going back to school... any ADULT students here ??

Question

i'm in my 30s and thinking about going back to school for a career change... anyone going through this? if so, how has your experience been. what do you like and don't like about the experience

Answer 1

I started college when I first graduated high school, I went to college and then quit after a couple years and started working. I finally finished my BA last year at age 33 and am in the process of studying for the GMAT to get into business school for my MBA.

Honestly, I love(d) going to school as a "non-traditional" student. For me, it's a break from the "real world." However, I also enjoy learning for learning's sake. If it opens up an opportunity for a better job or more money, then that is just an added bonus.

Honestly, I think it your decision should be based on your motives or intentions. If it's something you think you would like, then of course do it. If you're doing it just to make more money, then you'll probably struggle more with finishing up (not that you can't do it.) Either way, it will be work and require dedication.

Other considerations would be whether you have children or are married. If it would put a strain on your wife or children, then you may need to take the back seat for a while.

Answer 2

I went back to complete my degree when I was 30, and it's the best thing I ever did. Sure, you do give up some personal life, but in the long run, it's worth it. My salary nearly doubled once I got the degree. Even financial issues aside, I really enjoyed being in school. I went part time in the evenings, so I was with mainly adults who were in my same situation. We had some really great intellectual conversations that I never could have had in any other environment. Truthfully, if I had the time and money to go back to school now, I would, just strictly for the intellectual stimulation. But, a mother's duty calls . . .

Answer 3

I'm 29 and will complete my Associates in Management this December. I attend community college and at least half of my class is over 30. I will be transferring in 08' to a four year college call Strayer. I can attend class on campus as well as on-line. I think there are a lot of people over 30 because they reach a plato in there current positions; they cannot be promoted until they get a degree.

Call your community college and make an appointment with a career councilor and they can give you all the demographics in your area. They can even help you figure out what jobs will suit you and direct you to someone to help you figure out how to pay.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I went back to college in my late 30's to complete my BA. Because I went full time days I was with many young people. It was strange at times b/c I was married with 2 young kids, but I did well & I did enjoy it. Once you're into your major you work with fellow students of all ages as you have a common goal.
Your experience will be different depending on whether you go days or nights.
Good Luck

Answer 5

I started graduate school when i turned thirty years old while maintaining a full time career. Trust me, it will make you old! Not that it's not worth it. It is an amazing life accomplishment that you should be very proud of. Just make sure that you have supportive family, your finances can subsidize your education, and you have a high tolerance for stress, 17 hour days, anxiety, and overall being physically, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically "streched"... I do not mean to scare you off. I encourage you to go for it, you only live once. Just do a cost benefit analysis and some soul searching of how bad do you want it and how much you are willing to sacrifice... good luck!

Answer 6

If you go back to college try taking night and weekend classes because teachers are more laid back. They understand that most people that take night classes have day jobs.

Teachers during the day aren't so lenient and expect a lot out of you. They want you to know everything and invest 110% of your efforts into learning and sharing interesting information about the subjects. If you're into learning than it should be easy for you.

Today we have e-mail that really helps you communicate to your teacher any time of the day. I remember e-mailing my teacher every day and he answered my questions a few hours after sending it. CDs are getting more interactive and you can rewind and fast forward lessons that you missed from class lectures.

Talk to your counselor frequently to make sure you're on point with your eductional goals. If you don't you'll be wasting your time taking classes that you don't need.

Answer 7

I'm in my 50s, and never got any degree after high school. There are people there who are 20 years older than me (not many, though), but you're lucky to get just one in any given class. I prefer to take my courses on line, or the cable telecourses--that way, I only need to go into the school for the exams.

Good luck--there are plenty of people in their 30s in school, so don't be shy about it.

Answer 8

As long as you are in school to learn, you will have a wonderful experience. Do not feel intimidated by your class mates who may still be in their teens. Instead, concentrate on your studies. Adults who return to school usually get much better grades than younger students. Go for it, and good luck.

Answer 9

Make sure that it is in a field that you really want and it is something that is needed out there in the real world.
It's all up to u to make it happen. Sounds like to me that you are trying to make something good happen in your life. Career change is something that needs to be dealt with as many do the same as you are thinking. it used to be, stay with the same company for many years, but so many switch to other companies these days. So there is competition out there. So make sure that it is in your heart as well.

Best of luck. !

Answer 10

In some states, it rather is illegitimate to have a sexual courting with the student regardless of their age. Texas to illustrate makes it a 2d degree criminal. California is the comparable way.