Have you ever thought about going back to school?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
December 28, 2010 8:58am CST
I never went to college. I had my first child while I was in high school. I dropped out and got my GED before the rest of my class graduated.. but never got around to going to college. I kept telling myself I'd go back when life got easier, like when my child was a little older, in school full time himself, so child care would cost less. Then before he was in Kindergarten I had the twins, and before they were in preschool I had another child, and another... My oldest is now 13, my youngest is 3.. and I'm still wondering about when I'll ever go to college.
I'd looked into it a few times. I went to a few different local campuses and even filled out an admissions form for one.. but they did not offer financial aid, I had to apply for a real loan and had bad credit (even at 20 years old) so I could not get in.
I guess fear of the unknown can get in my way sometimes too.. I don't like change, and going to school would be a big change in my life!
Another set back has always been that I don't really know what I want to do. I don't really know what my dream job is. I don't feel like I have any special skills.
Of course for most people a dream job is not really possible. Most people settle on a career that pays the bills.
So, I thought maybe I'd make a good secretary. I can type, I know my way around a computer, I'm friendly and I have a bit of customer service experience.
It may not be my dream job, but it will support my family, and it would be something I could enjoy!
So I went to a school's website today to get some information about their online program. They do offer financial aid... so maybe I can get myself into some online classes by this summer's semester. I would be going for an associate's degree as an Administrative Assistant. I guess that sounds right up my alley.
It's time to get my life on track! For weeks I've been feeling bad about things. This isn't the life I wanted, and I don't feel it's the life I deserve. But nothing is going to change unless I do something about it. My husband works as hard as he can, and can't really go any further in his career at the moment... also he cannot take time off to go to school. So if I want a change, I have to do it! So here I go...
Have you thought about going back to school? What is holding you back?
5 people like this
28 responses
@derek_a (10874)
•
29 Dec 10
I have been back to school in the form of university courses and colleges courses several times and I have been doing this most of my life. The last course I did was a writing course with the local university. It was only a part time course, but well worth doing and added to my skills as a writer. I have also done many seminars and course attached to my work as a therapist. One is never too old to learn more things in life. 
_Derek
_Derek1 person likes this
@pokumon (644)
• United States
29 Dec 10
I am going to school right now. I am going back after nearly one and a half years on medical leave. It's necessary for the type of job that I want as a scientific researcher in biology. I am not so sure you should go back to school though because I think an associate's in administrative assistance is not necessary for that type of job. My sister got a job working in a dentist's office answering phones and all without such a degree. Also, one of my friends works as an administrative assistant and she dropped out of college to have her son. It is a completely unnecessary degree and they just want your money. It's like a degree in criminal justice. That is worthless too. You can apply to be a cop with any degree and some departments don't even require a college degree. The only way it will be worth your while to go back to school is if you don't know how to type already and don't know how to use Microsoft Office in which case taking a few classes will actually be useful. I would suggest if you have the skills already to just apply for jobs.
1 person likes this
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
29 Dec 10
yes you should. i had my first baby when i was still in college and i had to stop because i was enrolled in a catholic college where pregnant unmarried women are not allowed.so i stopped for a year and i went back after i had my first daughter, yes i went back but in another school..in a public college and then i had my second while i was in school..but my husband did not let me stop this time, he urged me to continue school and i did till i finished it just last 2008 and now i am working... i personally think it will do you good and you will find your fulfillment somehow. goodluck and i hope you can sort this out.
1 person likes this
@sophia18 (106)
• China
29 Dec 10
I graduated from college several years ago.After I got my job,I realized that I had wasted my time in the college for I hadn't grasp most of the knowledge taught there so that I couldn't apply it to my work.How regreted I was.If I could go back to school,I would study much harder than before.I want to remedy it and am considering going to some online schools so I can both study and work at the same time.
1 person likes this
@love4kolkata (279)
• India
29 Dec 10
Yes...Lot of time I think and wish if i could go back to my school days!!!
Now when I spend most of my time in office work, after I return from there...at free time I used to recall those golden days of my school life. In those days we used to play, used to go for summer camp, picnic a lot. Now a days I have seen my cousins to play computer games a lot in their schools. So a new era has come. Their enjoyment is completely different from ours. So if I could go back to my school days now, I could have felt this new era thrill with my school friends.!!!!
1 person likes this
@losangeles101 (30)
• Ghana
29 Dec 10
that is quite an experience, i'm in college now and always think about getting higher and higher up the educational ladder . schooling has always being my bid since i cannot boast of any other talent that can go a long way to make me a success, because never have i try any other than to school yet still i'm encouraged by your piece to go even higher.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
28 Dec 10
I've thought about going back to school for a very long time as well. I do have an associates degree already but it is not one that will get me very far. Sadly it's a degree in apparel marketing wich I was going to use as a stepping stone to go onto a 4 yr college to become a retail buyer. Well, at the time I didn't realize my degree was fairly bogus. I don't know 100% that it is, but on the news the other year they said that the local tech schools had programs for degree's where there are no jobs ect. Well mine is a degree to work retail, and you don't need a degree for that KWIM?
