I am turning 35 and I want to pursue a college education. Am I too old to go back to school? Need honest answers.
122829
I'd say it depends on what you want to study and why. If you want to study for self-growth that's one thing. If you're doing it for career and financial advancement, you should carefully see how much money is required and how much extra money you would make from this new career. You probably will be working another 30 years so 35 is not that old.\n\nI advise you not to focus on your age so much for any life decisions. In America those limits are coming down left and right. I do have friends who finished school in their mid-thirties or went back for masters degrees in their 30s, 40s or later. The papers usually have a story of some 80+ year old who just got a college degree.\n\nDon't let anyone pour negativity into your head with "you're too old to do X." Make that a life policy. You've got to get all the facts you can and then trust your instincts.\n\nI must stress getting all the facts. When I went back to get my Masters degree in my mid-thirties, I found out about some money saving options after it was too late. Talk to lots of people who go to the schools that interest you as well as the people who work for the school.\n\nGood Luck!
58092
Forget college for now. You can always return in a few years if you see the need. The real education is out there... Travel, live in islands, take trains, etc... there is plenty of work in lots of wonderful places. Explore and find yourself. Many people wish that they were doing something else. how do you know what you want your whole life to be, you have only seen 18 years (about i'm guessing). Live for a few years and discover who you really are... That is the path to happiness later in life...
76149
no...course i didn't go to college, couldn't afford it.  but "basic education" no longer allows you to provide for yourself and your family.  and now, a degree no longer offers you the financial security it used to, unless you have an Masters.....i just wish i could pay my rented house, utilities, used 17 yr old car and still eat.
669631
Congratulations! I was in the same position when I was 22. I am now 28 and we are expecting our 2nd child in December as well.  Going to college with a family is hard, period. I had a crappy job and decided to continue college, I was able to take out some loans to make up the loss of income of my wife not working for 4months.\n It was HARD, to say the least, to keep up with a class schedule, a new baby, a new wife, and the pressure of running a household at a young age.But I was able to step up to the plate and work it thru, and trust me it was well worth it. \n\nMy wife and I graduated the same year and we never looked back.\nNo more crappy job, bright future, and a rewarding career.
159260
I dropped out of school when I was 16 years old and was still in the 9th Grade in HS. When I was 19 someone talked me into getting a GED so that I could get a good job. I did and without having to take any preparation classes first. I was pretty happy about that. However, the guy that talked me into getting my GED couldn't get me the job that he promised. I was really upset and felt like that I got my GED for nothing. Some years later I decided to give community college a try and maybe get an associates degree to even get me a better job. One thing lead to another and I found that I liked college much more than high school. I have a degree in Economics and will have my MBA by December of this year. Looking back, I am really happy that guy talked me into getting my GED. It is never too late to get started living life because you never know what you can find out about yourself. "Success is not a destination, its a journey" \n\nJust a thought, \nI'm Joe
392410
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO GET AN EDUCATION. You're never to old to keep learning. I have people in my classes at a state university that are as old as my parents (in their 40's), just deciding they want to change careers and need a different degree, or just want to get their first degree.  I'm not saying it won't be odd being in study groups with people who could be as young as 17 or 18 but it will help if you just figure they are a college student just like you, they're here to learn and so are you so just ignore the age difference and get that degree! I wish you the best of luck!
64383
When I was young the drive was to get an education which didn’t necessarily always mean college.  Many joined the factories and enter apprentice programs some lasting 4 or more years.  It was not a liberal arts education but one in which they became masters in their field.\n\nOthers entered college and acquired a solid liberal arts education and built on that with additional education gaining master and Phd degrees in specialized fields.  \n\nEducation was important.  \n\nToday there seems to be a growing distain for education.  Literacy rates are decreasing and having an understanding of history or literature for many has become the exception and not the norm.  \n\nSome may equate this with getting a job in place of getting an education.  In this they are mistaken and will do well as hamburger flippers, but little else.  Increasingly an education which never ends is a requirement.  I’m 65 and have never ended my education.  College, getting a job but continuing to increase one’s knowledge is important because how things are done are changing.\n\nAt one time it wasn’t difficult to become an auto mechanic, to day it is a continual education not just as to how cars work, but understanding the machines that analyze the cars.  When I was young we built our own homes, today this is becoming increasingly difficult with new materials and new building codes.\n\nNot only get the education but plan on continuing that education.
623614
Bravo, for furthering your education!  I just finished my master's degree and am starting my doctorate this fall.  Both of my parents went to college when I was in high school, and it was hard for them.  On one hand, it did stress to me that education is important, but on the other, they struggled to meet the demands of family, work, school, finances, etc. and I knew I didn't want to do it that way.  It's good that you're thinking of doing it early in your family life and before you have other children (my parents had 4 of us from ages 16 to 6 when they went back).  And setting an example for your daughter will be an added benefit.\n\nCommunity college is a good way to ease into going back to school.  I went to a kind of community college (a small branch of a large university) for my first two years of school and then transferred my credits to another university to finish my BA.  You'll take the same general education courses (math, writing, history, etc.) at most colleges/universities anyway, so it might be a good idea to take some (less expensive) community college classes, get to know what you'd like to study, and transfer if you decide it's your cup of tea.  I highly recommend that route; obviously, I loved it!  \n\nGood luck!
