I am almost 29 years old, am I too old to go back to school? I have been out of high school for almost 10 yrs.

Question

I am a married mother of 4 girls. (12, 10, 4 & 2 years) I have been working full time since graduation and have always wanted to go back to school to become a teacher, but could never seem to find the time or money. Recently I was talking to my husband about being a stay at home mom and he agreed that I could quit my job, stay home and we would manage. I began to think about what I would do if something happend to him and i am left with 4 girls and no real way to support them. I have worked in child care for 3 years before and have been working the last 6 years for an attorney taking in traffic tickets. I can answer phones and make my way around a computer and fax machine but other then that I have no real skills. I have been thinking about going back to school full time to become a teacher but I am concerned about the costs and how long it will take. I am also feeling guilty about not being there for my girls, I know in the long run this will be better for all of us.

Answer 1

Definitely go back to school. You can be there for your girls and go to school. You don't have to go to school full time. You are still young compared to some. The story above about a 95 year old woman is just an example. I have an Aunt who received her first Master's degree at 60. She now has two.

Go to your local community college and talk to them. If there isn't a community college in your town, look up some community colleges in your state online. Call them and find out what programs and/or courses they have available online. Since you are interested in becoming a teacher, you will need to eventually get a bachelor's degree. Therefore, you should start with an AA. Once you have your AA, you will be able to get into most public universities in your state.

Start out slow and take only one course. This will allow you to spend the most time with your kids and give you an idea of the typical college course workload.

Another suggestion I have is for you to consider credit by exam. Most community colleges and state universities accept CLEP and DSST tests for college credit. With a study guide and a few weeks study, you could get three or more credits by passing a single test. For more information, go to http://www.collegeboard.com and http://www.getcollegecredit.com If you have questions about these tests, go to http://www.instantcertonline.com/forums for a group of people who have used CLEP and DSST tests successfully to further their education.

Good luck to you,

"We have a hunger of the mind which asks for knowledge of all around us, and the more we gain, the more is our desire; the more we see, the more we are capable of seeing."
- quote of Maria Mitchell

Answer 2

You are NOT too old!

Do it.

You don't need to go back full time. That's really hard when you have kidlets. Don't do it to yourself or to them (or to your husband, for that matter).

Start by taking a class a semester.

When they're all in school themselves, you could take 2 per. Later, you can take more.

That way you get the hang of being in college (which is different than high school -- you have to do a lot more on your own), get used to being a student again, and get a better idea of what's involved, and develop systems for managing school and home.

You could start with a class at night -- when your husband can watch the kids.

There's something you really want to do.

You can afford it.

Go for it.

You'll regret it if you don't.

You can work in temp jobs during school breaks, if the money is tight.

Community Colleges are low tuition. You could take the first 2 years worth there, and transfer to a four-year.

Or not. Go to a 4-year from the start.

So what if it takes longer part-time? Those years won't be horrible, as the burden will be relatively light. (Full time, with 4 kids would be really hard on all six of you.)

You'll probably enjoy it, too. And have interesting things to talk about with your husband and girls.

Do it.

Answer 3

It's never too late. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for your girls.
And did you know that there are certain positions as a teacher's aide in certain states that doesn't require a college degree?
On top of that, in states like NY, where I'm from by the way, and I work for the Board of Ed here, the government helps you pay your tuition if you want to go back to school. That is, as long as you become a permanent worker for them. So you start off as a substitute of some kind and after taking the test and the certifying classes needed, a school can hire you permanently. At that point, you take advantage of all the benefits they offer.
I'm only 20 and still in college. They got a position called paraprofessional, look it up, and that's what I'm doing now. You get to work with mentally challenged kids and kids with behavior problems and it teaches you a lot. If nothing else, it teaches you to appreciate your own life and your kids. It pushes you to do better and definitely will make you want to pursue a career as an educator if that's what you want.

Good luck with everything and remember that it's never too late.

Answer 4

I went back to do an education degree at 27, and it was the best choice I ever made (I also waited 10 years, though I had always attended school part time, while working full time, to work on my first degree). I found that waiting and having some life experience made the process of completing my B.ed degree so much nicer. Many student teachers are struggling with figuring out their lives, and being somewhat settled in your family life can be an advantage.

Also, it will be easier for you to focus on what is important, and do well academically, as you have taken the time to really decide what is important for your education. (And you've obviously got a great work ethic if you're raising four children).

Remember; you will be setting a great example for your girls, and providing them with such a positive model. Yes, it will be tough, but it will fly by, and before you know it, it's over! Just tackle it step by step. Focus on one semester at a time. The costs were a major hurdle for me, but I somehow scraped by (with no support). You can do it! Good luck.

Answer 5

First of all.... it's never too late.
Secondly, I know the cost concerns you, but the cost is much greater down the road if you don't do it now. Think of your girls, think of how they will look at you when they see how you decided to go to school to obtain your goals. They will see that you wanted not only a better life for yourself, but for them as well. My mom was left by my dad when she was pregnant with me, and my brother was 2. (Not saying this will happen) But she went through a hell of a time because she was a stay at home mom since marriage. No college, no experience. She worked 2 and 3 jobs just to survive. She was lucky to have my family to help, and eventually my stepdad, who allowed her to be a stay at home mom, so she could go back to school, and become a nurse. I look at her and think how amazing she is for doing that. It takes great courage, and she is happy, and loves her job, and has money to do the things she wants. All because she went back to school, and now I am older, and see what that experience did for her, I want my RN license before I am 26, I learned from her, how tough it was. But she is so happy she did, and always says she would do it again.
Go for it... don't be scared, you can do it, sounds like you have good support. best wishes!! Take care!

Answer 6

I think it would be great to go back to school, part- or full-time. I think you can still have time for your family if you go full-time. In college, you do set your own class schedule. So, you could schedule all of your classes around the middle of the day and be able to send your kids off to school in the morning and tuck them in at night. If you go full-time, assuming that you're starting from scratch, it will probably take 3 or 4 years to complete the degree, more if you do part-time. Costs are always a concern. It may be helpful to find an inexpensive (but still accredited) program near your home. Also, I'm sure scholarships and grants are available for returning students.
Good luck!

Answer 7

Well to be honest, a teacher's working salary is not very much.... And higher education (college) really teaches you how to think and not professional skills, unless you go into a technical school to obtain associate degrees, usually 1-2 years. As far as higher education is concerned, you're never too old. Yahoo news covered a woman who recently graduated at 95, possibly the oldest person to graduate from college.

I say you should be on the lookout for technical colleges and look into a specialized field other than teaching.

Answer 8

I was in the same predicament. Luckily with the help of my supportive husband, I went to school full time for 4yrs at the age of 35. I figured I wanted to get it done asap...wasn't getting any younger. The first year was the toughest...starting all over again with the demands of school assignments and all. But after the first year, I just said, "One year down, three to go!" and kept on plugging away until the final semester of the fourth year.I was pregnant at the time with my third on the way. Hanging on the wall, is a priceless picture of my pregnant self, wearing a black graduation robe with my loving children and husband. My hujsband said that when he saw me walking down to receive my diploma w/ honors, he had a lump in his throat...and he is not one to let his emotions show too often. So, ask yourself this question: Will you look back in your life and regret not getting your degree? Don't let age stop you. By the way, being a teacher is awesome, and having the summers off with your family is something very few people have. So go for it!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

I am a 47-year-old single (divorced) mother with a 7-year-old child whom I homeschool. I worked for years as a secretary, administrative assistant, medical school admissions officer, etc. Currently I work from home as a transcriptionist, proofreader, and editor. However, I will return to college this fall to complete my degree in English via an online degree program; I would love to attend traditional classes, but because of my child's needs, I will not be able to do this.

It is never too late to return to school, and for me, my education will not be complete until I have both a bachelor's and a master's degree. It will take me approximately a year and a half to complete my bachelor's degree; I will enter a master's program shortly thereafter. Throughout my career, I have learned much on the job, through college and continuing education classes, and via reading many a book; nevertheless, my education is still incomplete, without a formal degree.

My best friend is a single (divorced mother) of a 17-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son. Both of her children entered college this past fall. In the last six years, my friend has obtained a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and is now working on a second master's degree. This very intelligent woman has now decided to obtain a Ph.D. She is truly an inspiration to me.

If she can do it, so can you and I; we will do what we need to do to assure a brighter future for ourselves and our families.

Answer 10

You are never to old to go back to school - you might want to take it in baby steps -part-time at a community college and see if academia is for you - also work study programs - which allows you to use your skills get a discount on tuition and other benefits -depending on the college or university - also you will be setting an good example about the importance of education for your girls - as they will soon be looking into there futures - use your experience to help them explore career and future opportunities - by linking in a balanced approach to this you may get many benefits besides a degree