I too am like you..... I don't know what I'm good at. What I like that would be a career with some longevity and with job openings in the area + growth potential. You know something worth going back to school for. I like too many things but don't know if anything was worth my wild if I can't guarantee I like it nor do I really think I could focus on homework ect. Plus paying for it as you have to take a certain amount of credits to get grants you cant just take one class at a time. I've asked hubby what am I good at & he says "making cute babies" well I don't see that being something I could put on my resume do you? 
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
28 Dec 10
LOL.. funny! I'm good at that too.. I'll try it on my resume and see what happens!
Well, I hope this works out. I've put in the app for the school and for financial aid. I did the same thing a few years ago, but didn't follow through. This time I think I'm a bit more fed up with my situation, and my kids are a bit older. I might need a little motivation to stay on this track though, hopefully my friends and family can help me out with that.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
28 Dec 10
I think it 's great that u still want to go to school & i hope u get to. I never wanted to go to college. Went to beauty school soon as i graduated from high school, worked 47 years as a hairdresser, that was enough for me. Good luck & get started.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
28 Dec 10
Beauty school is school enough. I thought about that once or twice. I don't think I have the patience for hairdressing though. It's somewhat of an artform, and I am no good at art!
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
28 Dec 10
Oh I'm sure! I'd also thought about nursing school, it's easy to get into and is free if you sign a contract to work with that hospital for X amount of years after. But I was never certain I'd be able to do some of the jobs required.. like wiping an old guy's butt, or giving old ladies sponge baths, or giving shots to babies. Just can't see myself doing it!
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
28 Dec 10
I wouldn't reccomend it to anyone. It's very hard work & u have to listen to alot of bull, lol.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
28 Dec 10
You go for it girl. I think that you would do great. Have you ever thought about qualifying as a teacher's assistant so you would work school hours? Just a thought as you would have the holidays too at the same time as the children? You must also work out a back uo system in case a child is sick. But these problems can be addressed. So Go Kat go
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
28 Dec 10
I'm about to go take my admissions exams! The ball is moving so quickly now.. and I'm swept away with excitement! Finally a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dull life!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
28 Dec 10
Listen to me. You are a beautiful, smart lady who can achieve anything you want to achieve. Proud of you
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
28 Dec 10
I did go back to school when I got divorced and it was great. Now that I am the caregiver for my son I have thought about going ahead and getting my masters. But I would have to get more school loans and that is what is holding me back. I took a small course on line to be a physical therapy aid. They let me pay it out interest free. I wish I could do that for other classes! So really it's money - but I am also not sure what I would want to get a degree in either... so I guess it's those two things that keep me from going further with my education.
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
29 Dec 10
Yeah, no grants for masters. Fellowship programs are probably on campus and I'll have to do all mine on line as I do not get to leave the house much.
@RachelleNH (1396)
• United States
29 Dec 10
I have been thinking about it for the past year..but I went back and got my Associates in Business Administration in 2008..and I'm paying loans on it now..it's hard to make the payments big enough to make any progress..so I was recently thinking-hey...gonna be a New year..how can I improve myself? I started thinking getting my BBA (bachelor's in Business administration) would be the way to go..so I checked into it..and the cost is up there..even with financial aid! So I'm feeling really hesistant right now because there are so many recent grads and so few jobs..It's a great decision to make though...I'm just worried about how I'd pay for it in the event that I didn't find a good paying job.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Dec 10
I guess I just have a lot of confidence that I will get a decent job when it's all said and done. Plus the school I'm going to offers help finding employment after graduation, though I know that's not a guarantee. I'm just staying optimistic for now.
@RachelleNH (1396)
• United States
30 Dec 10
I think it's a great attitude to have..they say if you can dream it..you can do it!
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
29 Dec 10
I have often thought of going back to school. There are so many great opportuntities that schooling can bring yout way. Going back to school is a great way to claim those opportunities for ourselves.1 person likes this
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
28 Dec 10
I graduated from high school approximately 14 years ago, right after high school I attended a community college with the intent to go to a 4 year university. Just when I was a bit more than half way, finances got a bit tough and I stopped.
I got married and my husband has always been on me to go back to school and finish my degree and I always knew that I should go back, but the thought of going back to school after so many years was a bit scary.
Just like you I had my first child so I post-poned again, and then a year and a half later I had my second child and again I delayed it.
