I am almost 34 years old and considering going back to school. Quite honestly as much as I love the idea it scares the crap out of me. I am interested in knowing how many are late starters such as myself

...I started twice...once at age 30ish...and then at age 40ish to finish (BA) what I had already started...and now again at age 48ish to start & finish the next part (MA)...

TNC- Actually there are many older people who attend my college. Granted it isn't a big university. We talked about this in my economics class last night and the statistics for my school is 3 out 10 students are over the age of 30. That's quite a bit when you think about it. I had an english class a couple of semesters ago and I felt very young in it. I believe because I was so inexperienced compare to everyone else it may have played into why I got an B instead of an A (either I'm happy). Most of the older students have better ideas and are able to write better papers and so forth. I think it's a great idea that your juggling that thought around. Don't let your age hold you back.

Yea here too we have quite a few older ppl in our class me being one of them cause i am 27.. but i think if you go in there thinking i can do this .. you will be fine.. i know you are a strong willed person so i feel if you put your mind to it and dont let anything get in your way like your age or you havent been in a classroom in a while you will be great.

I went to college out of HS and then needed to quit after 2 years to work full time. But now I am almost 28 and I started back to school this past August. I was very skeptical at first. But I have not 1 regret. I love it. And it's totally boosted my self confidence. Don't be scared.
BTW what are yo u going back for?

I am not really sure, but my areas of passion are Philosophy or Psychology

I think you should go for it. Especially since Chris is away right now. The way I looked at it was he's getting himself together to better himself, and I'm getting myself together to better MYself.
I really want to be a youth detention center art therapist, but I know that that will require alot of my time, so I am waiting till he comes home and we are TOTALLY settled to pursue that. I have a background in art, and am inspired to help adolescents before they start getting in serious trouble. I worked for 7 yrs at a psych hosp. and was friendly w/ the art therapist there. I was amazed at what she could get out of the patients through letting them express themselves.
Right now I am a cosmetology student, still using my creative side but in a different way. I figured with a license to do hair, skin, and nails my jobs hours can be very versatile for my children, and in case I want to go to school for my art therapy.
I am also soon approaching my training classes to become a county CO, although this is not my life long dream, the pay is great, and it will give the exposure I need to see if I REALLY want to work in the jail, before I take all those college courses. Hey the way I look at it you only live life once, why let any opportunity pass you by.....
Good luck with everything. And keep us updated.

It's a good way to pass the time.... but I went in out of high school... then took 2 years off after 5 years and I'm working at it again. Hopefully, by age 26, I'll be finished.... *gag*

I'm ready for school to be finished....

Jenn

I was 27 when I went back to High School and Graduated, 54 when I started college ;)

Its something I will be doing a lot of checking into in the days ahead. Now that I have this bug I will make some calls in the next few days and go from there. I will keep everyone posted

I've been going to school since I graduated in 1984. I have a BA, an AAS, and two certificates. Maybe one day I'll figure out what i want to be when I grow up!!
On a serious note though, the top honors for my nursing class went to a lady who was 72 years old. She never sat for her boards, she just wanted to be a nurse all her life and that was her chance.

Hi there, I didn't really get serious about school till I was in my 30's. I thinks its normal to be a little afraid about going back. I am 50ish and still going to school. I love it, next month I start a new 9 month course, a new career path in the medical field. Since I've gotten into medical I've learned and seen so much and have changed my mind yet again. I am now going into a very specific area of study where the world really is my oyster.

Anyhow back to you ... please listen to me. As an adult returning to school this is your chance to SHINE. You can get all A's - never miss a day of school, always be on time, don't leave class early, do extra credit, pay attention, always do your homework, always study for tests. You will be a superstar !!!! :D

P.S. I came back to add that the reason I say you will be a superstar is because - in my experience - I am usually the oldest in class and I see alot of the younger students don't put forth the effort. When the instructor sees you put forth the effort it pays off, even if you're not an Einstein. You will set a good example!!!! Best of luck, I hope you go for it.

I was in college a semester after high school, and I was just screwing around then, but then I was disabled for about 3 years. In that three years, I just hoped and prayed I got the chance to make a life for myself.

I just got started again this fall, so that would mean I am 23, and starting over never felt better.

I went back to school last fall at the wonderful age of 32 and it's just great and sooooo much fun! You should just go for it.... those younger people are great to study with, I never feel the age difference when I'm working with them :)

I am planning on going back to college this summer, but I am only 23, my mom is 40 and see started back this past fall 2005 and i couldn't be more proud of her. So you all will do wonderful!!!

