Going back to college at 37

[Gothic Sponge]

I'm going to sign up for the fall semester soon. I'm 37 years old and i have to reinvent myself. I never finished college my first run through. Luckily, the school still held my all my credits. Anyone else here in the same boat?

[fudge stripe cookays]

1. You'll do great!!

I'm planning on going back for my master's one of these days, but I was where you are in 1994. I started college in 84, but quit after my junior year, and took a 6 year long hiatus.

I was only 28, but felt positively decrepit next to the youngsters in class. I remember going to the bookstore one day and having the kid in front of me write a check. The cashier asked him for his birthdate, and he said 1977.

I thought, "This kid didn't even see Star Wars in a theater!" That's when I knew I was officially OLD.

I can definitely empathize with your situation! You can do it! :-) Plus, it's amazing how much better your grades and attitude are. When you don't go out partying every night, and are paying for things yourself while working, you'll surprise yourself with how easily school just happens for you. You'll definitely have to put in the work, but with the benefit of your real world experiences, it comes much easier to you. It did for me anyway.

Good luck!
FSC

[slackmaster]

2. Not in the same boat but congratulations and more power to you!

"Older" undergraduates have a big edge over the late teens/early 20s crowd: You're old enough to have mastered your sex drive, curiousity about alcohol and other drugs, etc.; and you probably have a much better idea of your goals.

Enjoy the liberation of knowledge!

:toast:

[hermetic]

3. Oh yes

Although I started from scratch while in my 30's. It was the best time of my life. It sure is alot more expensive now though.

[MattNC]

4. not in the same boat

But I just finished college myself and can say don't worry about a thing. It's interesting that most of my favorite fellow students were actually the non-traditional ones as opposed to my fellow young adults.

[SaveElmer]

5. Yeas I am...I'm 43

And decided to go back to school to get my Masters in History...pretty hard to do while working but it is well worth it to try and get into something you really want to do.

[Misinformed01]

6. 40....with straight "A's!"

I love being back in college...way more fun than 20 years ago!

[Kadie]

7. Good for you.

I am a little older than you, and I will probably being doing the same thing within the next couple of years.

[AlanAdam]

8. Going to school at 48

I'm almost 49, and I'm still in school. I'm presently working on toward my MS in electrical engineering. There are advantages to being an older, non-trad college student, primary among them being that GPA, honors, and such won't seem so important anymore. You will tend to be there more for the true joy of learning and satisfying your curiosity about your chosen subject material. I wish that I could have had this approach to college 25-30 years ago, but looking back in regret gains nothing - at this age I see every day as a gift, at being able to do that is a gift, too. Don't worry, just be glad for the gift of exploration and discovery.

[TNDemo]

9. I'm back in college and almost 48.

I finished the first time but am getting another degree now. I could birth most of the class but there are a few oldies like me. I could probably have birth some of the instructors too.

[SarahB]

10. I'm working on another degree at 32.

Not so bad. There's a lot of us "older" students now.

[Maine-i-acs]

11. Re-edjamicated at 36

After my employer was sold and shipped out of state, I took my severance money for a ton of technical training with computer networks. (already had a BS)

Before I could finish the course I nailed an awesome job using my new skills piggybacked on top of my old ones.

Getting sacked in 2000 was the best thing to happen to me, career-wise.

[democratreformed]

12. I wish

I did finish my first degree. BA in Biology.
Taught for six years. Left to work in the family business.

Signed up two years ago for the engineering program at ASU in Jonesboro but I haven't made it yet. I'm still hoping to make it someday, though.

[sybylla]

13. Went back part time at 31, graduated cum laude at 37

I'd be going for my masters if I had the time and money. I loved it! There are so many advantages to being a non-traditional student. The profs were very flexible and understanding when weather kept me from driving the 40 miles to school or when my kids were sick and I had to stay home. Plus the skills I built on the job really helped me stay on task and manage my time like I had never done before.

I'm glad to hear you are going for it. I was like you. I started college before I graduated high school in a special program but I couldn't do college and make enough money to live so I quit after a year and a half to support my husband through college. After our youngest got into kindergarten, I went back part time and built upon my old credits. As my kids got older, I could attend the last two years full time. Though it was a strenuous two years psychologicially and physically, I'd do it again. (though gas was only $1 a gallon then)


Fear not, Gothic Sponge. College is a great medium for reinvention. You'll do well and be amazed at how much easier the college classes seem now than they did 19 years ago.

[The Flaming Red Head]

14. I’m 40 and a college senior

I’ve been going part time 6 hours a semester (when I could afford it) for what seems like forever. Now the commute with the price of gas is killing me. Last semester I had to miss class because I couldn't afford the rising gas prices. I drive 100 miles round trip and it came down to, do we eat or do I go to school.

We chose eating and my grades were not as good as usual because it was mandatory attendance for my major.

[Gothic Sponge]

15. Weclome to DU!

:)

[The Flaming Red Head]

16. Thank you

I actually love school. I wish I could hurry up and finish, but with being a single parent and trying to work, and all that crap; I have so many other priorities.

I have to go to my part time job now.

You'll love the atmosphere at college and it is different when you go back as an adult. I started when I was 17 and dropped out and didn't go back until I was in my 30s. Big difference.

[Gothic Sponge]

18. I have to go part time to school

Money!

[The Flaming Red Head]

20. Good for you

Just keep plugging along and if you get loans (especially going part time) watch out for the interest rates don't let them eat you up too fast.

[gpandas]

17. did it at thirty-five...

and was motivated by the young people in class-no way i was gonna' let those kids beat me academically

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. Woo hoo!!! Screw the "expected", and go do what you want!

Older students make excellent students. As others have said in the thread, you should do much better because now you're going to college totally by your choice, because you want to, and have a much better handle on yourself.

I did college after high school and screwed around a lot, then went back to take some more classes a local college a few years later when I was 25 or 26, and I was surprised at how much better I did and how much more focused I was. Of course, I was doing the classes really for fun, not for a degree, but I was earning real credits. And I've noticed with the older students, in the 30s, 40s, 50s, etc., that they tend to do really well because they aren't trying to screw everyone in the school, aren't out partying until 8 am, etc.

Best wishes to you, and best of luck!! I'm proud of you for going back!

[ProfessorGAC]

21. Good For You!

I went back and got an MBA with a focus in economics at 37, too! After two other masters degrees, before i was 25, i needed a break from school. But, the company said they'd pay for it, so back i went. It took a little over 3 years, so i was 40 when i was done.

At this point, however, I AM DONE GOING TO SCHOOL! It's official! The only way i go to a classroom now is to teach.
The Professor

[Westegg]

22. I think that's great. Good luck to you. But you might find...

...that your average college student these days is coming from a VERY different place. My wife, who's your age, is getting her master's degree now, and even though she's in a graduate program, she is still regularly confronted by how different students are from when we were both in college in the '80s.

On the plus side, reinventing yourself can be just plain FUN if you do it right.

[librechik]

23. I was exactly your age when I started back

It's easier this time around, IMO. You have a clue what you are there for, anyway. Good luck!

[nini]

24. I graduated on my 35th birthday..

a friend of mine just finished at 47 - it's NEVER too late.


Good luck and enjoy! you'll never regret going back and finishing up.

[Gothic Sponge]

25. Damn, I need to proof read what i write...

I must be dyslexic!

[Redleg]

26. I didn't finish college until age 38.

Of course that was my Ph.D.