Anyone going back to school as an adult?

[abcmommy]

I am finishing the degree I began at William and Mary umpteen years ago.  I had gone back once before but then we moved.  I have decided to go with WGU for the convenience and the reasonable pricing.  I decided to do elementary ed bc that is where my interests lie after homeschooling for so many years.  I don't think I will end up in a classroom for ever but want to start there.

 

Anyone else pursuing ed as an adult?  are your goals different?  related to homeschool?

[Catalytic]

I need to take Algebra to finish my Associate's, and *if* I can manage that, I think I'd like to pursue a Bachelor's in finance or personal finance.  I really don't have any idea what I want to do when I grow up, still...and I'm 43.

[Hen]

yes, I'm back to school. Finally decided to not work on a degree, tho.  I am working on a certificate to be a kindergarten or preschool teacher's aid...tho my interests are more for the K age, so that is what I will be looking for.  It is definitely homeschool-related, I love the whole learning to read process, but I do know, from teaching in co-ops and classical conversations that I am not cut out for running a classroom, so teacher's aid (side-kick) will work I think.  If I could go back and do it all over again, I'd love to be a reading specialist, but I'm too old, I feel to work on a degree plus a masters.  My last child is finished with homeschooling today (gasp!) so I am looking at what I will do with my time. She is going to a performing arts high school for 9th-12th grade. 

 

I am enjoying being in the classroom, I really enjoy the subject of early childhood.

 

 

[abcmommy]

yes, I'm back to school. Finally decided to not work on a degree, tho.  I am working on a certificate to be a kindergarten or preschool teacher's aid...tho my interests are more for the K age, so that is what I will be looking for.  It is definitely homeschool-related, I love the whole learning to read process, but I do know, from teaching in co-ops and classical conversations that I am not cut out for running a classroom, so teacher's aid (side-kick) will work I think.  If I could go back and do it all over again, I'd love to be a reading specialist, but I'm too old, I feel to work on a degree plus a masters.  My last child is finished with homeschooling today (gasp!) so I am looking at what I will do with my time. She is going to a performing arts high school for 9th-12th grade. 

 

I am enjoying being in the classroom, I really enjoy the subject of early childhood.

 

 

This is where my interests lie as well.  I have a dyslexic and I like small people.  Im teaching preK now.  (well, not NOW, bc it is summer.)

 

We are NOT too old.  I am 40 and looking forward to life beginning after an abusive marriage.

 

Catalytic, I am also still not quite sure what I want to be.  I have so many areas of interest... Im writing a giant annotated bibliography for my english class tonight on midwifery as a public health solution.  LOL  

[Tita Gidge]

I went back for an additional degree when I was 30. I was on an extended leave of absence from my job (3 years) and figured, why not. I took a mix of online and campus classes. My goal was to keep my brain from atrophying during my leave, as I was in the thick of parenting at that time. The first time around I had earned the degrees my parents wanted, this was a chance to study something of my own choosing.

 

It's not an easy decision to return after a long absence. Good for you, this is an exciting time!

[SemiSweet]

I'm just a handful of classes away from a BA in sociology and I'm applying to grad school for next year. I volunteer in the homeless community and would eventually like to either go that direction or toward fostering teen boys, I'm not sure how well it will serve me but I enjoy school. I may end up teaching part time at a community college too.

[Crimson Wife]

Come join us on the Adult College Students social group: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/forum/308-well-trained-adult-college-students/

 

I'm in my 4th semester of 7 to earn a 2nd bachelor's in Communicative Disorders and meet the state licensing requirements as a Speech & Language Pathology Assistant. I hope to continue on to graduate school in Speech & Language Pathology.

[Catalytic]

This is where my interests lie as well.  I have a dyslexic and I like small people.  Im teaching preK now.  (well, not NOW, bc it is summer.)

 

We are NOT too old.  I am 40 and looking forward to life beginning after an abusive marriage.