I started college when I turned 23. My loved one had just been incarcerated and I originally enrolled to occupy some time while he was gone. Turns out I ended up loving it. It's way more laid back compared to high school. At the college I attend it is common to see older people taking classes, and in this day and age it is very acceptable. Go for it. I think you will find it very rewarding.

I went back to school the year after my boyfriend got incarcerated for my Bachelors in Accounting. By the time he comes home in a few months, I will be only two classes away from getting my Masters in Accounting. Going back to school has been such a great experience for me and it has been something to keep me occupied while he has been away. Even though I have three kids, I wanted to do something for myself and I could not think of something better than going back to school.

I have been going to schools right after graduation. Still deciding what to do...

But I work as a librarian and I really enjoy computers...

I spent 17 years of my life in and out of prison jails and programs. FInally I decided that I had had enough. I am 40 and I am currently in school working on my BA and then going on for MPA. I have about 7-8 months left to complete my BA. You dan do it. It feels scarey now but it is not as bad as it may seem. Just do it and everything will fall into place.

Good Luck abd go for it.

Ive been in and out of school since i first left secondary school. I'm always studying one thing or another. I need to go further now, and use the qualifications to find a job. Ive just graduated my latest course - BTEC Construction, and am wondering what i'm gonna do next!

I would say go to college! I understand your fears, but many people are over 30 and go to class. I remember having group projects and the people over 30 help out alot. I can be a learning experience for both people. Plus going to to college makes you feel young and opens your mind. I think only 25% of people have a bachelors degree, so it puts you at the top of any applicant list! Good luck!

I am 48 and I have just finished my second year in college. I am majoring in Criminal Justice. I was out of school for 28 years when I was finally able to take the plunge and start with my life long dream. If all goes as planned my youngest daughter will graduate from high school the same year I graduate with my BS.
I have always felt that education was important and now I am working on a dream I have had for years. Anyone can do it!! If you have the dream....follow it!

I went right after and durring high school and got my BS in 2001. I wanted to get my Masters right away but I had a baby so for the last 5 years I have been BSing my way through like 3 units a year. So this August I am for real jumping back into the saddle and I will get my Masters for real now.

Twice for me! First when I was 27, I went back for an Associates in Mental Health, now at 40, I'm going back for medical billing/coding.

I decided to take a year off after finishing high school. That year turned into 6 years:) I finally went back to college when I was 23 years old (now 27 and working on a bachelors degree).

Starting college is a scary process, but the only way to pass that fear is to go straight to the source!!! I signed up, canceled.....I signed up again, and they told me that I had to pay the tuition or they were going to drop my classes. I let them drop my classes. Then one more time....and I was honestly thinking about letting it slide again because I was so damn scared. And then something clicked....this little voice said "You've done this 2 times. It's now or never. Why keep putting it off?" So I went and put my check through the little slot in the admissions office door before I had the chance to change my mind (lol).

I was scared and I think it's only normal to be scared (especially if you haven't been in school for a while). Than again...I get scared every time a new semester begins...which is actually about to happen within the next day!!! What kind of student would I be? I hated homework in high school and I really didn't care much for learning period...

And then I had my first day and found that it was so much different than high school. The instructor introduced herself and gave us a syllabus. We spent the next 50 minutes discussing what we would be studying for the next 4 months and everything that was expected from me was typed neatly on a piece of paper with the dates due. Knowing ahead of time what was to be expected of me really made a difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG~~~The fearfulness left when I walked out of that classroom and what remained was pure excitement.

It helps to start with taking classes that your interested in. And I only started off with 2 because that seemed more than enough. Within one hour of class I guarantee that the fear you feel today will disappear by about 75%. The other 25% will be when your writing your papers or having to do presentations:) I still freak out every time I have to get up in front of the class. I think I will battle through that the rest of my life.

The fear will stick with you until you get out there and just do it!!! Don't let yourself think about it too long...just do what you have to do quickly without hesitation and than follow through. Good luck to you. Let us know what you end up doing.

When I graduated high school I was 7 months pregnant so I had my daughter in August and decided to wait a year to start college. So I worked for a year at Taco Bell and decided to start school that next August. I was just about to turn 19. I was one of the youngest in my class so I don't fit anywhere on the poll b/c I wasn't straight out of high school and I wasn't quite 20 yet either. :D