Made the Dean's List - Returning Adult College Student

[exitwound]

Way back in the summer, I posted here asking about how to return to college and wondering if it was feasible to do so as an adult. The first semester back was difficult at first, but it eased up. I'm having financial troubles now, which is my biggest concern. But I wanted to report that being an adult student is a *completely* different feeling than being a college kid of 18 just out of high school. The responsibility feels different. The rewards feel different. The overall experience is vastly different. I'd actually recommend people taking time of at 18 to explore the world around them for a few years, then go back when they know what they want to do. I think, that's why, I did so well this semester.

Effective Speech
Credits: 3.0
Grade: B+
Grade Points: 9.99

Electricity & Magnetism
Credits: 4.0
Grade: A
Grade Points: 16.00

History of Pennsylvania
Credits: 3.0
Grade: B+
Grade Points: 9.99

Introduction to Programming Techniques (C++)
Credits: 3.0
Grade: A-
Grade Points: 11.01

This is considered the Dean's List, which puts an asterisk on my transcript...dunno how much more, if anything, it gets me.

I returned with a major of Computer Science at Penn State on a 2.5-3 year program since all of my previous Geoscience credits helped me eliminate most of the gen.ed. requirements (have to take like 2 classes, including the History above). That cut off over a year of crap classes as well as all of the math and physics (but Electricity & Magnetism). I can jump right into the nitty-gritty CMPSCI classes such as Statistics and C++.

Anyway, I'm using my knowledge from Elec&Mag to fix my ISV valve and its transistors on the 944. So it's not all for nothing! I can say I paid $10,000 for my ISV job.

[vash]

NICE! i agree. as a previous member of "the Dean's other list", i agree that being a responsible adult, college is cake.

[mikester]

I graduated from Chapman University back in October of '08. I was 34 at the time.

I highly recommend doing it regardless of your age.

[vash]

it is best to figure out while you are young. way better, to start working and saving early. i graduated again, at 30. about 8 years late on any retirement plan. bummer.

[The Gaijin]

This is good news. Congratulations!

[Talewinds]

I agree with all of the above.
Although I found SUCCESS in the business world, it is not synonymous with, and should not be confused with SATISFACTION in the business world, if only I had discovered this much, much sooner.
I have been a student again for about a year and a half after a dozen years in the working world.
The personal reward I get from school now is HUGE, and meaningful.
I will be finished in a semester or so, but I really wish I could just keep going, maybe I will.
A friend once told me about his grandfather, who apparently attended school in some form or another for his entire life. This friend then compared me to his grandfather, stating that he saw me as a person that could do the same.
I told him he was crazy.
Now with a little more perspective and life experience, how I envy his grandfather!

I have a fear though.... I have always been keen about seeing opportunity. But when I look out across the entire marketplace, I am absolutely aghast, because I see NONE! Zero opportunity!
Maybe it's just not time yet...

[smokintr6]

Patrick, props to you for going back after it! Nice work on the grades too!

I've been thinking about going back myself. As I look back on my college education, I really feel like the time was *nearly* wasted, and I ended up paying for a piece of paper. To an extent I totally agree that 18 year olds should take some time off and get a job or two that they hate, but I bet many would have some trouble going back, or getting accepted. Much of what I learned at school, I needed to learn at the time... ie. how to fend for myself, how to deal with room mates etc etc etc. So to some extent college at 18 isn't completely a bad deal, even if you have to go back later to right some wrongs.

Any luck finding any grants, or federal money floating around. I sent an e-mail to OSU recently, but never heard anything back. If I had a part time job lined up, or knew I had some grants I'd be there next semester!!

[exitwound]

I'm getting nearly $5,000 per year in grants from the state and the federal government due to my age (32). Still, that leaves $10,000 per year for the tuition, $1300 of that is out of my own pocketbook. I am currently looking for a part-time job just to pay the bills. I've been living off savings for 11 months and I'm down to the bare minimum before I start having issues paying rent.

I can't believe that I haven't secured one yet, too. All I want is a cashier position somewhere, pushing carts, whatever...just to pay the bills. I have 8 years of retail experience too (what I did between my first time at PSU and now). But I can't seem to get any call-backs. Ticking me off.

What did all of you returning adults do for work while you went to class? I'm a full-time student, mind you. Night classes are NOT an option as PSU limits the night class majors which doesn't include CompSci.

[futuresoptions]

WTG from a previous National Deans List dude....

[legion]

My little sister just called me. She just got her grades and got a 4.0 this semester. She is ecstatic. My little sister is 29.

When my parents were paying for her community college, she would show up the first day of class and then never show up again.

It's amazing how much different people behave when they grow up a little, have real world experience with what a degree will get you, and are paying for something themselves.

