Is it too late to get my degree?

[YellowRoseTex]

It is never too late to get your degree. I started working right away after graduating high school. I was young and foolish, I thought I didn't need a piece of paper. While I did luck out and did fairly well in my career, I always regretted my decision not to go to college.

At the age of 31, I decided that I was going to fulfill my dream and go back to college. It took me many years, but in May 2005 I graduated! I was absolutely beaming!

While still in school, I was laid off from my job and had to start hunting for a new one. So many of the jobs I was qualified for insisted on a degreed person. I finally did find a job, but it was at a much lower salary than my previous job. However, once I received my degree and received my next review, my salary grade code was upgraded because I had my degree.

It is never too late to get an education. Education is important and is a very rewarding experience.

[Kathy]

I think you are awesome! You are encouraging and an inspiration to others. Congrats on that degree!

[Carmen]

After working as a registered nurse for nearly two decades, a friend of mine went to Law School and obtained her law degree at the age of 45. If I wanted to change careers, I'd have no problem with going back to school at age my ripe old age of 53. I know lots of people who have attended college as adults well in their 30's and 40's to earn a Masters or Doctorate in order to advance in their chosen field.

When I was in college, it was unusual to have an "adult" in our classes. They were sort of a novelty. That certainly is not the case at colleges and universities nowadays.

[Kate]

Wow, Kim, that is awesome! Congrats to you.

I remember reading somewhere, that time will pass whether or not you decide to go back to school. At the end of a few years, you either have the degree or you don't.

I admit, that when I started back this past fall, a part of me didn't feel like a college-aged kid. But there are people at all different ages attending for all different reasons.

[clogaholic]

I've often though of going back to school but haven't managed to so far. My sister did recently go back and get her nursing degree. Maybe between her and ((( Kim ))), I'll finally be inspired enough. What I'd really like is to go to culinary school. My DH and I have dreamed of opening a small cafe for years now. Maybe someday.....

[Melody]

Jean, is there a culinary school close to you? Do you have their latest catalog? Is there just one class you might be able to sign up for now?

[clogaholic]

There's not one real close but I live pretty close to Houston and there's choices there, I think. A friend and I have talked about going to some of the cooking classes that some of the stores and restuarants have . I think that would be fun - and I wouldn't have to fret about being graded :D

[YellowRoseTex]

:hellowave What I did was to start slowly. I just took one class to see how I would do and to get back into the swing of things. Don't overload yourself, I did it one class at a time. A few semesters I took 2, but three was too much. I attempted three one semester and ended up dropping one of the classes really quick! Take your time and enjoy it! If you try to do too much, you will only stress yourself out and not enjoy it.

*penguin*

[Ms Big Butt]

My grandma was a teacher all her life... back then (1920's), you only had to go to school for 9 weeks to be a teacher!! She always wanted to get her BA, and took a class here and there over the years. When she was in her late 70's she was able to finally arrange her last two classes at Drake University.

One class required that she complete a geneology study, and she decided to travel to Europe to gather some of the info. The finished product looks like a school yearbook, bound & printed on special long-lasting paper, and includes 6 generations. My grandpa was one of 23 children, so there was lots of history to include... haha

The other class required that she write her life story, which she did in longhand, with lots of photos and news clippings. I like this book better, as it's more personal.

Grandma graduated in 1981 at the age of 81. It was Drake's 100-year anniversary and they made a big deal about it, but she didn't see what all the fuss was about. hehe

My grandma always said that no matter what happens in life, they can never take away your education, what you have learned.

Thanks for starting this thread, Kim :)

[DayDreamer]

(((Kim)))

You are quite an inspiration! I'm so happy for you to accomplish your goal! You must be very proud!

I majored in Social Work in college but I find I'm not interested in that now. I have thought about going back to school to learn something new, but there's so much out there that interests me, I just can decide.

I know I will eventually go back and that it's never too late to learn. You have certainly inspired and given me the courage to do it. Now...what to study???

