maddykate Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Is this crazy? I have always wanted to be a nurse and have taken a few classes over the last twenty years, but for various reasons (having babies, numerous military moves, bad timing) never got my degree. All those above reasons have cleared away... Kids are much older and more independent, we have retired from the military and settled down, and I am basically wide open with time to devote to going back to school, as dh is here to help school the kiddos while I am gone. I am worried because I have an old brain :). Or so it feels. Is it crazy to go back now? Any folks that have btdt? How did it work out for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Go for it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Definitely go for it! I finally finished my bachelor's degree when I was 40. I'm now in my first term of my master's program at 43 years old. I'm taking online courses, which is also how I finished my bachelor's degree. I love school! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I'm going back for my masters in a couple of years. Hope to start when 35. Life expectancy is around 80 now. 38 is still young. I say go for it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I went at 43 and loved it. The young girls were my dd's age but they treated me like a peer. I felt more capable with my classes than I did when I was 20. Unfortunately, I did not finish my degree. I had 3 teens homeschooling and I was out of the house too much. I was an education major and had to spend a lot of time at the Montessori school and the Boys and Girls Club. I was going to take off a semester, but then didn't go back. I'd go back again if I didn't have kids close to college themselves. I can't justify the cost for myself anymore. Go for it. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrookValley. Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 It's not crazy at all! There are lots of options for an adult returning to school. College isn't just for the 18-22 set anymore. Many community colleges are very flexible and adult-learner friendly; of course, there are also several good online options these days, too. If you are wanting to complete your bachelor's, I would suggest starting at a community college--it's a lot cheaper to get your core credits out of the way through a local community college. Here in my neck of the woods, you can get your associate's through the community college and then transfer all credits seamlessly to the state university to complete your bachelor's. It is a lot cheaper this way and, if you're worried about returning to school after a long hiatus, you may find that the community college is a bit more gentle way to get back in the swing of things. Bonus with our local programs: most of the degree options can be completed either in the classroom or entirely online (or a combination of both). You should totally go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 no, not crazy at all. i'm 41 & i wouldn't think twice about going back to school! definitely go for it!!! :) on a side note -- when i was in college, there was a man in his mid 70's attending there. he was working on his 6th degree or something. as a senior citizen, he could attend any university for free in GA, so he just collected degrees for fun. he said it kept him young. i thought it was awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 A friend of mine went back in her early 40's. She had been doing quite well but then got very ill, missed too much, and was cut from the program. She hasn't given up. She found another program at another school. My mil went back to college in her 70's. Just for fun. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Go for it. I frequently have students of your age in my college classes. They are usually very motivated, and some do extraordinarily well. Last year I had a homeschooling mother of four who aced my course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 If going back when you're 38 is crazy then I must be downright insane. I've just started classes and I'm 49. I say go for it and enjoy yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 My former high school librarian and drama club director went back to school in her 40s and is now an optometrist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedmom4 Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 A friend of mine is doing this. She just finished up some prerequisites, took the ACT, and will be applying to nursing programs. She is 39 and has two teens at home. I say go for it! God Bless, Elise in NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I hope to go back in my late forties, so you better not be too old ;) I was also in a nursing program before life got in the way. The older students in my class were top of the class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Double post. This is starting to get old :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I've had a number of older students in my classes at the cc. I don't know that I've ever been the oldest in the classroom. Years ago I taught a woman in her 50s who had just gotten out of an abusive relationship and was doing things she'd always wanted to do. She was hoping to get into the nursing program. I don't know if she did, but she did well in my class. So many young students now have entitlement issues. I don't see that as much as a rule with the older students. Don't worry about your age - just do your best! If you are going into nursing, acceptance into the programs can be tough. Be sure you read everything on the website about requirements & sometimes there can be ways to get into the program faster. Attend any informational meetings you can so you know what you're getting into. And good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I did/am doing exactly that. And I didn't have one single credit to my name before age 39. It is a slow way of doing it, but I am very happy I'm doing it. No old brain problems, either. I find most of my studies interesting and have gotten an A in every class but one B in a math class. Not to brag. But I am proud of it! :coolgleamA: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I did/am doing exactly that. And I didn't have one single credit to my name before age 39. It is a slow way of doing it, but I am very happy I'm doing it. No old brain problems, either. I find most of my studies interesting and have gotten an A in every class but one B in a math class. Not to brag. But I am proud of it! :coolgleamA: You should be proud! I am concerned that I won't keep up... my study skills were horrible when I was first a college student. This is very much on my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 You should be proud! I am concerned that I won't keep up... my study skills were horrible when I was first a college student. This is very much on my mind. I really think a lot of it is that I'm willing to put in effort that younger students are often not. I also find many things interesting, so that helps. For example, when I was 20, I probably would not have cared one bit about choosing a Human Body System and relevant disorder for Biology. But with my "advanced life experience" ;) , I chose the Central Nervous System and Parkinson's Disease. My mother has PD, so it had importance that it would not have had 20 years earlier. It's relatively easy to learn something that has interesting features and/or relevance to your life. I think that is an ace the older student has in hand. :thumbup1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddykate Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 Thank you all for the encouragement! I am looking into programs in my area and am quite excited about it. As a previous poster suggested, it looks like the CC is the way to go for my Associates degree and then transfer to an University for higher degrees. Hopefully, I will be able to get started in March. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Glad to see your update that you're going for it! :thumbup: Don't think of your brain as "old" - think of it as "primed". :) You're never too old to learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Absolutely. Look, you're gonna turn 40 either way. You might as well do it with a degree under your belt! I am 42 and am tossing the idea around of going back for PhD. People think THAT'S crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 My mother celebrated her 50th B-day in a VERY well known law school in Washington DC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Go for it. My dh went back to college to finish his undergrad at 43 and at 46 is finishing up his masters. He has been doing it all online. If it is what you want I say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misidawnrn Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 The only thing that might be hard is the computer learning (at least it was for me because it required more focus). I went to nursing school the first time for my associates at age 19, finished at 23. I finished my bachelors at age 38 and now I am 39 and just started my masters. I can totally relate kids, work, etc. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 my niece's hs boyfriend's mother went to medical school when her kids were in jr high. (so she was a resident when they were in high school.) i'd say - go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebunny Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Thank you all for the encouragement! I am looking into programs in my area and am quite excited about it. As a previous poster suggested, it looks like the CC is the way to go for my Associates degree and then transfer to an University for higher degrees. Hopefully, I will be able to get started in March. Thanks again! :thumbup1: I'm in my 30s too and will be going back to college in June for my Masters. Good Luck to us both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Not crazy at all. My only concern would be the nursing itself - it seems like a physically demanding job. I know that I personally would not be up to it in my present condition! So I would want to know how long it might take to move into a more admin position, how likely that is, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 I want to go back to be a pharmacist. Ah maybe when dd starts school full time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Lucky you! Definitely not too old at all! Heck, I'm 10 years older than you, and I'm so jealous that my ds is starting cc classes - I want to go too! My mom went to college the same time as me and graduated the year after I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lattedrinker Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Do it! A side benefit is that you can model being a good student for your kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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