But my husband made me a deal back in 2009 that he would sign up for college with me if I agree to complete my degree. And I am proud to say, that I am graduating with my Associates in Business Administration and starting my Bachelor's in January. I am hoping that in two years if everything goes as plan I will obtain my BA. I am so looking forward to it. But let me tell you it's been a bit tough between work, home and kids I barely even have time for myself. But in the long run I know it will all be worth it.
@Enithe23 (4)
•
20 Jan 11
I love learning new things!
And as such I also loved going to school, and am planning to get a postgraduate degree, possible a masters in Nursing or a degree in Medicine. However, I must say that to get good education these days needs funding and time. Unfortunately, I don't have the money to pursue a postgraduate degree, YET, but i am working on that and as for the time - I WILL make time. I guess what's holding me back is just the right condition for me to go back to school :)
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
20 Jan 11
I qualified for government grants that paid 2/3 of my tuition, and I took out a student loan for the rest. I'm taking online classes, so I can fit it into my schedule.
@SViswan (12051)
• India
20 Jan 11
I had. Soon after my older one was born, I enrolled in college but after a year got busy with my home.Then I enrolled again a year before I had the little one and this time I stuck it out. I had also started working as a kindergarten teacher when my younger one was 18 months old (I had done a course before I had the little one). It was a juggle with a 7 year old, a toddler, housework and a job. But I did it!!!
I completed a few months back (took a year off when I had the little one).
Now we are homeschooling the boys. I want to do something more....but the fact that they are at home and I can't leave them alone (esp. the younger one) is holding me back.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
28 Dec 10
Boy do I know how you feel. I've been struggling with feelings like that for the last few years. I probably could have gone to college right after school. I had no idea what I wanted to do though and didn't want to waste money trying to figure it out. Plus I had known since I was young that I wanted to get married and start a family. So that is the route I went. I was happy with it for awhile but with all the struggles with money and having kids so young, it was getting to me. I've thought about going to school but like you, daycare would have been an issue. Then I thought about online schools, but I've known a few that have done it and they are always talking about papers they had to write, etc and I just don't think I'm in the mind set to focus on it. And with 3 kids I don't think it would be easy to find the time to do it. I was really looking into this business college near here, but I have no one to get my kids on and off the bus while I'm in school. I liked it because you didn't have to pay for it till 6 months after you were done and they place you in a job when you graduate. I'm still hoping I can work it out to sign up for the spring term but so far I'm not having any luck figuring it out. Good luck!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
28 Dec 10
Well I am pleased to announce that I've just filled out the online application for a small local college, and filled out the online forms to request financial aid! I am not sure if I did any of it right.. but it's a start! I plan to take the online classes. I can do the schooling during the time I'm usually on here goofing off. I only have 1 child home in the morning, then 2 in the afternoon till almost 4. I shouldn't have an issue. Wish me luck!
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
28 Dec 10
good for you. you are lucky to be married to such a nice guy and also that you live in the digital age so young yet. when my kids were all little, i wanted to get more schooling. since like you, id dropped out from being pregnant. but back then, you had to go somewhere out to go to school. my church offered to help people get their GED and even go farther. no charge. but my husband at the time got jealous of the people picking me up. we had a big fight about it but, guess who won
by the time i got back to wanting to do something about it all and had a great husband, i was 55yrs old and my oldest son said, mom do it because you are never to old to learn. look at grandma moses. anyway, i never bothered as i had a great job, i loved, etc. @katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
28 Dec 10
It's true you're never too old to make a change in your life. I have been tired of my situation for a long time.. it's time to make a change!
@akiadranem (403)
• Philippines
30 Dec 10
Like you, I never went to college. After I graduated from high school, I lost the people who took care of me and so I stopped studying and worked at a very young age. Then when I was 19, I had my first baby and got married at 20. I wanted so bad to go back to studying but I never did have the opportunity as I had two more kids and the youngest one's still a year old. And there's nobody I'd trust enough to take care of my kids. But I still do hope I could go to college someday. When my kids are a bit older and when I'm more financially stable. I do have want to have a career aside from being a full-time mom.
@sandrahon25 (114)
• Philippines
31 Dec 10
I want to learn more if that would be! I will show my teacher that I have a potential to become a good student. One of the top honor student in school campus - I've been one of the top honor student in my high school times, indeed! I'm the third but sad in college that I don't finish at all.
@pepita (15)
• Philippines
30 Dec 10
I love the idea that the approach to education is womb to tomb --- I mean, as human beings, we should keep on learning, for education is part of our development as individuals. It's a competitive world out there, and having the diploma could give anyone the desired edge to succeed in his chosen field. Some people choose to work to earn a living, but after achieving financial stability, they would want to go back to school.
