Members Neonfacelift Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 Hey guys. I need some advise from those of you who have gone back to school later in life. When I started college at 18 I totally blew it off because I was going to be a rock star. (Wern't we all?) Needless to say, it didn't happen. I don't regret all the decisions I made. I had a great time playing with great people and learned a lot about life. But now, here I am, 25 years old and working in IT. It's a fine job, just not somthing I'm particularly passionate about. It was just somthing I did because I couldn't live off of the folks while taking 3 hours a semester for the rest of my life. I always wanted to go into communications. Graphic design, web design, anything like that. UTD has a great art and technology program that covers everything, well, art and technology. All the design stuff, video, animation, everything. This has really peaked my interest, but I'm not really at the point in my life where I can just drop my current job and go back to somthing part time while I go to school. I've got a house and I'm not married, but we have the house together and might as well be married. Even if I go at night it would still take me something like 6 years to finish, and I'm not into that idea. I was just hoping to draw on the experience of any of you guys that have gone back later in life. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Svi Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 I plan on going back in spring, but I'm right there with you-it'll take forever to get a degree. But look at it this way-if you don't start now, you'll never get it done. I plan on going for general ed just to get the hang of classes, etc and then I will make a more serious decision as to what I want to be "when I grow up". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 I'm not really at the point in my life where I can just drop my current job and go back to somthing part time while I go to school. I've got a house and I'm not married, but we have the house together and might as well be married. Even if I go at night it would still take me something like 6 years to finish, and I'm not into that idea. It's that reason why i have not gone back yet. I don't want to spend all of my free time doing school work. My wife is still in school right now, and she'll be there for a long time! I help her do homework, tests, finals, and all of that stuff. Heck I've even taken a few of her online courses for her! I will start taking online stuff soon enough, because that way at least I'm starting. If it takes years and years, that's what it takes. I really wish that I could just quit my job and go back full time...but the bills don't pay themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jonathan_matos5 Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 I'm going back to school this month:eek: the only advice I can give is a confucius quote "it does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." good luck:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members slapthefunkyfour Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 "it does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." Excellent. I never went to college until I was 29. I just started going at night. From 6-9 everyday. It took forever, but it's worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lokidecat Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 I stopped college at 18, too, because in 1993 the internet was about to explode and I got jobs paying $18, 22, and 27/hr doing computers. Why do I need a degree when I can make $54k/yr with a high school diploma. Then the 2001 Dot-Bomb happened and I was suddenly without a job, without an education, and all the companies I worked for didn't exist anymore for references. I went back to school at the community college in winter of 2003 at age 28 after spending 18 months on Unemployment ($450/wk) partying and doing nothing with my life. Two years later, in early 2006 I had my Associate of Science degree. It was so easy. In a month, I start up at the local University (PSU) to get my BA in Business (I.S.). Which I'll graduate with in summer 2009 at the age of 34. Better late than never!!!! I wish I did it sooner. If you want to go back to school just do it. As an adult it's so much easier because we actually DO our homework, and realize that bad grades aren't acceptable because we're paying for this! On top of it all, I work for FedEx Kinkos, and they pay me back tuition for good grades, so I just put it on my student loans and I'm going to school for virtually peanuts. Just do it! It is great. And the campus chicks are so hot. (heh) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Neonfacelift Posted August 1, 2007 Author Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 I wish I did it sooner. If you want to go back to school just do it. As an adult it's so much easier because we actually DO our homework, and realize that bad grades aren't acceptable because we're paying for this! That's what I was thinking. If I'm paying for it, that I'll be more inclined to actually do it. For me, it's mostly the matter of being able to swing work and school as working part time isn't an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lokidecat Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 That's what I was thinking. If I'm paying for it, that I'll be more inclined to actually do it. For me, it's mostly the matter of being able to swing work and school as working part time isn't an option. They can be flexible. They have evening and weekend classes. I took a few because I simply couldn't cut back on work. Can it be done? Yes. Is it easy? No. It's hard work, but worthwhile. I had to give up a lot of my "free time" that I would go out to the bar, or movies, or just "chillin'" with my friends. But I didn't miss it. It saved me money and I was more productive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bonoman Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 "it does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." WINNER OF THE BONOMAN POST OF THE DAY AWARD!