I know you can never be 'too' old 4 school....but ...am I??

Question

Ok so this will now be my 5th year that I’ve been out of school, and I’m starting to wonder am I getting to old to go back. What I “envisioned” myself doing was, starting @ a comm. college, transferring 2 a 4 year 2 graduate, and finishing off at medical school for a career in psychiatry. This is what SHOULDVE happened. Now, I’m 22 going on 23, not in school, and working like crazy. I just feel like I’m too old because all of my friends did the whole “college straight out of high school thing” and ALL of them graduated this year while I have yet to even begin. Needless to say, that’s a little discouraging. I mean think about this w/me, if I start school again I’ll be 23, so, 23 plus the 4yrs it will take to finish, that’s 27, THEN the 4 yrs in med school, that’s 31, IN ADDITION TO the yr or so it will take to do my residency THAT 33!! I will be all the ripe old age of 33 when my actual career even begins. Where do I fit marriage, what about children? It’s all so confusing. NOT to mention the fact that EVERY time I try to start school again something comes up, this time it was a problem w/ the financial aid. Its almost like I’m not meant to do this. Also where am I going to fit in all the summer volunteer work im going to need for my med school application to look even half way Decent….I'm freaking out and the more time I spend freaking out, the less time Im in school…..any ideas?

Answer 1

I feel your pain because it is a story that I know well.  Right off the bat I want to say this to you:  forget about what your friends are doing in school and never think that it is too late to start.  I attended a university I didn't really want to go to when I was 18.  I was awarded a full-ride scholarship, but I did not know what I wanted to do.  So I partied and this high honors straight-A kid found himself never attending class and getting zeros.  Then years later I started at a community college here in FL.  I worked a full-time job, lived with my girl, and rented houses.  It took me three years to get my AA in Engineering with a 3.84 GPA.  Three years of night school, hassles with doing transient semesters, and a lot of money in books, tuition, and gas.  To top it all off I was dead-set on going to the University of Florida for the upcoming spring semester, but I just found out LAST NIGHT online that all the slots were filled, and because of quotas due to budget cutbacks (which most of FL is facing) I am not accepted.  Can you imagine my disappointment?  Some things happen for a reason people say.  I hate that advice, but some I have for you is this:  going to school will make you more money hands down.  Just because your friends or acquaintances have already gotten their 4 year degrees or whatever means nothing.  I would not change my decisions, because I grew from my mistakes.  Definitely do community college the transfer somewhere.  It takes time, but just remember at the back of your mind why you are doing this.  In terms of fin aid try www.tuitionpay.com They helped me for most of my semesters.  You pay $35-40 extra to break a semester's tuition into 2,3, or 4 separate payments.  This helped me put myself through school.  Good luck to you.  Just remember that your options are continuing to work at jobs you might hate for pay I am sure you definitely hate or bettering yourself.  It sounds like you have your head on straight.  Don't give up no matter what and I promise that I won't even though times are bleak.  Hope I helped inspire you.

Answer 2

No your not too old. I had a 50/60 year old classmate once in a class full of freshmen (18/19 yr old). He was even older then the professor. The worst part is he was taking a computer class. Only him and a few other actually survived that class and passed. Everybody else dropped out or failed.

Answer 3

If thats what you envisioned doing

Why are you still not..

You'll be 33 but with a degree

you'll find a way just don't give it so much time the more you think about it then the less time

Just go!

Answer 4

boy u can do it just follow ur heart,

Answer 5

Hey, you'll probably be working until you're 70 anyway, so it is absolutely worth the hard work to be able to look forward to a career doing something you love.  And 33 is NOT old!! That's probably the perfect time to have kids. Even if you have to take a break to have them before your career really takes off, it'll leave you in a really strong position once you return to work. Employers will see you have the 'family stuff' out of the way and will appreciate the focus that you needed to return to education later in life.

Forget about the age thing. Once you hit your 30s you'll look back on this and realise that you really were freaking out over nothing, because it is only then that you really begin to appreciate who you are and what you want.

Instead of losing it over the age issue, focus on the practicalities of what it is you are trying to do. Get your finances in order, even if it means delaying uni for another year or two. Financial stress is the single most common cause of dropping out and underperformance in higher education.

As for the voluntary work, try volunteering at weekends or in the evening at clinics and hospitals if you don't have time in the summer or if you have to work a regular job. Its tough, but as a medical intern you'll be expected to pull 48-hour shifts, so the applications boards will have little sympathy for someone who isn't capable of doing the same off their own initiative.

