College in your 40s or later...?

Question

Looking to hear from those who've started or gone back to college after turning 40 - how did you manage the duties of adulthood with being a student again? What were/are the biggest hurdles? What were/are the rewards?

Answer 1

I went and continue to go to jr. college late in life after 30's & now in 40's. It is a challenge:

1.) seeing and dealing with the immaturity some of the newly graduated high school attitudes, lack of life's experience/common sense they sometimes project.

2.) You feel "old" and tire easy because of external life's obligations/distractions aside from your studies.

3.) Sometimes while doing lecture/study sessions, you feel they don't necessarily "relate" to your experiences because of age, cultural background, or personal interest...which sometimes makes you gravitate more towards the feedback of the instructor vs. other classmates. (I felt this while I was taking day courses vs. night courses)

4.) Sometimes easily deterred because of the financial expense of "going back to school".

How to overcome these above challenges:

1.) block out the immaturity & use their "fresh" approach to enhance your "experienced" approach which ends up giving you a different interpretation/response than what you initially expected, open mindedness to your studies/writings/organization skills.

2.) Take more time outs (exercise, get restful sleep, eat healthier) to use your relaxation techniques to add vitality to your strenuous regimen, be creative, and stay focused on your final goal.

3.) Take in the younger students' perspective and relate it to how you as an older adult, would handle the information/situation now. I'd recommend taking night courses, because there are more "adult" , mature students enrolled.

4.) Use all the resources available to you as a student: student tutoring programs, financial aid, ability to challenge certain course requirements/units because of previous work experience, work study programs, student assistance counseling (psych.) most jr. colleges offer it free as long as you are enrolled in no less than 6 units per semester (they can provide you with counselors in your area) which is great for dealing with external stressors that may hinder you from staying focused on your studies.

The rewards of after 30's/40's education:

Your level of managing a hectic schedule are tested!

No matter what the age, we are all "forever students"!

You can add what you have previously learned in lower grades to what you are learning now.

You have a definitive view of where your coursework/major degree will take you after graduation rather than remaining indecisive as some of these "younger" students often contend with.

Good luck & don't despair, you are taking a great step in the direction of "what you want to be when you grow up"! The road is long, but well worth it!

Answer 2

its great

Answer 3

The rewards are obivious:  College Girls..............

While I am not yet 40 - I recently finished up an additional degree.  Nothing will make you feel older faster than seeing hot college girls and realizing that you are old enough to be their father.

I actually enjoyed my night classes more than my daytime classes.  In night school - there were other working professionals.  While the daytime classes only had 'college kids' whose life experience was highschool.