Deb

[Glinda]

I’m back in school, finishing the nursing degree I started two decades ago. I’d worked in the medical field for several years and loved it, but my priorities changed… (Moved out of state for my “Mrs.” degree instead, then started our family, etc.)

Now that the kids are older it’s time to do this for me. It is humbling going back at this age, but I’m not getting any younger – so I figured I’d better get going!

[bumblebeequeen]

You girls are awesome!
It's never to late to spread your wings and fly somewhere new!

[spasmo]

For me it was easier to go back to school when I was in my late 20s. I tried to go to a university after highschool, and I just was not ready. After that awful semister I went to art school and two years later I graduated from there. But I never really got over my A&M experience and I was glad when my husband and I decided to "go back to school". By then I was in my late 20s (and he was in his early 30s) and we both worked full time and went to school full time. I don't remember it being hard, since this time it meant something special to me. I was working for it... working HARD for it. We stayed through my masters and his PhD. It took seven years. If I can do it, I KNOW others can. It is NEVER TO LATE! GO FOR IT!!!!!!

[SausaC]

I too went back to college later in life...at the age of 31 with a one-year-old child and a nine-year-old child. I now have my bachelor's in nursing. I didn't like floor nursing, so now I teach nursing!! I'm going back this summer...at the ripe old age of 41, to get my master's in nursing education. Now, I'm a single mom working two jobs, but without that degree it would be three or more jobs. It raised my self-esteem and made me realize my value as a person. I recommend it to everyone.


SausaC

[magandab]

I worked as a legal secretary for years, and at age 40 I went back to school to become a paralegal. It took 4-1/2 years, taking one (sometimes 2) classes at a time, while working full time. But, I did it, got my certificate and now working in the field. Best thing I ever did and I was SOOOOO much better at it than when I was just out of high school.

[SouthDakotaSherry]

Kim,

Congratulations. I started late as well. I went to college straight from high school, but allowed my father to influence my choices. Becoming a computer programmer was not right for me, so I dropped out and got married. When I was 35, I decided to follow my dream to become a teacher. With the credits I already had, I was able to get my degree in two years and become a computer teacher. Now at the age of 45, I have decided it is time to get my Master's degree. I only started a few weeks ago, but am worried insanity took over when I made the decision to take 9 credits while teaching middle school full-time and an adult class part-time. I will endure though. I don't know any other way.

Thanks for being inspirational!

Sherry

[YellowRoseTex]

Congrats to all those who have returned to school :cheerlead It is a rewarding experience.

[Parrothead]

I left college 9 credit hours short of my degree, an AS in Business Administration. I recently obtained a copy of my transcript and have been working with an adviser to get started on finishing it. However the 9 hours have grown, now I need 34! That's at one college, I'm also checking with a community college.

[SouthDakotaSherry]

Keep checking Mary Lou, but even if you have to do 34, go for it! You just won't regret it!

Sherry

[flyingfrog]

WTG KimM !!! WOOOO HOOOOO!!! :)

I would love to go back to college but without the funds for it, it's been very hard for me. I can't afford a loan and can't find a grant to help pay for college. I'm 42 and burned out from my job (I'm a school custodian) and can't find anything without a degree or at least two years of college.

[chickadee]

I think the way to look at is: "In five years i will be five years older no matter what, would i rather be five years older with a degree or with out one." it is never to late and education is always a useful thing!!

[Mori]

It's never too late to go back to school & get a degree or finish one that wasn't. I went to College Adult Education at 40. It gave me great satisfaction because it was something I hadn't done at a younger age & I got my degree in Early Childhood Education.

[Mysty]

You did great Mori... I was thinkin about getting my ECE. I have worked in the field and was an ECE assistant for a few years. I started it night courses but had to move so never got back into it.

[BBShopMom]

Yay Kim! :D

What an inspiration. It is one of my long time dreams to go back to school and get my degree in Nursing. Ultimately I want to specialize in Oncology.

I finally realized that this is something I could do no matter what my age was. The Oncology practice I work for let me take a position working at home so that when my son is in school full time, I can start back too. My family is totally on board with me, which makes it so much easier! And now I have a whole new place to draw inspiration and encouragement!

