College, at my age?

[rattlsnak]

Well, I finally did it. I started college a few weeks ago. I have never taken one single course before so I'm statrting my B.S. from scratch. The job market has forced me to do this to open more doors. The first few weeks were a little overwhelming, but now I think I'm settling into a groove. But wow, the workload is daunting. Interesting thing though, is instead of blowing my way through it like i did all through high school, I'm actually interested in the material and have learned quite a bit already. Some courses so far have been a review of things I've learned over the course of living, (life experiences) I simply wasn't ready for college after high school, but now it's like Rodney Dangerfield time in Back to School.. lol. I'm trying to restrain myself from spouting off with the nineteen year olds when we have discussion board time, wow, these kids are clueless. ha ha ..!!

[Head416]

Good for you! When people go to college later in life - even mid 20's - they tend to take it more seriously and try to actually get something out of the experience. Crazy, I know! Most of the kids that go straight from high school are just on autopilot, going through the motions, and not learning a damn thing. That's certainly how I was when I started. You'll get much more out of it. Just get it in your head now that this is an endurance race, not a sprint. To me a degree shows determination more than intelligence. Chew off a chunk of units each quarter/semester; slow and steady wins the race.

[flipper35]

When I went back it was nice to be able to test out of some of the classes and get full credit for them.

[rattlsnak]

Thanks, and the cool part is my son starts college this fall, so it will be fun going through this together. ( As long as I graduate first.. LOL.. )

and yes, I'm getting over 30 hours of credit for "life experiences", so that cuts @ 18 months of the program..

[Mericet]

Good luck! I went back in August last year. Currently working on the last semester of my first year. No credits for "life experiences" though.

[Jagshund]

Great move! May be going back soon myself. It was a much more interesting experience going at 30 than 21. And the arguments I started with my profs held more merit- and were generally wins. Even the whole Jesse Jackson debacle.

[willtel]

The only reason I would go now is for the chicks but I don't think my wife would be into it.

Are you going to KSU?

[Erakad]

Good for you, generally I think older students are more focused and of course don't have adolescent distractions, which adds to their success. My wife has returned to school also to earn her masters, she complains of the work, but honestly loves the material.

[David]

I went back to school after I got a somewhat useless undergraduate degree. It was a lot easier the second time around because I was paying for it myself and had already gotten most of my partying out of the way.

I did notice the older students tended to ask more questions in class. I guess because they weren't scared to speak up, but sometimes they were stupid questions. I had one professor tell an older woman not to ask anymore questions because nobody else cared He was right.

Good luck!

[look 171]

I hated guys like you when I was in college. The old farts drove up the grading curve. We had an old lady who was a retired book keeper for the County taking Econ 101 with us. She was getting her BS but got As in all her test. The professor knew it, but he still graded on the curve. It killed all of us.

I like to go back and sit in some of the classed I never had time for. I slept through them just to get on with life. This time, it would be fun because the grade would not matter.

[kanadary]

lots of good scenery at school i'm sure. when i got my masters after 8 yrs in the working world.. wow, don't remember college girls looking or dressing like that! : )

[Superman]

When I took a couple of 200-level classes to finish my BS, I was 22-23. In a room full of 19 year-olds. The difference in maturity was substantial. The Human Anatomy and Physiology professor delivered a series of fascinating lectures, which almost nobody payed any attention to. The only day they paid attention was when he was going over human sexual functions. He actually included some pointers regarding how females experience sexual arousal, stimulation and orgasm. You could have heard a pin drop.

You will CRUSH those classes.

[recycled sixtie]

I got my Bachelor's degree mostly via correspondence course when I was in my 40's/50's. My wife did start her Master's Degree and then she was expecting so she had a good excuse not to finish. Now the daughter(sorry no pics!) is in her first year of Master's degree at a younger age. We are enjoying her success in our older years.

[dan88911]

Congras. Been thinking about going back as well more for personal enrichment. I am retired now however, there are skills and knowledge I would to like acquire.
Best of luck.

[BRPORSCHE]

Geaux!

[Baz]

Rattlesnake:

CONGRATS and good for you! I've been out of college now for many moons but always felt my degree was the best investment of my life. I'm still using the education I received every day. Nice to still be in my field as well....

But I have to say.....I couldn't wait to get away from school and into the real world. When I graduated I told myself "I'm NEVER going back!" The learning part was the best - cramming for exams the worst!

I'm still trying to build my knowledge - even buying new books - just got a nice one by Garrett Eckbo on Landscape Architecture in fact. But I do it at my own pace and leisure.

Again - congrats and best of luck with your endeavours!

PS - Did you say what your field of study is/will be and where you are attending?

Best regards,
Baz

[wdfifteen]

30 hours for "life experience?" Do you have to pay for it (again) or do they give it to you free?

[scottmandue]

Just curious, how old are you?

I went back to school at thirty years old... hard to believe that was *cough* twenty five years ago!!!! *cough*

[mikester]

I went to school later in life as well - in my mid 30s which was within recent memory.

=-)

I found it far easier to focus on my work rather than girls in my married 30s rather than my, well...my younger days.

Maybe one day I'll pursue a master's degree - it's a benefit where I work now but I have some other stuff to do right now.

[vash]

great idea!!

(how old are you anyways?)