 

Catalytic, I am also still not quite sure what I want to be.  I have so many areas of interest... Im writing a giant annotated bibliography for my english class tonight on midwifery as a public health solution.  LOL  

 

I enjoy numbers (NOT Algebra, I despise Algebra with every microscopic cell in my body), and at one point had wanted to be a CPA.  I no longer have the brain power for the exam, nor do I intend to pursue a Master's...so I directed hubby to get his BS and MS in Accounting.....unfortunately, he doesn't have the time to get the experience required to sit the CPA exam, so I don't know if he will ever be a CPA either.

 

I *really* want something I can work from home, I know a statistician who works from home, and she's mentioned being possibly able to get DH a job with her company telecommuting in the future, but I'm not sure I would want to work for the same company as he (we know that isn't a guarantee, his interests actually lie in being an online college instructor)

 

I used to want to be a psychologist (it was like a fallback career when I failed at Accounting my first go-round) but I think I've outgrown that now.

 

(From the time I was 7, I wanted to be a pharmacist...a real pharmacist, counting pills by hand, compounding, etc...not punching buttons on machines like it seems to be these days.  A dear family friend was a small town pharmacist and let me "work" with him behind the counter.  Got to high school and BOMBED chemistry.  I was devastated.  Flunked Algebra a few times in high school, finally took Business and Consumer math classes so I could get the required math credits done...I LOVED those classes.  Teacher suggested Accounting.  First semester of college, best friend and I took all our classes together, she had no idea what she wanted to be, but figured an accounting class wouldn't hurt.  It was a full class, community college, 30-40 students, TWO passed...with Ds, everyone else failed.  (I failed)  That was enough for me, I dropped out, I had no clue what to do, pharmacy was out, accounting was out.  Thought I just flat out sucked at math and science.  Finally decided on psychology, did well, classes were interesting, dropped out due to a divorce.  Went back for a while years later, until we moved.  Was enrolling my oldest two for their first semester of college 8 years later, asked how many credits I had and realized I was *really* close to an Associate's, so I went back to college with them.  Squeaked by the pre-Algebra (remedial) with a C.  Failed College Algebra.  Three times.  It's the only class I need.  I'm going to try again in the fall, and spend the summer with Saxon working my way through and see if that helps?  Anyway, I can't be anything until I can complete Algebra, sigh.  My oldest two, homeschooled from 4th and 6th grades?  They both passed Algebra in college with no problems!  Got lost in the middle there...I have since taken multiple community college level accounting classes, along with physical science I and II, and I have gotten As in all of them.  I DEFINITELY know my first accounting teacher sucked, and I wonder if my high school chemistry teacher did, too, but maybe not, since chemistry ties in with Algebra.  I am angry with my accounting teacher, though, she definitely contributed to derailing my life a bit.)

Edited June 8, 2016 by Catalytic

[nobeatenpath]

I did my Masters degree first semester pregnant, second semester with a newborn. Wasn't easy, but was worth it.

 

You are never too old - my MIL finished highschool in her 30s, then decided to do an Associate Degree, then a Bachelors Degree, then started teaching primary school, then did a Masters while in her late 40s ....

[LucyStoner]

I am 35 and working towards obtaining my CPA, bit by bit. My goal is to take the knowledge from my first career that I essentially left 4 years ago and pair that with a CPA credential and either provide auditing and accounting services for non-profit organizations or possibly, depending on the circumstances be a CFO of a larger non-profit or foundation.

[Catalytic]

Yes, I'm one subject away from finishing this degree, before I move on to Masters. Totally unrelated to homeschooling. My goal is to retrain for employment, so that I can support myself once ds is finished homeschooling. 

 

I've never wanted to teach. I like tutoring one on one ( which is lucky, given the whole homeschool thing ) but I am pretty much ready to leave K-12 education behind. 

 

I've never wanted to teach either.  My mom and her sister were both elementary teachers, but that doesn't appeal to me at all.