[AgingGracefully]

As an academic advisor, I work primarily with adult students who have decided for one reason or another to complete their education or to earn a different degree. Many will say that when they were young they really didn't know what they wanted to do or they didn't appreciate the value and importance of education. Keep in mind that there are many ways to earn college credit, that will shorten the amount of time it takes to earn the degree in addition to decreasing the cost of the degree. Many colleges have programs where you can earn credits for life/work experiences. Look into these. Adults learners have had all kinds of life experiences. Another option is Clep/Dantes testing, where you can test out of certain subjects. Also look into accelerated or degree completion programs. Compare colleges. There are lots of choices and lots of opportunities. Adult learners are becoming very commonplace, and schools are recognizing them by awarding credits for life skills. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Pester your advisor. Good Luck to everyone who decides to take the step and start/finish their education.
Kathy

[SlaveToDogs]

Aging Gracefully,

I couldn't agree more! The first graduate course I took was "Adult Learning and Development". I might add it was very useful, because I have utilized that course in my work experiences with clients and with designing trainings and in the 2 masters degrees I've earned since then! One of the key things I remember was that the difference between adult learning and pedagogy (kids) is that when adults seek out learning experiences they're very goal oriented and focused. And it's true -- when I started grad school I was in an entry level position as a counselor and so when I started taking courses in counseling, I just sucked the information up like a sponge because it was all applilcable to what I was doing every day. Also, I found that I had observed a lot of patterns in my work, and so learning the formal "theory" was a total "ah hah" experience! I discovered out that others had given formal names to my observations! It was really thrilling, and for the first time in my life I got straight A's because I was being taught stuff I wanted to know. It was truly invigorating and totally different than being in the classroom in my undergraduate years when I didn't really know what I wanted to do and I did enough to get B's.

You're never too old to learn.

With that said, women need to be mindful of how much time we can afford to take ourselves out of the workforce to return to school, and we need to have a pretty good idea of what the return on investment might be. Going to school part time is not a problem. But here's a for instance: If I were to go for a PhD (which I've seriously thought about), I'd easily have to take several years off to do it, or reduce my earnings and benefits significantly. Aside from whether or not my husband and I could manage with the reduced income, I'd also need to look at retirement issues and how those years of reduced earnings would to impact my "nest egg." I don't necessarilly have the skills to figure all this out, but I know there are professionals I could call on to "run the numbers" for me. As women, we already face the possibility of having to be caregivers, which also threatens to derail our careers or take us out of the workforce, further jeopardizing our retirement income. I guess what I'm saying here is that going back to school can be a wonderful experience, but we need to really have a sense that we're not giving up more than we're going to get out of it in the long run.

As it is, I've pretty much decided that I need to work till I'm 70 or even 75 (if I don't get Alzheimer's!) before I'll be able to afford to retire!

Libby

[Shebop020107]

I absolutely agree with you! I will graduate this May with my MBA. I am 32 and a mom of 3! I got married the year after high school and then had my first son. I went to school and recieved my Associates degree from a local technical school. I then worked for several years during which time I had my 2nd son. After he was born I decided to stay working and start working on my BS. I got pregnant with my third son, took time off to have him in July 2001 and in June 2003 I graduated with my BS in Applied Psychology. In Jan 2004 I started working on my MBA and complete that this June.

I have worked, raised my family, had 5 surgeries and through it all I have maintained a high GPA and excelled. It certainly can be done at any time at any age! The educational system of today is very friendly toward the adult learner and it is cognizant of the complicated lifestyles of today.

[amythyst1]

I went to secretarial college for 1 year then started working. Back then, that was the easy thing to do for a girl. I have done well over the years and now work in a Dean's Office at a university. I am taking classes over my lunch hour to obtain my B.A. I am currently 1/3 of the way there. It may take me another 4 years but I should graduate before I turn 50. Perhaps I'll return for a masters degree and change careers in my middle 50s. I find it fascinating and since I really am interested I find I do well. I would not have done well right out of highschool because I didn't want to keep going to school. Now kids need a degree to even start working.