528059
Hey your preaching the choir here.  Same thing was always said about me.  The school work was easy, the tests were easy.  It was just taking the time to do the home work that always pissed my teachers off.\n\nBut here's is the real low down on what people like us have to deal with later in life.  If you don't go to college and get a degree or get high marks in school you are going to end up working for some schmuck who isn't as smart as you just because he could make it through all of the bs that we didn't do because it bored us.\n\nBut people like you generally start their own companys because they can't deal with the day to day grind.  But if like you said you don't have the motivation you might just end up not going to college or finishing and working some dead end job wishing you had played their game and done the work when you could have.\n\nJust keep telling yourself that having the money and position to enjoy your life in your 20's and 30's is more important than having your fun now.  Let's be honest, you definitely can have more fun in your 20's and 30's than you can now.  Wouldn't you like to just take off for Vegas for a weekend?\n\n\nMotivation: take small steps when getting started.  getting started is the hardest part.  so start with something easy and the rest might just flow.
638917
It is never too late to get into college. I want back to school 6 years after high school. Keep your goal it will pay off in the end
150298
You are YOUNG and here's what my mother said to me (my mother by the way is a Professor of Business Management and got her Bachelor's, Master's, then PhD all while I was growing up - starting at age 21- and she's had a GREAT career); anyway, she said, when I was going to be going to Graduate School a little bit later than other people, "You're going to be 25 anyway- wouldn't you rather be 25 with a Master's Degree?"  Of course the answer for me was yes.  Also, when I got there, there were people of ALL ages and I never thought about it again.  You probably won't either once you do it.\n\nBy all means, do what you want to do with your life - some people don't decide to go to medical school until they are in their 30's or later.  You don't want to have regrets later.  Go for it :)  \n\nTake care...
649759
My mom cleaned houses for years and went back to school for an associates degree in social work which she should recieve within the next year.  She just turned 48. As far as I'm concerned, it is never too late. My mom was tired of scrubbing toilets and did what would make her happy. I believe you should definately do the same.
674387
So life does pass us all by,  and most people you age are still living in the projects or trailer parks or rental houses working mowing grass, working at Walmart and just living life.\n\nThe majority of people your age does not even go to college.\n\nAt this point and time, you have to stop comparing yourself to others and just decide what you are going to do with "YOUR" life, and then of course most likely change your mind a few times along the path.\n\nSo go to college part time, start with an accredited school online while you work\n\nOr go to tech school for a trade instead,  or find a good job and never go to college.\n\nWe ( none of us) live life by some schedule or by  amaster plan, we each live life doing the best we can.
159683
depends... \n\nusually after college the student finds a job in thier field and practices what they were taught.  However, thats not to say you can't do what you were taught in the military.  \n\nI don't know if there is an age limit in the military. If so, you might want to do that first, then do college when you get back.  \n\nBut once there in, its hard to get out.  Compared to school you can always drop if you feel its not for you and join the military at that point.\n\nThere are alot of options and things to consider for your choice and its not an easy choice to make.\n\nPersonally myself, I think you should invest in yourself (school) because if you go to the military and then feel after your term is done that you want to study, however you can't because of money or whatever and start to work to save up for school, it becomes hard to get out of the work force and go to school.  Its not impossible but it is difficult.\n\nFollow your heart.
63280
My mother started college when she was 45 and finished with a graduate degree 4 years later.  She waited until we were all out of the house and then got out and took care of it.\n\nIf you go to a community college for the first couple of years you can ease back in, and even get credit for life experience.  You can take CLEP exams and almost get two years credit if you are an avid reader and have a good degree of general knowledge.  Go and see an admissions director at the local community college and see.  It isn't all that hard.  After you get your start and feel confident, you can transfer to a four year- accredited college as a sophomore or junior and finish up.  There are plenty of student loan programs you can qualify for if money is the issue.  Most in-state schools are affordable and accessible.  Since programs vary, pick the closest school to you and go in and talk to them.  You can do it!
636095
You are never too old to go to college
5189
It's not too late to get out of a field that you don't like and get into one you do like!  Your grant seems like a great way to get back into school and find something that you'd like to do.  Try meeting with an advisor at the school(s) you'd like to go to and discussing with that person how much would be involved in studying for different degrees -- you might find that you can transfer some of your previous work.  Also, don't worry about being too old or whatever; lots of people do this all the time.  Your life experience and maturity will help you to be more diligent and give you a good perspective on your studies.\n\nI hope you find something you really enjoy!