Older college Students
By Mommy_Money
@Mommy_Money (74)
United States
November 18, 2007 11:49am CST
I decided to go back to school in my late 30's. I'm 42 now and I am a senior. It seems that I have a ton of classes left though. My major is general business and I still have no idea what I want to do with it. Some days I get really frustrated because I really can't figure out what it is I want to do. I would hate to invest all this time and money and end up going to a job day in and day out that I absolutely hate. I keep hearing people talk about finding your passion and doing what you love but, what do you do if you are not sure what it is that you love?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
18 Nov 07
That is great news. Good for you for going back to school. I wish I had the guts to do that. I'm 50 years old and would love to go back and take some new courses, but can't do it. I wouldn't know what courses to take, either. I wouldn't know what I would want to do.
You might want to talk to the guidense coucillor to find out what your options are, as to what jobs you would be qualified for. Maybe you might get some ideas of what you want to do. Or/and go to some job fairs and see whats out there. I'm one to talk, I should be doing this myself. The job fairs thing. It usually only costs about $4.00 to get into one of these and you might find something you would be very interested in.
@Mommy_Money (74)
• United States
19 Nov 07
Chrislotz,
You should do it, go back. There are tons of collegs that have special programs for what they call "reentering students". One of the universities near us has a program that will walk the prospective students through every single step. They help with the application, financial aid, test preparation, tutoring, pretty much everything. Remember, most of these colleges want to make money so they want students. The hardest part for me was getting started. Once I got going I loved the classes. I originally started college over 20 years ago. I had no focus at all. I probably should have waited. Now I am focused and my grades reflect it. I am not saying it is easy. It is challenge but it is a rewarding challenge. I hope you go for it if it is something you really want to do.
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
19 Nov 07
Maybe I will. I am going to call the college here in Winnipeg and look into it. If I decide not to do it, it doesn't cost me anything to look at it. My kids would be so happy to see me do something like that.
@raychill (6525)
• United States
18 Nov 07
Well I'm 25. I didn't go to college after high school because I just didn't know what I wanted to do. At 21 I went back to school and went to broadcasting school. Enjoyed that for about 2 years but in the end I didn't like it because it just wasn't me. It's like who you know rather than what you know.
So I'm not going to school online to get into criminal justice. I'd like to do forensics. So I basically have to get a criminal justice degree and then a science degree. It's going to be interesting, that's for sure...and I think this is what I will love, I hope anyway.
@vokey9472 (1486)
• United States
19 Nov 07
I hear ya. I am going back to school in the spring. I cannot wait. I am 35 years old and I have a class plan that will have me graduating in about 3 years. I have taking 18 hours per semester and then taking the mini-mesters and summer sessions too. What am I going to do after? I have no clue.
There is nothing that I really want to do for a career. I don't know what my passion is. My school offers these tests that tell you what you are best suited for based on your personality. I am thinking of taking one. I don't know if it will help or not. Growing up I always wanted to be a librarian, but I am not sure if that is what I still want to do.
@ayou82 (3450)
• Philippines
19 Nov 07
There is nothing wrong with that ..coz we are just educating and learning more with our expertise ..I went to college and everyone call me mommy coz im the eldest in school im 25 and they are 16,17-19... and they reLLY TOOK CARE OF ME ...and they respect me
@alpsstudio (2)
• China
31 Dec 07
I'd like to value the result when it comes to an intractable decision to make. Take reentrance to the campus for further schooling,especially the full-time schooling,for example, I used to work in a state-owned enterprise as an engineer,I incessantly found the lack of expertise that can only be regained through schooling,thus I decided to go back to school to enrich my knowledge. It meant to sacrifice years' payment,face the upcoming difficulties to find another satisfactory occupation,even the disparities between education and household affairs and the like. To sum up, whenever we bump into an intractable problem,just see whether it is meaningful and feasible in the long run.
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
18 Nov 07
i am glad to know that you decided to go to school even in your late 30's. most people don't even they wanted to because they say they are embarrassed. so, i salute you for that!
there are really times in our lives when we are in crossroads. we don't know where to go and what to do. we try to figure out things but we just can't. i think it would help if you talk to your husband, close friends or relatives about what you think and feel. some say that we will know ourselves better through others. who knows, someone will help you through it.
anne
@sbeauty (5865)
• United States
18 Nov 07
First of all let me congratulate you for going back to school and getting your degree. That takes a lot of determination as an "older" person.
I went to college right out of high school. I majored in Early Childhood Education, and when I student taught my very last semester, I discovered I hated the job. So I graduated and worked at several different types of jobs for years while I raised my family.
Now I'm older, my tastes have changed a bit, and I'm loving every minute of teaching children. I am very grateful that I have my degree to fall back on for a job that pays fairly well.
No education is ever wasted, so don't worry about it now. Your passions will change, and then you'll know.
