Calling all students! (Mature or otherwise)

[slushpuppy]

Hi, everyone, I didn't know where to put this thread but I think this is as good a place as any! I was going to make it for mature students only but then I decided that was ageist discrimination, so I want to hear from anyone and everyone of any age who is currently a student. I want to hear your experiences of student life and why you decided to go into higher education. I am 38 years old and currently in my 2nd year of a psychology degree. I was bored with working for the local council as a library asst and wanted a challenge! Well, I certainly got it! Lets hear from you!!!

[busybee]

My experience as a student

It's a lotta laughs, tears, work and play! Am also a mature student (not that i would ever consider myself grown up enough to be labelled "mature". I find that i actually enjoy studying most of the time, am studying something i am interested in, and i know it's for a purpose whereas when i was younger - studying was too much of a chore - especially when there was so much fun to be had.

Busybee

[Florrie]

You'll do just fine, and be surprised at how much you really know already.
Teaching mature students is a doddle because they are so eager to learn.

[gmc]

It never stops. I have exams to sit for further qualifications all at post graduate standard. They're not essential but will help my career development. Sometimes I feel like getting a job driving a bus driving a bus. Think I'll go have a sorry for myself break


posted by jives

I went back college when I was 34 (Actually, I had to. I needed to get an Education degree to teach, despite my engineering degrees.)

Don't tell me you were one of those who thought teaching was a dawdle.

[3kidzforme]

I fought myself quite hard on this when I was thinking of going back to college. I went right out of high school, had a controlling boyfriend (who is now my ex husband), ended up on academic suspencion. 7 yrs later I was thinking about going back but didn't want to fail again and disappoint everyone (and myself) a 2nd time. After a year of much thought, I jumped in head first. I've taken 12 classes (not including the 3 this term) and have received 1 C (Western Civ), 6 B's, & 5 A's. So I'm by far from failing anything. I'm actually surprising myself at how well I am doing! I enrolled last August in the 4 yr Criminal Justice program.

Just goes to show when you want something bad enough, you will do what it takes to get you there.

[A Karenina]

I'd always wanted to go to college, but didn't see any opportunity to do it until I was 31. I took one class per term at the local community college, but every class helps, lemme tell ya.

For the longest time, I wanted to be a human rights attorney. I think this is one of the most important aspects of our society, and I (perhaps arrogantly) thought that I could offer a voice of reason.

But...my accounting job got interesting, and I was encouraged to get my CPA license. I realized I could do as much good in the world by understanding money as I could by having legal battles against people with names I can't pronounce in far-off countries.

Soooo....I finished off my Associates, and went on to university. I go online, though. Frankly, 18 year olds who knew everything about everything were starting to wear on my nerves.

I have 3 more classes at the junior level, and by summer I'll be a senior. Everyone tells me senior year is the goof-off year. LOL. I'll graduate Nov 2006, and take 6 months off. Then I'll go to a local university to earn my MBA. That's a 2 year program, and then I'll take a bit more time off before I take the Becker Review (6 month program). And then I can sit for my first CPA exam.

There are definite advantages to going to school as an older adult. There are disadvantages as well. I do miss having time to myself, to read, play, or just come home without hours of work ahead of me. I think I'm getting tired of constant school. But I'll hang in there anyway.

The online courses are intense. We have a one-semester class in 5 weeks. Normal reading assignments run from 4 to 8 chapters a week. We have a minimum of two essays, a team project, and independent assignments as well for each week. It's great to see those credit hours racking up, but unless you have the time, I wouldn't recommend this method. I often wonder how people with jobs and kids manage it all. I do love my one week off in between classes, though.

[princess-ponder]

i'm actually 23 and that is classed as a mature student.....if thats possible. The thing about being at uni now is that i dont have a clue what to do when i graduate...is that a bad thing??

[greydeadhead]

Hey Princess P...
nope.. I graduated with an AS in liberal arts.. after being on the 20 year plan.. and I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up. 23.. mature student.. that's a hoot.. I was a mature student at 40... just keep looking.. you might wanna grab a copy of "what color is my parachute" and read it.. you will find your passion.. no worries..

[slushpuppy]

Originally Posted by 3kidzforme

I've taken 12 classes (not including the 3 this term) and have received 1 C (Western Civ), 6 B's, & 5 A's. So I'm by far from failing anything. I'm actually surprising myself at how well I am doing! I enrolled last August in the 4 yr Criminal Justice program.

Just goes to show when you want something bad enough, you will do what it takes to get you there.

Wow, well done you! Stick in there, sounds like you're doing great!

[slushpuppy]

Originally Posted by princess-ponder

i'm actually 23 and that is classed as a mature student.....if thats possible. The thing about being at uni now is that i dont have a clue what to do when i graduate...is that a bad thing??

Hey princess, don't worry too much about it, it'll come to you, and anyway 23 is still very young, no matter whether you are mature or not!