Higher Education

I was wondering if anyone here has decided to further their education when they are "middle aged"? I'm almost 40 and I only have a high school diploma. I would like to further my education, but am terrified of the prospect. I like the thought of starting by taking classes online but I have read that certificates or diplomas gotten by online courses are basically worthless to employers and brick and mortar institutions. Financially, I can't afford to take classes that wouldn't lead toward eventual employment. I think attending my local community college makes the most sense, but honestly just the thought of walking in that building makes me break out in a cold sweat - verging on a panic attack. Anyone else been through this?

I'm 38 and I went back to school last fall. My only regret is that I didn't start sooner. You shouldn't feel out of place at all going back to school. There are a good number of nontraditional students in schools all over the country. I've met a lot of people similar in age to us, as well students who are in their 40s and 50s. As far as I'm concerned it's never too late to go back to school.

As far as finances go, I've been using federal financial aid in the form of Stafford Loans.

I went back to school at 43. I loved every minute of it and was surprised to find there were a lot of people over 35 there. I graduated with a 4.0 as a licensed massage therapist. Unfortunately there is not a lot of money in that, but the point is, you can go back and do well in school at any age.

most of the people in my classes are older as well. I came home the first day and commented to DH that I was worried I would be the oldest in the class (since I took a few years off before going back for my masters) and it turns out I'm one of the youngest!

Also in my undergrad there were many older people in my classes. So its never too late!

I'm 31 and going to college. There are actually a lot of traditional age students in my evening classes, but you might be surprised at how nice they are. You'll also be surprised at how much they text while in class I say do it! I love school

I'll be 32 next month and I hope to start college next fall to become a sign language interpreter. My mom got her horticulture degree when she was in her 40s when I was in high school. I helped her with her homework.

Good luck!!

I was 32 when I went back to school. It was daunting, but it was also the best thing I ever did!

My nursing class had students in there that were in their 40's and even 50's.

It is never to late too get a higher education!!!

I'm 47 and am starting a day shift job next week. And I have thoughts of taking some University classes.

Yep, never too old to go back to school. I swore off school after my Bachelors and swore I would never go back. I started back at age 32 and I'll be finishing up (probably for good this time) and starting a career in a new field at 37. If you're taking night classes, you'll find that a large portion of the people in the classes are older students because that's who they cater to. If you're intimidated by it, just start slow and only take 1 or 2 classes initially. Once you have an idea of how much effort you'll have to spend studying and doing homework for each class, you can increase your load if you feel more confident.

It took me a decade to finally go back. Granted, I already had my BA... so now I'm working toward an MFA... and I'm 37... I know I'll be 40 before I graduate, as I'm part time... but that's okay by me. Age is only a number...

Hi Dandi,

I can relate to the feeling of fear you're describing, I went through the same thing before going to varsity at the beginning of this year (at age 27) especially as I was going to study a B.sc with no maths or science background at high school level. I really was worried I'd fall on my face, but you know what? I surprised myself. Turns out I'm a very capable student, and the chances are, if you really want to succeed, you will be too. It really is just about working hard.

I'm only 19 but I certainly don't see my study ending here. I'll be 20 in 2011 when I've completed my Bachelors degree but want to continue to do further study, even if it's just part-time.

I'm not doing a conventional degree - it's a management degree but we have a lot of 30-40 year olds in our class and it's really fun! Also you may find depending on what study you're looking into you're able to "cross credit" some previous experience/life experience.

I say go for it!

ETA: do you have a community college or something? (not sure what you call them) where the classes are smaller? that may be a good option for you.

I am 32, and got my gr 12 (highschool) diploma when I was 30 and then went to college.

I went to a private college here, the courses are compressed (mine was a 3yr web design/development crammed into 1yr) so the courseload was heavy....it wasn't uncommon for me to do 4 hrs of school + another 6hrs at home.

Anyways, I will be going back again for a different course, once I finish my hand surgeries..... I'll be 33 in May.

I have severe panic disorder, as well as chronic health problems....and yes, it was tough making that first step in the door, both to get my gr 12, and start college....and it is going to be the same thing when I go back.

Now, the private colleges around here have a high percentage of WSIB (workers comp) and EI (unemployment) peoples in them.... In my class alone 60% of us were there from an agency, the rest were people who paid their own way. The ages in my class ranged from 50 down to 19. In other classes I had some friends who were in their 60's.

If I were to have gone to the regular college, it was huge and filled with 18-22yr olds, and I can't do that. The private college had people of all ages that I could relate to, similiar situations...... one of my friends hadn't been to school in over 50yrs So I didn't feel near as bad.

If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.... I did a lot of coping and struggling, and would be happy to share some suggestions for coping.


Good luck with whatever you choose.

As an employer, I will agree that we do not see an online course the same as a school course, however, with more legitimate universities doing distance study (you attend once every so often but the majority is done online) this is not always the case anymore. Employers are starting to recognise that not everyone can put themselves through school without working full time. Much of the problem begins with fake courses online.

I am thinking of going back to do my Masters and will be 30 when I start, but the information session I went to had very few university aged people, most had worked to save up the tuition fees

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

I was 32 when I went back to school. It was daunting, but it was also the best thing I ever did!

My nursing class had students in there that were in their 40's and even 50's.

It is never to late too get a higher education!!!

I'm 47 and am starting a day shift job next week. And I have thoughts of taking some University classes.

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42 and in nursing school.
There are days I love it.
There are days (like this week) that I'm thinking "What the heck was I thinking?????????" We have 3 weeks of school left. I've got a paper that could make or break my grade in school due tomorrow (and it's done , I'm just too chicken to send it right now). 3 days of clinical left. And I'm over clinical, b/c they placed us in an oncology unit. Don't get me wrong, the staff is really nice, and I've liked most of the patients (for the most part). It's just hard seeing what cancer can do- I don't want to see any more for a while.

For the most part- I know school is a good thing. And I will eventually see the light at the end of the tunnel. And I know that the money I'll be bringing in will help with family finances. And I'll be helping people.

Cheryl

Well in my opinion you should not ask to lot of people just do what you fell is right. You are 40+ means you see the world you are in a stage of maturity.

Originally Posted by dandi

I was wondering if anyone here has decided to further their education when they are "middle aged"? I'm almost 40 and I only have a high school diploma. I would like to further my education, but am terrified of the prospect. I like the thought of starting by taking classes online but I have read that certificates or diplomas gotten by online courses are basically worthless to employers and brick and mortar institutions. Financially, I can't afford to take classes that wouldn't lead toward eventual employment. I think attending my local community college makes the most sense, but honestly just the thought of walking in that building makes me break out in a cold sweat - verging on a panic attack. Anyone else been through this?

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I think in a lot of cases it is better to wait until you are a bit older for school. That way you have a better idea of what you want to do for the rest of your life.
As for the online classes you will find a lot are more expensive than traditional colleges! You may want to look into any local colleges and see what they offer online. I know here even the smaller community colleges offer a lot of the general education classes online! That way your degree is still from a traditional college, but you can ease yourself in.

I'm almost 24 and dropped out of college my sophomore year because I had changed my major 4 times at that point and still felt like I didn't know what I wanted to do, and what I did want to do my family didn't agree with. But now I feel like I am ready to go back and know what I want to do with my life and that I would be a heck of a lot more focused on the classes and not on the being a teenager part.

Originally Posted by sfweb

Well in my opinion you should not ask to lot of people just do what you fell is right. You are 40+ means you see the world you are in a stage of maturity.

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Doing something like this can take a lot of courage for many people! And sometimes just hearing that others have done the same and succeeded is a great confidence booster! Especially hearing that they were not the only older students there and that they found it a very pleasant experience.

I was 40 years old when I went back to school. I started out with a correspondence course through Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Took two classes from there and decided that it wasn't fast enough. I enrolled in college here and about a year later declared my major: Geography with a concentration in Environmental Planning.

Because for the most part, I worked a full time job and went to school part time, it took me almost ten years to graduate with my B.A. Was it worth it? Yes! Absolutely yes! College may not be for everyone, but I loved it. I loved studying, I loved writing papers, and I even enjoyed the exams. When I left the paper company and decided to enroll full time, I made the Dean's list and graduated with honors. Did my internship and had a blast with the people in that office. I graduated at 49 years old....and not the oldest person in my class. (The oldest person was a retired woman, who became tired of being bored all the time at home. She decided to start taking classes, loved them, and graduated the same year I did.)

I have found that non-traditional students, as a rule, are more conscientious students. They know why they're in classes and they know what they have to do to succeed. Believe me, you won't be the oldest person in your classes, not at 40.

I should mention that my son started college about 4 years later. That was.....interesting. He was a physics major. We had some discussions when he'd come home to visit.

I found a job in my academic field as a community planner and have been doing that now for almost 11 years.

It's an incredible amount of hard work and perserverance, but it can be done.

You don't have to walk into the school just yet - call the admissions office and/or check out their online site to get the admissions process going, then ask to make an appointment with a guidance counselor to get a degree plan so you know what classes you need, and which ones to take first.

Then call the financial aid office and make an appointment to talk to a financial aid counselor to see if you qualify for free grant money (or school loans if you need them). Also ask the counselor about scholarships - you might be surprised who gets them, they are not all for straight-A students out of high school, there are scholarships for people from all walks of life who want to go back to school.

I went back to school in my 30's to get my masters (at 35). There were many students younger than me, and just as many were my age or older. Trust me, you will fit in and it will be fun. It's WAY easier to make good grades when you are older and not wanting to party all the time. You'll also meet some nice people and make more friends - an extra bonus. Good luck!

Wow, old thread. I wonder what the OP finally decided? They haven't been on since last August so we'll probably never know.