Going to school in you 40's is it hard?

Question

I dropped out in 9th grade and now I have money and time to go back to school is it really worth it?

I think personally to have a degree, is so important. I have been so limited for so long.

and I really get a kick out of World economics, can I major in that?

Geez I need help.
and where should I go for Online classes?

Answer 1

It should not be hard, you are there for one reason, make your self better and adding to your knowledge. Don't care about what people think, they are there for the same reason. Mostly every one is pretty mature if you will be taking college classes. Mainly focus on doing good, turn all your assignments on time, and meet some one your age, that way you both don't feel like outsiders, and can relate (always feels nice having someone in class you can relate to). Good luck in school, wishing you the best....JOel

Answer 2

It is not really hard but you can dedicate yourself to the task at hand. It is worth it even if it is just for the satisfaction in knowing that you have attain something. If others can do it you can too.

The thing about going at this time is that your children might have pass the age of you having to care for them so you have a lot of time on your hands now.

You can major in anything providing that you have the required amount of subjects or unless you go in as a mature student. Some universities allow for that and use less restrictions.

You can go on-line for on-line courses. Just put in on-line course and something should come up but it would be a different experience rubbing shoulders with younger students.

Go for it, I did and I succeed and I only went because everyone else was going. I wanted to prove a point.

Answer 3

Congratulations on thinking about furthering your education, you won't regret it. You still have 20 to 25 years of working life, that's plenty of time to start a new career.

Do you have your GED or high school diploma yet? If not, you can study on your own for the GED. There are plenty of study guides available at major book stores. If you don't feel confident on that, you can actually get a high school diploma. Be careful on which one you pick though because there are many that are fraudulent. Here are some valid ones for you to choose from:

http://www.pennfoster.edu/diploma/index.html
http://scs.indiana.edu/hs/highschooldiploma.html
http://nebraskahs.unl.edu/index.shtml
http://www.utexas.edu/cee/k16/index.php?page=diploma§ion=1

The first one is a private company that is accepted as providing a valid high school education. The other three are run by state universities. All will award you with an actual high school diploma that will be accepted at colleges.

The state universities and community colleges will be the best and least expensive way to further your higher education online. Usually degrees obtained online from state universities and colleges will be no different than a degree granted to a student sitting in class. You probably won't get a scholarship, but financial aid is possible.

Stay away from the for-profits because of high cost. Some will be reasonable, but most, like University of Phoenix, overcharge.

If you are just starting your college education or have less than 60 semester credit hours, try your local community college first. They may have an online AA degree program. If they don't, try other community colleges in your state.

Once you have an AA degree, you can enroll in an online bachelor's degree completion program at one of the state universities. Many state universities now have online degrees. The following are some websites to get you started.

http://www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/
http://www.peru.edu/offuttafb/degreeprograms/onlinelearning.htm
http://outreach.uwyo.edu/ocp/
http://www.distance.msstate.edu/
http://www.distancelearning.ufl.edu/degrees.aspx
http://www.apu.apus.edu/index.htm
http://www.online.uillinois.edu/
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ode/CollegeOverview.asp

Fort Hays has an online AA degree program and tuition is extremely reasonable at $137 per semester credit hour.

When you choose a school, make sure it is at least regionally accredited. You can check accreditation at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.asp You can learn more about accreditation at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

Since you probably haven't been to college yet, you might not know about credit hours. Typically, credit hours are offered in two ways depending upon the school, semester hours and quarter hours. A typical college course will be 3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours. A typical associates degree will be around 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours. A bachelor's degree will be around 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. This distinction is important when comparing tuition costs. A school that charges $200 per semester credit hour is cheaper than a school that charges $175 per quarter credit hour. To convert from quarter hour tuition to semester hour tuition, divide the quarter hour tuition by 0.67. For example, $175 / 0.67 = $261.19 per semester credit hour.

Finally, there are a couple of forums online with members who have obtained their degrees online. Some have gone pretty far with their online degrees. The forums are free to join but you can read the forum without joining. You just won't be able to post. http://forums.degreeinfo.com and http://www.instantcertonline.com/forums

Good luck

Answer 4

Formal education is something no one can take away from you. Go back to school, I finished up my B.A. in my 40's. It was a little tuff with 2 kids. But there are so many options to the traditional sitting in a classrom kind of education. Speak to counselors at traditional, online and excellerated school programs. You might find you have more of what might be translated into formal education than you think. Your life long skills will be valueable in evaluated exactly where you fit in academically.

Answer 5

No its not, but its hell of expensive. Major in anything that will help you now and in the future. Hope everything goes well in class.

I suggest taking school near you. Schools that offer Online Classes should be there.

Answer 6

I restarted college after six years. The first few months can be tough. It is better and easier if you make friends with young students.

Answer 7

its soooo worth it. and besides, by time your our age, aou lives have settled enough to think about and plan for education. its never too late to become educated in something your interested in. i have one degree and am planning to further my education to a higher one, if nothing more than for myself. this is a personal endeavor, i love education, its one thing they cant take from you, what you know, that is.

Answer 8

Yep ask my aunt Sally who decided to quit her job as a dentist to become and accountant.. shes weird, but her husband makes enough money for the both of them...

Answer 9

no, i don't think so because,in my country there is a man who is 45years but he stile gos to school.