 

I am 35 and working towards obtaining my CPA, bit by bit. My goal is to take the knowledge from my first career that I essentially left 4 years ago and pair that with a CPA credential and either provide auditing and accounting services for non-profit organizations or possibly, depending on the circumstances be a CFO of a larger non-profit or foundation.

 

My "cousin" fast-tracked through FSU, got her CPA, and got a job with Ernst and Young when she was 20.  She made more starting out than my mom (teacher) was making after 25 years.  2 years later, my cousin went back to school and became a teacher.

 

I've heard a lot of horror stories about the CPA exam, and my memory is so poor, I'm terrified I would never, ever be able to pass it.  My DH, I think he still could (years after finishing his degree) with minimal studying, it's just the experience part that he can't manage.

 

Good luck to you, I think that's an awesome goal to have!

[Liz CA]

I did my Masters degree first semester pregnant, second semester with a newborn. Wasn't easy, but was worth it.

 

You are never too old - my MIL finished highschool in her 30s, then decided to do an Associate Degree, then a Bachelors Degree, then started teaching primary school, then did a Masters while in her late 40s ....

 

Yeah, there is hope. I am on the master's path and a tad older than 40....just a tad.... :gnorsi:

[Rosie_0801]

I wanted to, but the course I want to do won't accept me unless I do a Dip Ed, and that is right up there on my list of ways I don't wish to torture myself. I need a Diploma of Alternative Education, but there isn't one. I am not cut out to be a classroom teacher. I guess I am not surprised to find there is no qualification available for a job that doesn't exist yet.

[trulycrabby]

Largely due to homeschooling, I have learned to love math and am seriously thinking about studying engineering. I will start out taking one math class at a time starting with calculus; it just so happens that one of the best science and engineering universities in the US is ten minutes away. I have a science degree with upper level chemistry, biology, physics, and math up to calculus, so hopefully it won't take four years.

 

I am 54.

Edited June 8, 2016 by trulycrabby

[4kidlets4me]

Yep. Working on my business degree so I can be a CPA someday. I'm actually interested in forensic accounting. For someone who's old I'm doing really well. I'm joining the honor society tonight. 

[LucyStoner]

I've never wanted to teach either. My mom and her sister were both elementary teachers, but that doesn't appeal to me at all.

 

 

My "cousin" fast-tracked through FSU, got her CPA, and got a job with Ernst and Young when she was 20. She made more starting out than my mom (teacher) was making after 25 years. 2 years later, my cousin went back to school and became a teacher.

 

I've heard a lot of horror stories about the CPA exam, and my memory is so poor, I'm terrified I would never, ever be able to pass it. My DH, I think he still could (years after finishing his degree) with minimal studying, it's just the experience part that he can't manage.

 

Good luck to you, I think that's an awesome goal to have!

I'm reasonably confident in my test taking abilities and have a plan rooted in my past career with zero desire to work for a large accounting firm (where burnout is legendarily high). So I'm reasonably comfortable that I can meet my goal. I did a large number of informational interviews within my targeted niche to assess the demand and several of those were late 30s career switchers like myself. I already have leads on where/how within this niche I can put in the work hour requirements necessary to obtain the license. I am nothing if not a backup planner.

[The Girls' Mom]

I am.  Mine are financial and personal reasons.  My major is accounting, although I started out as an art major.  It is part of my retirement planning  :lol:

[2ndGenHomeschooler]

I'm not yet but I plan to. I never went to college. I got married just before I turned 20 and had my first baby before I turned 21. I'm very happy with all that and think getting married early was great for me but I still plan to get a degree and have a career at some point.

