school diploma on her deathbed and died a happy woman....just for the simple fact she achieved it before she died. Who says going back to education after 35 is going to be difficult? I'll tell you how it WON'T be difficult: you have a lot more life experience on how to handle stressful situations now, situations that most college aged kids only know how to remedy with the product you're selling behind the bar right now. You don't have the parents nagging you about your education because it's coming out of their pockets. You won't have ego tripping professors trying to knock you down a level or two because you DO have age on your side and they know they won't be able to get away with it.You have a bunch of huge one-ups, on your future fellow classmates, so go for it!

Signed,
A fellow bartendress who's only 5 years younger than you are. :)

Answer 5

go to a community college. In CA, they are very inexpensive. Take classes at night and start slow (maybe with 1 class a semester).

Then transfer your credits to a 4 year university.

Also conquer or take control of your manic depression through medication and/ or counseling!

you can do it!!!!

Answer 6

i have my neighbor across the street who is in her late 40's goes to college and is about to finish with a nursing degree! i do not think that it is too late for anything...heck, people change and it is not too late to change and be who you want to be because if you do not do it now you will post-pone it until forever as we people do and we never get it done! if you want it so badly go after it and do not anything stop you now! as i always say: it is better now than never -may it be with life or learning a lesson or two but heck you did it! i wish you the very best and do not forget: you lose only if you stop attending class and giving up!

Answer 7

A close friend of mine bar-tended right up to her masters degree, then used her life experiences to work on her PhD. I am so proud of her! Just get the depression treated, and start slow. You can talk to the counselors on campus about finding you a different job if you want out of the bar. Best of luck to you!!

Answer 8

make sure you know what your going for, a B.A. degree does not mean middle class or higher income anymore by any means...there are alot of basketweaving degress that you need masters and phd's in to make money in most cases i.e. psychology..if you want to do something directly in that field...good luck and your definetly not too young girl :) Nursing is hot, most in demand job for like next 25 years projected..you can look it up, they start 20+ dollars an hour in most states and like booku unlimited overtime..auto raises for each year exp.

Answer 9

You can do anything that you want to do and that includes college. It won't be easy at 35 to start back, but it will well be worth it.
We hear of senior citizens getting their degrees a lot.
Good luck and God Bless.

Answer 10

I've seen grandparents in college. Go for it. It's never too late!