[loujill]

You go girl!!!

It is never too late for anything! My husband is 47 and he is going back for his degree becasue he wants to impress how important education is to our high school son. His hope is that he finishes his degreee before our son :)

If something is important to you than you will find a way to make it happen!

Congrats!

[allietwo]

Let me say-you are never to old to go back to school. I had stopped in my senior year of college (what was I thinking?!) to raise my son and concentrate on my career which was going smoothly.

To make a long story short, my son grew up and the career starting not going so well. After finding every excuse in the book to not go back I went back and got that degree. I will admit there were times when I wasn't sure if I was going to get through-there was a 18 year gap from when I stopped until I went back and there were obstacles--a foreign language at 43?

But you know, I have a wonderful husband who helped with the house and I studied and last May I got that degree which is proudly on display in my living room. You know, I think it means more to me now than it would have when I was younger.

Now I am looking at getting a teaching certificate and teaching high school. It is something else that I kind of "put off" and I feel that I am now ready for this next chapter in my life.

[triplej2676]

it is NEVER too late! i went to college right after high school, but decided partying and boys were more important, so i dropped out. besides, i had a good job, right? well i was WRONG. after i had my kids and my marriage was on the rocks, i decided i needed to be educated to get ahead. i started out by taking one class and then i took a couple of online classes. online classes are excellent if you have kids or a tight schedule. all you need is a little discipline. it was a little weird to be at least 6 years older than all of my class mates, but i don't even think they noticed, really. i think this would be even more prominent if you are in your thirties or forties, or more even.. but NO REASON NOT TO GO BACK and pursue your dream!

it took me 3 years to finish up.. 2 years going part time and i went full time my senior year b/c i was getting burnt out and just wanted to finish. summer classes tend to be easier and shorter in duration and really can boost your gpa. also, if you currently work, see if you can get some credit for working! i did that and it was awesome!

i walked in May 2005 and officially graduated in August. i already had a job and was on the path to a new career. if there is any advice i can give you or help, PLEASE let me know. you can do it!

[Beachgirl]

Aging Gracefully - thanks for the info on adult education, I copied and pasted and saved in my resources.

I waited 5 years after High school to go back to college, I was just burned out from living with perfectionist parents and so I first went to a Vocational school and got my Cosmetolgy license. Then decided after a few years of working to go back to college. I'm glad I did having both the license and a degree helped me find a job and an industry I have enjoyed. I have always kept up with education and have averaged 1 course or seminar a year to keep me current.

Now that I'm soon-to-be unemployed I am once again looking at what I want to be when I grow up. And furthering my education may just be the direction I go in.

[homeschooling_momma]

its never, never never too late....

I have multiple degrees, and I have gone to college multiple times...


you go girl!

let us know how college goes........its never too late to learn something NEW!


God bless,
Kimberly
(Alabama)

[LucyFan]

I am 35 and went back to college in 2002 after a 10 year absence. It's never too late! I'm married with 2 girls ages 10 and 8 and also work full-time. I am taking it slow and started back taking one class at a time. Now I have worked my way up to 2 classes a semester and will finally receive my History degree in Fall 2007. There are times that I want to give up, especially when there is so much to do for my family and then trying to find time for studying. My family is very encouraging and make sure that I have done my homework! :)

Rhonda

[Renata333]

Hi there! just wanted to let you know that not only is it too late, it is always always always an option. I went back to school when I became a single mother. where some had told me it would be more difficult, my daughter was my drive to do better and get more out of life. I graduated with a degree in literature and an teaching certificate. You can do anything if you want it badly enough!

[josie]

Anyone out there taking classes on line? I am interested in taking a Medical Assistants course. My husband travels with his job - in one place for several months. Our kids are raised so I would have the time to take classes on the internet. I know at some point, I would have to find a place to take clinicals. But I don't know anything about online colleges. Any help would be appreciated.

[Glinda]

You might check with your local community college. Ours has some online courses for vocational certificate programs. If yours does not, maybe they'd at least be able to send you in the right direction.

Good luck & have fun!

:hug: