Going back to school in your 30s, 40s and up.....

Hi dmillman, I went back to school when I was 35, married, job, house, cat, two kids. I started out with one course each semester which was manageable. The university kids of course were all younger and had a lot of extra curricular activities and parties. I missed out on those but I was accepted and no one made any remarks. The most important thing is that you get the support from your family and spouse. Also take it easy at first. A lot of mature people make the mistake to sign on for too many courses and then can't manage, get discouraged and drop out. It did take me 13 years to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts. No big deal for young people but for me it was an enourmous achievement. By the way, at first it made a difference of $ 10000 per year in my carrier, by the time time I retired I made $30000 a year more than people who did not have a degree because I was able to compete for a professional job and advance. I live in Canada and this year the oldest person who graduated from University was a lady of 95 years. She and her granddaughter graduated together. What a wonderful sight. If I could do it all over I would go to university right after high school. So go for it, be patient, start small and hang in there. Good luck.

I have taken some online classes and I am enrolling again. I had to drop out of college when my dad passed away and I had to get a full time job to have insurance. I wish that I had not stopped back then, but now is also a good time for me to go back and finish. I live too far away from a college facility to make things work with my family life, so I have done the online classes and really enjoy them. It is a little harder because you don't have one on one interaction with the professor or the other students, but you do have many of them online at all times during the day. I do feel kind of weird because the last set of classes that I took I was the oldest student, I am only 38! But, once I get my degree it will be worth it! I think if you want to further your education, you should go for it!

There is nothing wrong with going back to school at a later age. I went back in my thirties and felt comfortable there because there were many other students of my age and older there. I was a little nervous at first because it had been so long since I had attended school, but it didn't take very long until I felt right at home. One suggestion I have is that before you get ready to go back is to at least brush up a little on your math and English skills because when you go back they will have you take a placement test to see where your levels are. Since it was so long since I had been in school, there were many things that I had forgotten.

I think theres nothing wrong of going back to school at age of 30!! You can study whenever you want.. My grandfather studied until he was 50! He keeps on studying and for me people like you are adorable!! My grandpa told me that Education is the only thing that cannot be stole/robbed from you.. and this is the greates thing you could be proud of and you can bring with you even if you die!! Im only 21 right now But Im already on ys econd course! I have graduated college when I was 19.. and now I decided to study again.. and I think when I finish this one I will plan to study over and over again.. I want to say GO FOR IT!! you dont need any tips or something like that! Just be yourself and be proud of your intentions!:D you are so adorable! :D Goodluck!

I think it is great that you want to go back to school. I wouldn't worry too much because there seems to be more and more older individuals who are choosing to go back to school. If your going back to university, I would worry as most people don't even know eachother anyways. Try making lots of friends, so that you can help eachother as some classes can be really hard and most importantly have fun!!

I'm 31 and have a bachelors degree, but I have found out that I need to go back to school. I need to go back because there aren't any jobs out there in my field and if there are any they don't pay very much. I'm kinda of excited to go back because I want to go into the healtcare field where I know there will always have a need for employees. I'm also excited because I know this field will pay a decent salary, a salary that I can afford a house on. I'm a little nervous to go back,but going back will really help me in long run.

I was almost 40 when I went back to college. I had finished 2 years of college before I quit to get married, and now the kids were gone and I wanted to go back to finish. It was a new experience. I was older and old enough to be the mother of most of the kids. So, I was in the same position as them, a student, but also could relate better to the teachers as I was older, so sometimes it was difficult finding where I was supposed to fit in. Was I one of the kids, or was I a grownup? My most difficult thing was learning how to study. I had been reading romance novels for years and other books you didn't have to retain anything from, and now needed to be able to read and retain what I read. Anyway, I enjoyed the whole experience and loved learning new things. I say go for it and have fun!

No thanks. I was still taking college courses when I was 39. Big mistake for me. I wasted so much time and money. Much of what I was learning was outdated computer technology. This was at a a second tier college. For me, school cannot replace real life experience. Hopefully it will be a better deal for you. If there is some major interest you have, then I guess you have to do whatever you can to make it work out.

I am 40, and I just finished schooling for LPN. It was very hard, but well worth it! It felt very weird, in the beginning. But when I seen that the population was 30% older people, I really calmed down! I am an anxious person anyway, and the thoughts that ran through my head before I even started a semester, almost made me turn tail and run. I'm so glad that I decided to go for it. You will be too! Tips and tricks? Just start slow, a course or two in the beginning. I needed to have two courses to qualify for a student loan. I recieved no grants or scholarships. Apply now for your FAFSA! Go girl!

I am embarking on college again at 35. I am going through an online learning program with Ashford University. I am a little nervous but more excited. I want to finally finish what I started! Good luck on your endeavors. It isn't easy, but it is well worth it. Just take a deep breath, enjoy the experience, and when your feeling overwhelmed, walk away for a bit and come back to it. Also, never be afraid to ask your teacher anything. The only stupid question is the one that wasn't asked.

Hi, I'm currently enrolled for my master's degree, but part-time only, as I do have a full-time job. I'm actually 35 now. I think there's nothing wrong with going back to school, especially if it will improve your knowledge and skills. It's going to be a good decision for you. My classmates are younger than me, but I don't really mind, we treat each other as we are all of the same age.

dmillman, there is no age barrier to learning and discovering new things. I've heard of people going back to school (in their case, the university) in their 50's. They are still hungry for knowledge. I admire your desire and quest for wanting to take this journey in life, and learn new skills and acquire new knowledge. Not everybody who has come out into the working world have that desire and motivation to put aside their career and go back to school. I am a living example of that. After I graduated with a university degree and launched my career, I didn't have the desire to quit my job and go back to studies. Of course, this doesn't mean I had shut my mind from learning. Even when I worked, I was constantly reading and learning new things, as well as attending training occasionally to better myself. I am not sure what kind of school or course you want to go back to. Below are some considerations that I can think of: a. For starters, you may feel a little awkward if the students in those classes are much younger than you. That may take a little adjustment on your part. There may be courses meant for working adults, and if you enrol yourself in such courses, you may feel more comfortable especially if the other students are also working adults wanting to acquire an additional certificate to improve their career. b. You will need to ponder what courses suit you - is it for your future career advancement (where you need to be discerning what course is relevant to your field of work), or is it just for knowledge/leisure? c. Then you also need to adjust your frame of mind to study instead of work. Some people become rusty when it comes to studying and taking examinations again after a long layoff, and find it hard to adjust. d. Assuming you are working currently, you have to determine if you want to resign from your job in order to study, or your company can grant you part time off or no pay leave for the duration you are away for studies. e. There's one more consideration, and that is cost. If you choose to study, then you have to be prepared firstly to stop earning temporarily. Furthermore, you will have to pay for the course you will be enrolling in. You will have to consider the financial burden of doing so, and if you can afford it. If it is a course of study relevant to your work, will your company be willing to sponsor you? You may want to talk to your boss about this, when you have decided what it is you wish to study.

Its great you decided to go back to school. Its the most important thing in your life now. Dont be nervous, just be jourself. Its not weird at all. When i was younger, during my summer break in school I took up some vacational courses, and even now i am trying my best to be in school taking up higher studies, it is helping me a lot. It is the wealth that no one can take away from you. Go on

Just be yourself. Dont think about your age, its nice to know your intention to go back to school. It is the best thing that you will do in your life. you wont regret it. Although I continue my study till I finished it, during my summer vacation, I took some vocational courses, then I pursue my higher studies and even if I am older I still wanted to continue, learning is the best wealth, it can never be taken from us.

I went back to school at 32, it was a huge gamble for me as I was in a well paid job, I was so fed up with it and I wanted a career change, trouble is it was working with children and being a bloke you can imagined I was teased and treated with suspicion! It didn't help most of the other students were half my age and girls! However I proved them wrong and I studied for 3 years to get all my qualifications! At the end of the day if you want something bad you do it and if it proves others wrong all the more better!