 

I would like to go school for nursing and be an ER nurse. OB nurse or midwife are other possibilities. My current plan is to start classes when my youngest gets to high school. That's still a number of years off but I figure I'll have the time then. I'll start earlier if I can get the kids more independent earlier. In the mean time, I'm reading a lot and studying math and sciences alongside the kids. By the time I finish high school for the fourth or fifth time I should be set to enter college without taking a bunch of remedial classes. :-P

 

It's great to hear of other mom's doing what I plan to do. I don't think you're ever too old to learn something new or start down a new path.

[Big Buckin' Longhorn]

Yes. I finished my BA in 2014 and will start my 2nd year of a 3 year Masters program this fall. I'm over 40. I don't care. I want to spend the rest of my years in a profession I WANT, not just in whatever I can get. It's immensely difficult, but I'm not afraid of a challenge.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Not officially at this point, but I plan to take a bunch of math courses.  I'm signed up for my second course for the upcoming fall semester. 

 

At this point I just want to learn more math. 

 

 

[EKS]

I'm getting a master's degree in gifted education.  

 

People keep asking what I plan to do with it.  I was thinking I could hang it on my wall and gaze at it lovingly.

 

But seriously, aside from being interested in the topic, I'm doing it for two reasons.  (1) to show prospective PhD programs that I really can get all As all the time despite what my undergraduate record may say, and (2) to "legitimize" all the stuff I learned by homeschooling.

 

 

[MedicMom]

I earned a BA the traditional way, but it is in philosophy and creative writing and has never done much to help me get a job. I went back in January for human resource management and marketing. I am taking a full course load as I really need to get done.

 

It is much, much harder at this point in my life. I was always a good student, but merely trying to keep up with the online discussion is exhausting me right now. I wish--wish wish wish--I had listened to everyone and avoided a liberal arts degree the first time around.

[PrincessMommy]

I'm not yet but I plan to. I never went to college. I got married just before I turned 20 and had my first baby before I turned 21. I'm very happy with all that and think getting married early was great for me but I still plan to get a degree and have a career at some point.

 

I would like to go school for nursing and be an ER nurse. OB nurse or midwife are other possibilities. My current plan is to start classes when my youngest gets to high school. That's still a number of years off but I figure I'll have the time then. I'll start earlier if I can get the kids more independent earlier. In the mean time, I'm reading a lot and studying math and sciences alongside the kids. By the time I finish high school for the fourth or fifth time I should be set to enter college without taking a bunch of remedial classes. :-P

 

It's great to hear of other mom's doing what I plan to do. I don't think you're ever too old to learn something new or start down a new path.

 

similar to me, although I did do some college.   I quit college because of financial reasons when I was 20ish.  Got married at 21 and promptly went back to school fulltime.. but an unexpected and difficult pregnancy ended that.  Had our first when I was 23 and life just moved on quickly.  Now I'm in my 50s and slowly working towards some degree.   I need to figure out a major, but I'm so undecided. 

 

I mainly want to do it for me.  I regret not finishing my degree, but I have no desire to get the one I was working toward back then (Early Ed).  After homeschooling my interests have become wide and varied. 

Edited June 8, 2016 by PrincessMommy

[elegantlion]

I just finished my 3rd year of 5 to get my B.A. in history. I'm spreading it out over 5 years because divorce was the catalyst for me to attend, so I need to balance expenses correctly. I started at age 46. It's hard work, but I'm a better student now than I would have been at 18. My plan is to get my master's at least. I don't know that I want to teach, but I'd be open to college level - which means adjunct or go for my PhD. 

 

Homeschooling prepared me to be a better student. My age allows me to relate to the professors more than at 18, a lot of them are younger than me. I'm excited about learning and looking forward to certain classes this fall - such as Medieval Latin ( a special invitation class). So,yeah, there's a bit of classical influence there. 

[Rosie_0801]

Since the course I wanted seems not to be an option now, I've been poking around trying to think of an alternative plan.

 

This is only a two day thing so does not count as going back to school, but I'm thinking I'll book in for this: https://mhfa.com.au

[Runningmom80]

I'm in the process of figuring out what I need to do to get accepted to a top masters program in Public Health.  I have a very unacceptable undergrad GPA due to not really having the time to study beyond getting B's and C's. 

 

I have a 4 year plan for a 2 year Masters.  After that my kids will be going to a b&m school and I will be working in order to put said kids through college and also allow us to retire before we are 80. ;)

[Crimson Wife]

I'll start earlier if I can get the kids more independent earlier.

 

While general ed requirements can be completed slowly, be very careful about the time frame for taking any science pre-reqs. Before I settled on speech & language pathology I looked into direct entry M.S.N. programs. Even though I had all the science pre-reqs from 2 years as a pre-med, none of them counted because it had been more than 5 years since I'd completed them.

[BlsdMama]

I need to take Algebra to finish my Associate's, and *if* I can manage that, I think I'd like to pursue a Bachelor's in finance or personal finance.  I really don't have any idea what I want to do when I grow up, still...and I'm 43.

 

I took "Intermediate Algebra" last year and it was a cross between Alg. 2 and Alg. 3 online.  It was hard and I dropped it because it was going to damage my GPA.  I'm taking the ACT this Saturday so I can waive the class and just take Stats to fulfill the requirement. Something to think on.

[BlsdMama]

I'm currently in an online program.  I'll complete my AA this semester and transfer to our university.  The end goal is a Masters in Educational Psych. I plan on working within our homeschool group - they are part of a public program with incredible flexibility.  The big picture is working with dyslexia, dysgraphia, working memory, etc.    I'd love to pursue a degree in Neuropsychology, but... Life.

 

It's a long range plan.  So far I've been able to go full time and study when time is available to me, only going on campus for exams.  However, I suspect I will find the University classes harder and need to go part time. I have plenty of time - William is only almost 2.   But the nice part of the plan above is that I could do part-time and it's quite flexible, as well as my kiddos being able to take classes at the office while I work - ideally.  It works in my head.

[Debbi in Texas]

I am set to graduate in December with a bachelor's degree in EC-6. I am 54. Yes, I wish I had completed it sooner, but I am still able to teach for quite a few years yet.

[Catalytic]

I'm reasonably confident in my test taking abilities and have a plan rooted in my past career with zero desire to work for a large accounting firm (where burnout is legendarily high). So I'm reasonably comfortable that I can meet my goal. I did a large number of informational interviews within my targeted niche to assess the demand and several of those were late 30s career switchers like myself. I already have leads on where/how within this niche I can put in the work hour requirements necessary to obtain the license. I am nothing if not a backup planner.

 

Planning is very smart.  I can't imagine working for one of the large firms either, working with non-profits would be very appealing to me.

 

Largely due to homeschooling, I have learned to love math and am seriously thinking about studying engineering. I will start out taking one math class at a time starting with calculus; it just so happens that one of the best science and engineering universities in the US is ten minutes away. I have a science degree with upper level chemistry, biology, physics, and math up to calculus, so hopefully it won't take four years.

 

I am 54.

 

I wish homeschooling had had that effect on me.  I'm good with geometry, but algebra still kills me.  My kids have not chosen to move beyond algebra and geometry thus far.  DH has an easy time with algebra, so he assists when the curriculum doesn't explain it clear enough for the kids.

 

I am on my last prerequisite before applying to PA school. The hard science classes-biochem, organic chem, anatomy and physiology, micro biology, and now genetics are either going to make smarter or kill me :)  My almost 50 year old brain is tired!

 

Haha, I have a friend who just finished PA at 53.  She loves it (was in nursing prior, and has always been in school for further education, I think she's a career student who just works full-time to pay for it!), and started on her doctorate immediately.

[MomtoCandJ]

Current nursing student here :)

[Peach]

I just finished a 2nd Bachelor's degree in history and am starting grad school in the fall. My first degrees were in 1985 in Econ and psychology. You can do it! I will be 53 next week :)

[2ndGenHomeschooler]

While general ed requirements can be completed slowly, be very careful about the time frame for taking any science pre-reqs. Before I settled on speech & language pathology I looked into direct entry M.S.N. programs. Even though I had all the science pre-reqs from 2 years as a pre-med, none of them counted because it had been more than 5 years since I'd completed them.

Thanks! I didn't know this.

[FairProspects]

Are most of you paying out of pocket to go back to school at this point in life? Sometimes I think I'd love to go back and get additional degrees but we just finished paying off the student loans from the first round Master's degrees for both dh and I and I don't want to start that cycle all over again.

[Carrie12345]

Are most of you paying out of pocket to go back to school at this point in life? Sometimes I think I'd love to go back and get additional degrees but we just finished paying off the student loans from the first round Master's degrees for both dh and I and I don't want to start that cycle all over again.

 

It would be out of pocket for me, which is one of the 3 or 4 reasons I keep trying to put it out of my head.  My oldest still has at least 2 more years of college, then my girls will go one after the other, #4 will start once they're done, and #5 probably before that one's finished*.  Fitting the cost of a degree for me in there (and my dream is a masters at minimum) seems insane.

 

We just paid off dh's bachelors a few years ago.

 

 

*Of course, we assume they will all go, which doesn't necessarily mean they will.

[Hen]

yeah, I am paying out of pocket. I'm at a community college in California, so it's not terribly expensive.  I timed it to take 2 classes this Summer while my oldest is not taking classes (she likes a summer break) so the money that would go towards her college is going towards mine...also, she just applied for the police academy, if she gets in and gets hired, they will pay for her schooling when she transfers to a university (I am soooo crossing my fingers that she gets in! )  I am hoping I can start working sometime next year and help with college costs for our 4 kids. Right now, we have 2  at the community college and two in highschool. 

 

when I said too old, I don't really believe that....it has more to do with not having a degree at all, and realizing that by the time I earned a Masters degree, my dh would likely be ready to retire.  I'd have to take it slow too, I'm caring for my grandmother now.  I am using myself as an example to my kids to finish a bachelors degree so that even if they change careers later, at least they can start classes from there, instead of having to start from the very beginning like I have to. 

 

I do find that I am a better student now, being a homeschool mom has improved my study habits, organization and I can now use a MLA manual, it was all a little vague to me the first time around!

 

 

[Crimson Wife]

Are most of you paying out of pocket to go back to school at this point in life? Sometimes I think I'd love to go back and get additional degrees but we just finished paying off the student loans from the first round Master's degrees for both dh and I and I don't want to start that cycle all over again.

I chose Utah State because it was one of the most affordable online options for completing the grad school pre-reqs. It is $310/credit for out-of-state. I have some money that my late grandma put into a 529 account years ago that I had never used. That should be enough to cover the 2nd bachelor's.

 

Grad school I'm going to be applying places with scholarships. I'm also considering programs designed for those working as a Speech & Language Pathology Assistant and paying for the master's with SLPA earnings.

[elegantlion]

Are most of you paying out of pocket to go back to school at this point in life? Sometimes I think I'd love to go back and get additional degrees but we just finished paying off the student loans from the first round Master's degrees for both dh and I and I don't want to start that cycle all over again.

 

No, but I am a single parent and am low income. My school is covered through a mix of state and federal grants, institutional scholarships, and loans. This, however, is my income and the only way it works is because I live in a low COL area and attend a school with low tuition and I limit my hours per semester. 

[applethyme]

I'm currently working on my BSN.  I should finish in December. 

[abcmommy]

No, but I am a single parent and am low income. My school is covered through a mix of state and federal grants, institutional scholarships, and loans. This, however, is my income and the only way it works is because I live in a low COL area and attend a school with low tuition and I limit my hours per semester. 

 

 

I am hoping to do this eventually.  For this year I took student loans.  WGU is only 3000 a semester and I hope to complete ten classes this semester.  Can't beat that.

[Catalytic]

I took "Intermediate Algebra" last year and it was a cross between Alg. 2 and Alg. 3 online.  It was hard and I dropped it because it was going to damage my GPA.  I'm taking the ACT this Saturday so I can waive the class and just take Stats to fulfill the requirement. Something to think on.

 

I've attended 3 colleges, got 12 credits at the first one within a few years of high school, then like a 10 year break and got a bunch (aiming for psychology)at the second, then a 6 year break, completed everything I needed for an AS at the 2nd college *except* Algebra and speech, moved, started at the 3rd college.  3rd college, I needed Algebra, state gov't, federal gov't, speech, and a PE class for the degree plan, and like 22 credits at the college for their grad requirement.  Took Algebra, speech, federal gov't, and PE first term, failed Algebra, got Bs in speech and gov't, C in PE (no clue how, I don't remember getting a C, I'm generally an A/B student except algebra).  2nd term, counselor told me I could take Statistics instead of Algebra for the degree, so I took Stats, state gov't, and 3 classes for medical transcription (thought it would be something I could do at home, and the whole program was about how many credits I needed to take at that college).  My stepdad died in the 2nd month of classes, I was doing fine in Stats and gov't, though very worried about the exams for stats (proctored, no notes or book...could do the work, but couldn't remember the formulas or charts or whatever it was, can't remember now), but I was LOST in transcription.  The A&P part was easy, the terminology was easy, but the transcribing...I was lucky to understand every 50th word.  I emailed my instructors about my dad and asked what I should do, stats and gov't were understanding, but the medical instructor was like, Oh your dad would want you to focus on college, suck it up and drive on, blah blah.  I tried, I really did.  I lasted about another 2 weeks of classes before I loaded my kids in my van and went home to be with my mom.  (There was no service/funeral, he was cremated)  I'm sure I would have failed transcription anyway, and probably stats, too, because at that point in my grief, I DEFINITELY wasn't remembering anything.

 

I *should* have withdrawn, even though it was past the refund date, but I didn't.  Well, we moved again, and then moved again, and there just wasn't time/energy for college.  I finally decided about 2 months ago that by God I was going to finish this darn degree.  I'd forgotten about needing the extra credits to have enough credits at the college to graduate, so in my head, I just needed to take Algebra or Stats, and the state gov't.  DH had time to tutor me, he wasn't working 18 hour days, so I was hoping I could maybe pull a C in one of the maths and be done.  Got online, enrolled in the classes, paid for them, paid for the books to be overnighted (because the classes started in like 3 days).  College called me the day classes were supposed to start to go over degree plan, tells me they changed the degree plan, and that I do NOT need to take Algebra OR stats, that they now accept natural sciences as higher math credit, and I got As in physical science at my 2nd college, so ALL I needed for my degree plan was a gov't class, and since I was no longer a resident of that particular state...I could take fed gov't II.  AND, they'd stopped requiring proctored exams, all exams were open book/note.  AWESOME, I was high as a kite...for about 2 minutes.  She counted my credits at the college and said, well you're 18 credit shy of having enough to graduate from us, so you need to take some more classes, doesn't matter what they are.  Blah, ok, waste of money, but I'll do it.  Then she said "uh oh"...I'm like what?  You're registering as in-state, but you're out of state?  Yeah, so?  You have campuses in my state.  Yeah but they have to pay out of state tuition.  UMMMM...ouch?  (That's like triple the in-state tuition...my husband took a class there when we were out of state and paid in-state tuition, she swears up and down I'm wrong)  THEN she really drops the bomb, because I failed my last term completely, my GPA is below 2.0, so I need like 27 classes (slight exaggeration) to bring it back up for graduation.  OK lady, hell no, I'm done.

