College, at my age?

[rattlsnak]

I'm 48 and I'm taking all the classes through Utah State's online courses, so while I do miss out on the scenery, the content is there!

Long story short, I'm about to be furloughed from my airline in July and the job search has led me down many paths that all lead to a degree being a requirement unless I want to start at the bottom at a regional carrier again. Doesnt matter what it's in, just have to have one. (and this goes for about any decent white collar job nowadays). I just wish I would have started ealier, as now it looks like I'll have to go back to spinning wrenches for a while or so unless something else flying wise pops up.

But the reason I chose Utah was that the degree is a BS in Aviation and they gave me 30 hours of core credit because I already have my ATP and a few jet type ratings and the early courses are things like 'cross country planning', 'multi engine flying', 'turbine transition', etc. I still have to take the basic classes like math, english, history, business, etc, etc, but I should be able to complete it in less than 2 years if I max out, which I am doing so far. But so far the workload is 4-5 hours every single night and that keeps me about a week ahead right now. Funny thing is, Early American History has been the most interesting so far, and I hated history in high school! But i agree whith the other posts above, I am in a totally different mind set these days and am actually enjoying learning!

[vash]

i am impressed!! count me in for the graduation party!!

how long is this gonna take you? i know what you mean about History. when i was younger..it was snooze-ville. i went back when i was older too....that class rocked!!

[Jagshund]

Oh. Only 48? I thought this may have been you:

South Florida Man Proves It’s Never Too Late To Return To School « CBS Miami

[recycled sixtie]

Congratulations to all of the above that have gone back to school. It takes guts and determination to succeed at an older age. However the sea of young faces surrounding you likely won't be so dedicated as the mature students. Cheers!

[Mericet]

Yes, not always easy to go back. I am 45 and do not have a choice but go to school each day. I am also the oldest person in our class. That is not the norm as there is always at least one or two people that are of retirement age in our curriculum. To make it more interesting, we are doing group projects at the moment and the other three people in my group are all 21 or younger.

[azasadny]

Congrats! It's never too late to go to college if that's something you want to do!!!

[imcarthur]

Good for you. I went back - well not really cause I never went in the 1st place - for a couple of courses. As a mature student, your attitude is completely different.

Ian

[A930Rocket]

Congrats!

I'm debating to go back now to get a second degree (first one was a BA in Management).

Just need to decide what major, if it's worth it at my age (53), what I'll gain or help me at work.

[Evans, Marv]

Congratulations! It's a great effort on your part, and I hope it's truly worth it in the end. I went after I had worked for several years after HS and after I got out of the Army. I sort of felt out of place for a while around 18 & 19 year olds and me being in my mid 20's. One thing I hated, and I hope you don't end up contending with it, was politics and favoritism in the department during my upper level classes. I hate it in the first place and really didn't expect that kind of thing ro rear its head in that environment. All of us who have spent time in the workplace know about it. Doing courses online should insulate you from that sort of thing. Good luck & go for it.

[Bill Douglas]

Any pics of cute girls much appreciated.

[rfloz]

I returned to college and finally completed my B.A. in 2007 at age 63 and there were at least two people older than that in my graduating class, including a federal judge.

Absolutely worth the effort! I am currently considering an on-line M.A. program.

Go for it!

[56 nomad]

imho, i don't think you are ever too old to get excited about something new, one is never too old to go back to school. i would see the upside as circumstances have given you the opportunity to revisit/rethink and redirect your life.
i have been a professor for almost 35 year and i see people coming back to the university all the of the time, starting the careers they originally wanted...no stigma attached to their age ( might be hard to pull the all nighters lol).
i think it is good to be a life long learner. you can teach an old ...... you get the point .
good luck with your studies, enjoy the start on your new life!
regards professor ben no spell or grammar check