Going back to school at 33 - thoughts?

[bounce]

Had to think about it, but I guess I went back to school at 30 for my Master's. I went back to solidify my knowledge base for the field I was in, as well as for the potential to change careers. Like you, I had a pretty solid career and didn't really need to go back to school. In undergrad, I didn't put in the work I thought I should've, and my GPA reflected that. So when I got into grad school, it was a chance to redeem myself.

It never hurts to solidify what you know, learn stuff that you didn't know, and come out w/a piece of paper that "yes, you learned this stuff." As you have a job, a family, and whatnot, don't try to finish school on some sort of artificial timeline. It's about finishing, so if life gets in the way, don't stress yourself because you may have to adjust your school schedule. That's part of being a returning student or what they call now, a non-traditional student.

Great read, thanks. I think the bolded part is what I think I need to adjust expectations on. I was sort of thinking of it as an 'all-in' thing, instead of just taking my time. But, it's good to know that my situation isn't uncommon.

 

[bounce]

I'm curious, bounce, where are you going and what would you be studying?

I honestly haven't even gotten that far. I was just looking at schools around the area (San Antonio) and any that have distance learning, but I haven't even narrowed it down. I was thinking about a Communication Design (Graphics or similar) because it's something that would be relevant in my field. But, I'm in the EARLY stages of considering it.

 

[bounce]

It sounds from what you wrote (the life-disrupting part) that you're considering going back full-time. To be honest, the reasons you give don't sound good enough to me to make that kind of commitment (and this comes from someone who went straight through to a PhD and has no regrets). Some things to think about:

Are you excited about getting an education or just the end result (the degree)? If the latter, how sure are you that you'll stick to it through the grind of all the required classes?
What educational program will help move you in the career directions you want to go (or open up opportunities down the road) and what's the best way to accomplish that? Your examples are about getting better at using software packages: that's great for picking a class or two to take but not so much for designing or entering a degree program - I think you'd do well to put a bit more thought into that.
Does it make sense maybe to start with one or two night classes? See if that makes you really want to go further, see how disruptive it is or isn't to your life?

Good luck, whatever you decide!

Great stuff - thanks for chiming in. You raise a lot of good points. I think I'd be most excited about the end-result (the diploma) than the process - which doesn't make sense. I definitely have a lot to sort out.

 

[bounce]

First off I'd say that having an Associates is finishing or accomplishing a goal in school as opposed to not having any degree at all, plus it was sufficient in allowing you to provide for yourself and your family. Technically wouldn't u consider getting a Ph D. "Finishing school." Why does one consider getting a BA finishing school and not a Ph D. in that scenario? Why stop there? There are many good career's that only require an Associates so I would not let that be a concern for yourself or your children. Some people never even go to college at all..

I decided to go back to school at 37 because I needed to make a career change, mainly because at the time the economy was still bad and my previous career choices were not going to continue to sustain me. I will be 39 in April and I'm still plugging away. It's never too late to go back to school if that is what you want or need. Even if you just take 1 or 2 classes per semester, I say go for it and don't ever look down on your accomplishments. Sometimes we can be our own worst critics but that's just the mark of excellence...

Very true. I guess I'm too self deprecating about it - I'm not sure a BA would GAIN me anything. Other than saying that I have one.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I honestly haven't even gotten that far. I was just looking at schools around the area (San Antonio) and any that have distance learning, but I haven't even narrowed it down. I was thinking about a Communication Design (Graphics or similar) because it's something that would be relevant in my field. But, I'm in the EARLY stages of considering it.

Start the whole thing out doing what you like, then morph your major into it later.. whatever suits your field. I just wanted to say I'd highly encourage the experience. Just be sure to enjoy parts of it... some of it, a lot of it, isn't meant to be enjoyed, but you can get through it.

 

[KJJ]

best part, you get to hit on college chicks

Doubt you would have much luck with them at 30 something back in school with no career and little to no money.

 

[03EBZ06]

You know old saying of better late than never.

Well, I earned a BS degree while in the Navy and upon retirement, at age of 42, I went back to the school for MS and and continued to attend for another BS and BS, this is while having la full time employment and having a family.

It was very difficult at times but I'm glad I did.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

You know old saying of better late than never.

Well, I earned a BS degree while in the Navy and upon retirement, at age of 42, I went back to the school for MS and and continued to attend for another BS and BS, this is while having la full time employment and having a family.

It was very difficult at times but I'm glad I did.

'Twas what I was saying. It isn't always fun nor easy, but that's not the point. LOL

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Doubt you would have much luck with them at 30 something back in school with no career and little to no money.

perhaps but even if you hit on fifty of them and only one says yes, you score.

Just don't tell them how old you are, knock 7 years off your age

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

My wife would hate that.

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. For those who did go back, what was the reason behind it? Career change? Advancement opportunities? Just to finish?

Tell her not to be so possessive, this is your college experience and all should be experienced

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

HAHa. They are not necessarily stupid though. So don't lie.

 

[WV Cowboy]

Doubt you would have much luck with them at 30 something back in school with no career and little to no money.

Plus he has the whole 'wife' thing working against him.

 

[KJJ]

Plus he has the whole 'wife' thing working against him.

Well if he's in school and married his wife is working praying he'll earn a degree that will get him a job. lol If a guy is over 30 in school and has the fantasy of picking up a college chick they better be a professor. Not many college chicks are going to be impressed by a 30 something guy who's unemployed and is working on a degree.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Don't go back just to say you've done it or to impress anyone. Go back if it's what you want. If you're a good reader, you can learn Illustrator and improve your Photoshop skills on your own. In other words, if you know how to teach yourself new skills, you can do that with no need for an expensive school. That said, school can help. In school you have an instructor you can ask questions; plus, they provide you structure for learning.

I went back to school to learn computer programming. I'm glad I did it. On the other hand, I'm learning to speak and write French without attending school. We have amazing resources on the Internet for learning just about anything that did not exist back when I learned German in the 80s.

No one can make this choice but you.

 

[muck4doo]

I'm 44, an ex of mine is 33, and she just got her bachelors. My son just graduated at 21 with his bachelors. She's looking to get her masters. It's not stupid at all. I'm not that short of getting my Associates, but didn't finish things. While I was working on it was about 30 years old, and it did feel funny to be the old guy in the class, but it is what it is. Doubt my credits are good anymore.

 

[KJJ]

If you're a person in a good financial situation and going back to school at 30-plus isn't something to improve your job or income then go for it. Some people like earning a degree simply to have a sense of accomplishment. But if going back to school is something in hopes of improving your job or income then you're better off learning a trade.

Putting a lot of time into earning a degree doesn't guarantee you anything whether you're 20 or 45. Find something that you would enjoy doing and learn how to do it. There's things out there that you may have a knack for that you can learn how to do in a short period of time at your own leisure and turn it into a lucrative career regardless of how old you are.

 

[rynochop]

Just don't be that person that starts asking questions with like 2 minutes left in class...seems like every old person did that when I was in college. Especially night courses, its 8:25 and someone wants to start asking idiotic questions when everyone just wants to go pound beers.

 

[Joe Realist]

Kicking around the idea of going back to school, and am wondering if it's even worth it.

I'm in a very good situation, so going back to school isn't something that's a goal to improve my job or income (although I guess it couldn't hurt). A little background, I'm married with two kids, and I have a job as a media director for a large company, and I make good money. I got an associates degree from a community college at 22, and started working in my field immediately - so I never pursued a BA.

If I went back to school, it'd probably be to finish up with a degree in design. I use Photoshop a lot, and it'd give me a chance to polish up on it, and learn Illustrator (something I've been wanting to learn) and have a hard goal in mind.

Honestly, there are really only two reasons I'm considering it. From a personal standpoint, I hate not being able to say I finished school. And #2, I don't want my kids to look at me at a crossroads in 15+ years and say "well, you never finished school."

But, I'm not sure if either of those reasons are good enough to totally disrupt my/my family's life - as well as spend the money - to essentially get a piece of paper.

Any thoughts? Just looking for impartial opinions, as well as people may have gone back later in life.

You never know what the future will hold. 33 and stable today does not mean you will be at 43, 53, etc. A college degree won't guarantee it, but I say go for it man.

 

[bounce]

Just don't be that person that starts asking questions with like 2 minutes left in class...seems like every old person did that when I was in college. Especially night courses, its 8:25 and someone wants to start asking idiotic questions when everyone just wants to go pound beers.

Forget that. I'm going to be the guy that asks questions late, and reminds the teacher that they forgot to give us homework.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Forget that. I'm going to be the guy that asks questions late, and reminds the teacher that they forgot to give us homework.

I agree with you. What's the point of being there if you don't want to be there? I remember when I was in college we had a 50-something lady in our class who put a ton of effort into the papers she wrote for lit class and was doing really well. One guy complained that she was raising the curve. My response was he should just get over it. It's a competitive environment and he has to compete. If he wants a good grade he'll have to write papers that are of similar quality to the 50 year-old lady.

And when there's two minutes left in class time, it's still class time. It's still a legitimate time to ask questions. If someone who would rather be drinking a beer doesn't like it, then tough.