[smokintr6]

that's exactly what I'm afraid of!! Im 25, so I'm not sure what grants if any I qualify for. I have no debt, except for studen loans from 4 years ago, but my savings would probably only last me a year at most.. I want to have some sort of income lined up. In this dismal economy my current bachelor's degree doesn't seem to be helping for a part time gig.

This may sound strange, but you should look into the Penn State theatre department for work. When I was at Ohio Northern I worked in the scene shop, and was paid reasonable money to have the most fun I've ever had at a job. If you have skilled hands (I assume you do on an automotive web board), they would probably love to employ you to build sets, do lighting etc etc. If it's anything like ONU they have ways to get around earnings caps through "special skills" programs. Depending on how much automated scenery and lighting they use, your com-sci background could get you in the door.

-Ryan

[KarlCarrera]

Congratulations Patrick! WOW, 4.0 on E & M!! I struggled with that as a young adult during my apprenticeship. You'll find a job, persistence. Congratulations again.

Karl
88 Targa

[audiman08]

Congrats! Age is irrelevant when it comes to education, as long as it leads to something you enjoy IMO. My father-in-law is going back in his late 40s and I think it's great. I decided to pursue a Navy Reserve commission in my late twenties, after spending some time enlisted. Sure, there are 22 year-olds with the same rank...but they lack the experience and certainly don't get the respect from the senior enlisted that prior-enlisted ensigns do! You made a great choice.

[Dave L]

My wife just completed her first semester for dental hygene. She has been checking daily for her marks but nothing yet. Its been a tough adjustment from being a stay at home mom for 4 years but she is happy to be going.

I am also contemplating going back as I Desperatly want to end my business career and move into something more hands on.

[fxeditor]

First off, Congrats Patrick for doing so well on your classes. Cheers to you! I think everyone should have the opportunity to educate themselves later in life for either a change in career or just for their own, personal reasons.

I myself went back to school this last semester and took a Japanese 101 class. I chose Japanese because 1, it fit with my schedule so I could still go to work and 2, because it's one of the toughest languages to learn and I wanted to see how I'd do. When I was "college age" I hated school. I also had a very hard time getting up in the morning to get there! Now going back after almost 20 years, I found that I love school! I am much more mature (obviously) and really put 120% effort into my class work. Much to the dismay of my classmates! When the semester ended last week I got an A!
So my point here is try education later in life, you might be pleasantly surprised!

Michael

[cantdrv55]

Congrats on making the Dean's List!!

I finished my BS in Info Systems at the ripe old age of 36. I'm in B-school now and expect to graduate at 48. Welcome to the club!

[ddbach]

Congratulations!
The first semester can be the hardest relearning how to study and think like your professors. Dad always pushed education telling us "I wanted to be an engineer but ..." All of my siblings and I have returned to school at some point. I decided to because I didn't want to be a "but" I wanted to be a "I wanted to be a ___ and..." It will be worth it to tell family members and any kids you may have that you decided to be an "and..."

[mikester]

Originally Posted by exitwound

I'm getting nearly $5,000 per year in grants from the state and the federal government due to my age (32). Still, that leaves $10,000 per year for the tuition, $1300 of that is out of my own pocketbook. I am currently looking for a part-time job just to pay the bills. I've been living off savings for 11 months and I'm down to the bare minimum before I start having issues paying rent.

I can't believe that I haven't secured one yet, too. All I want is a cashier position somewhere, pushing carts, whatever...just to pay the bills. I have 8 years of retail experience too (what I did between my first time at PSU and now). But I can't seem to get any call-backs. Ticking me off.

What did all of you returning adults do for work while you went to class? I'm a full-time student, mind you. Night classes are NOT an option as PSU limits the night class majors which doesn't include CompSci.

I paid quite a bit of mine out of pocket and it was not cheap. Fortunately when I started both my wife and I worked full time making pretty nice money.

Over the coarse of things I ended up working for one employer that would pay 100% without any commitment to them. The next employer (and current) requires a 2 year commitment after completion of the degree and they paid 80%. If I leave before 1 year after I have to pay back 75% of what they paid if I leave after 1 year but before 2 I have to pay back 50%.

If I were to leave today I would owe them about $2000 based on what they paid in total I think. I might revisit that just to be sure where I stand...

[Laneco]

Well done, sir!

I start again in January. Hope my results are as solid. I've been more or less "directed" to complete my degree by my boss. I'm paid well, so if this makes them happy, well, look out school here I come!

Be kind of interesting having almost 3 decades on some of my classmates - LOL!

angela

[exitwound]

Lot of late graduates here! I was always told that going back to college was rare, and that people don't normally do it.