 

Sent my transcripts back to my 2nd college, and I'm waiting for them to reevaluate what's left on my degree plan there, sigh.  If it hasn't changed since I last attended, and they accept my speech class from the 3rd college, I just need Algebra.  Pretty sure Stats isn't an option there.  

 

Never heard of ACT letting you skip classes, I know about CLEP and DANTES, but I can't imagine being able to pass one on Algebra.  Somehow, someway, I will pass that darn class.  Eventually.  I know I can do all the classes for the Finance degree, they're mostly the same accounting classes DH took, and I used to play in his books to see if I could do it.

 

Are most of you paying out of pocket to go back to school at this point in life? Sometimes I think I'd love to go back and get additional degrees but we just finished paying off the student loans from the first round Master's degrees for both dh and I and I don't want to start that cycle all over again.

 

I pay out of pocket, and we are paying on DH's BS and MS student loans currently.

[Jenny in Florida]

I hope to start a certificate program this coming academic year. I've been in default on the student loans from my bachelor's for a number of years, meaning that I didn't have access to my officiat transcripts from my university and couldn't apply for admission to any other school. Otherwise, I might have done a master's a decade or two ago.

 

Now that I'm back to paid work after my "break" as a homeschooling mom, I'm working on getting the loans out of default. I should be off the naughty list in a few months, but possibly not soon enough to enroll for fall.

 

The program I'm looking at is a "technical certificate" in instructional design. It's offered by a local community college, so the tuition is quite reasonable. And all of the classes are online, so I can do them without needing to leave my dog for any more hours than I already do.

 

I can think of 100 excuses for why it's a good idea, careerwise, for me to get the additional credential, but the truth is that I just want to do it. I like school, and now that my own kids have graduated, I'm having withdrawal symptoms. I'm a good student, and I enjoy the validation and sense of accomplishment that comes from getting good grades. I've tried some less formal outlets (Coursera, etc.) and enjoyed those, too, but it's not the same as a "real" class or degree for me. So, I've decided that, as hobbies go, the cost of one or two classes a semester at community college tuition rates isn't outrageous. And it might turn out to be beneficial in the long run.

[Heidi]

I've finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up. I'm getting a 2nd bachelor's in Communication Disorders, and then a master's in speech language pathology. I'm in the same program as Crimson Wife, but I just started. I love everything I'm learning.

I got my first degree in education bc of homeschooling, but really had no desire to ever work outside the home, and definitely not in a public school setting.

Then this last fall I had a huge desire to make a little cash on the side for myself and get out of the house a few hours a week, so I got a job as an after school tutor. That was a frustrating job for many reasons, but I realized I enjoyed tutoring, so I became a private dyslexia tutor, which I really enjoy. I love working with kids and I love the one on one. But there are a few things that bother me about being a dyslexia tutor, and I really want something that I can support my family with should the need arise. So I shadowed some SLPs in my area and I fell in love! I finally found the perfect career for me. I'm excited about the journey ahead.

[Catalytic]

I've finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up. I'm getting a 2nd bachelor's in Communication Disorders, and then a master's in speech language pathology. I'm in the same program as Crimson Wife, but I just started. I love everything I'm learning.

I got my first degree in education bc of homeschooling, but really had no desire to ever work outside the home, and definitely not in a public school setting.

Then this last fall I had a huge desire to make a little cash on the side for myself and get out of the house a few hours a week, so I got a job as an after school tutor. That was a frustrating job for many reasons, but I realized I enjoyed tutoring, so I became a private dyslexia tutor, which I really enjoy. I love working with kids and I love the one on one. But there are a few things that bother me about being a dyslexia tutor, and I really want something that I can support my family with should the need arise. So I shadowed some SLPs in my area and I fell in love! I finally found the perfect career for me. I'm excited about the journey ahead.

 

That is awesome, so glad you found your perfect career!  I've dealt with many fabulous SLPs between my son and my father's nursing homes, I'm sure it will be a very rewarding career.