And if the commitment/expense looks too much, try a different line of work - nursing and psychology require less training and you could always upskill later in life when you've got the family stuff under control.

Answer 6

The most important thing is your drive to go back. There is no such thing as too old. Every day we learn something new and you're just applying your new learning to a different stage. You can possibly do marriage and children within that time but it may take some time for your spouse to get adjusted to your school much let alone children.  Who knows you might meet that special someone in school? Don't worry about following your friends, you have to do things at your own pace.

Answer 7

First, to be honest, I'd have you take med school off the table for the moment. The vast majority of med school applicants don't get in. So I'd have you think about whether your life will be better just with a bachelors degree. Would you feel a sense of accomplishment? Be able to get into a better line of work? Be proud of yourself? If yes to any of those, then start pursuing the associates, and then the bachelors.

Of course, while you're doing the bachelors, you're also preparing for med school admissions, but don't make that the be-all, end-all of your educational and life choices. It should be a goal, yes, but not the ONLY reason why you go to school.

And most of all, don't let your stress about med school prevent you from getting any degree at all. That's why I ask you to put med school aside for now. Instead, focus on your first steps. Focus on getting your associates. Start there. See where it takes you.

In fact, since you keep hitting roadblocks to your full time education - some self-imposed, some not - I'd have you get off your a** and just bleeping start. If you can't afford to go to school full time, then take one class. One class, while you're still working. Don't wait for the stars to align, for everything to be perfect. All you'll get if you do that is older. At least if you start taking classes, even if just one per semester, you'll be making progress toward a degree.

If you really want this, you'll do it. And if you hedge, and give yourself excuses - well, then, know what? Maybe you don't really want med school. And if you don't really want med school, there is nothing wrong with that. That's okay. Listen to your true self on this one. But if you really want med school, start this fall, and take one class.

As you approach each step, reevaluate. Get the associates. Decide next steps. Get the bachelors. Decide next steps. Med school? Maybe. Or maybe something else, and so be it.

Most of the students at community colleges are older. You won't even feel old there. Many students in med school start older as well. Don't let your age be yet another excuse for not even starting.  

Answer 8

1. you have to make time for school if it is important for you. It is amazing how, once you go back, you will LOVE it and somehow everything else just manages to fit into your life.

2. I am 37 and just started law school. I will be 40 by the time i'm getting my first job as an attorney. But wtf?! This is what i want to do now.

3. marriage and kids will fit in with this life. believe me. I have a 6 yr old and an infant - yet here i am, going to law school. Now, i have a lot of support from my family and husband. without them, this would totally suck. So a new family/spouse can be a bonus. Someone to come home to, to help you focus and give you an added incentive when things get tough.

4. Don't worry about this summer volunteer stuff NOW. What you need to do is look at step One: get into community college. Even if you only take one class this semester and pay for it out of pocket (community colleges in my area are only about 150$ per credit, or 450$ - 600$ per class. You can pay that out of pocket! Just one little class to get you rolling...

5. once you go back to school, you will be amazed at how much fun it is and how much easier it is now than when you were in high school. you will have a real purpose and determination.  

so stop freaking yourself out by thinking about all of the horrors to come! Think about how great it will feel to actually BE a Psychiatrist!!!!

and remember, most people go through at least 3 career (not job, but CAREER) changes in their life, so its not like getting your first job as a psychiatrist at 33 is going to make you some freak or anomaly in the world. you will definitely be in med school with older students!

Answer 9

Hey, one of my old teachers went to college in his 40's and lived in a dorm.  You're not too old.  If this is what you really want to do as your career...then go for it!  And besides, you might meet someone at college, who knows?  Just go 4 it.

Answer 10

Maybe this isn't what you want to hear, but I don't think you want to go to school.  If this was really important to you, you would have found a way by now (despite all the "obstacles" that have been getting in the way).  You've stalled now to the point where you can now say, "uh oh, too late for me!" and feel somewhat justified that it has all passed you by.

The fact is that if you really want a career, there's absolutely nothing in your way that you can't overcome and make it happen.  It might not be easy, but there is always a way if you are determined, persistent, and dedicated to your goals.

Bottom line is that you have to be brave enough to be completely honest with yourself about what you really want.  If you are able to do this, the answers you're looking for will become obvious.  Good luck.