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members K7Baixo Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 If your company will pay your education expenses, you have anohter reason to go back to school. I didn't start until I was 21 and graduated at 26. I swore that I'd never go back. Finished my masters when I was 33. So much for last words. Education is one of the few things that you have to earn on your own and one of the few things that no one can take away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hawkhuff Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 Hey guys. I need some advise from those of you who have gone back to school later in life. When I started college at 18 I totally blew it off because I was going to be a rock star. (Wern't we all?) Needless to say, it didn't happen. I don't regret all the decisions I made. I had a great time playing with great people and learned a lot about life. But now, here I am, 25 years old and working in IT. It's a fine job, just not somthing I'm particularly passionate about. It was just somthing I did because I couldn't live off of the folks while taking 3 hours a semester for the rest of my life. I always wanted to go into communications. Graphic design, web design, anything like that. UTD has a great art and technology program that covers everything, well, art and technology. All the design stuff, video, animation, everything. This has really peaked my interest, but I'm not really at the point in my life where I can just drop my current job and go back to somthing part time while I go to school. I've got a house and I'm not married, but we have the house together and might as well be married. Even if I go at night it would still take me something like 6 years to finish, and I'm not into that idea. I was just hoping to draw on the experience of any of you guys that have gone back later in life. Thanks in advance!I basically did the same thing. I developed the attitude, mostly out of necessity, that if it took six years, so what? It did, in fact, take me 6 years to get my B.S. and then another 4 to get my masters. I was in no hurry because, like you, I was working full time and I was playing out. You're working and you have bills to pay so what's your hurry? I have also taught in college and I have encountered men and women, mostly women, who are working one or even two jobs, taking care of kids, then taking 18 hours in school. The only time I would see them is when they were failing my course and wondering why. I was always honest, (which got me fired once), in telling them that they can't do everything all at once. Something has got to give. I would always tell them to cut back on something and most often they wouldn't listen and invariably they would fail my course. I have seen this many times. One can only do what one can do. Take your time and soak it in slowly; there's no crime or shame in that. In fact, I would bet you would get more out of an education that way. Best wishes and luck. My $0.02. :thu: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lokidecat Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 So ya, it takes 6 years. Six years goes by fast. Soon, it will be 2013 and you'll all be going, "man, if I'd only started my bachelor's degree in 2007, I'd be done now." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Neonfacelift Posted August 1, 2007 Author Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 So ya, it takes 6 years. Six years goes by fast.Soon, it will be 2013 and you'll all be going, "man, if I'd only started my bachelor's degree in 2007, I'd be done now." Good point. I think I'm sold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members brotherbass Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 Go back now. Not having a degree will follow you the rest of your life. 4-6 years is a very short time in comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hotblack Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 I just went back. Go. You'll enjoy it.One of my professors was right, "You almost too young to appreciate college. People should take a few years after high school, experience the real world, and then go to college." I was very glad I did it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sarabella Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 I have also taught in college and I have encountered men and women, mostly women, who are working one or even two jobs, taking care of kids, then taking 18 hours in school. The only time I would see them is when they were failing my course and wondering why. I was always honest, (which got me fired once), in telling them that they can't do everything all at once. Something has got to give.I would always tell them to cut back on something and most often they wouldn't listen and invariably they would fail my course. I have seen this many times. I worked full time and took a 15 hour credit load. Graduated with a 3.97 GPA. It can be done. It just takes a highly motivated person to get through it. My advice is to go half time and get it done when it gets done. It's worth it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BEAD Posted August 1, 2007 Members Share Posted August 1, 2007 I went back to school in the fall of 2004, at 23. Now it's 2007 and I just finished up! I went full time, got a job that would give me two days off during the week, loaded all of my classes into those two days, and worked my ass off. Do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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