Here I am on the morning of what is technically second year. It’s a totally weird feeling because my going “back to school” originally started in January, so it was a little anti-climatic. I am so excited to be starting school again today. That autumn feeling always feels like a fresh start. First year was certainly interesting (to say the least) and I am now fully prepared to get knee deep in texts and lectures again.
As you know going back as a mature student has had it’s up and downs. Today I’ve got some other mature students / bloggers to share their point of view with you.
First off is Laura from Becoming the Odd Duck.
Her blog description says it all about going back: “former spreadsheet monkey who left the corporate world to become a Registered Dietitian.” Here’s what she said about being a mature student.
What was your biggest fear about going back to school?
My biggest fear going back to school was questioning if I made the right choice to give up my former career and pursue another. I already had a successful career that made me unhappy, so giving it up to start completely over was a big step. I made a four year commitment to be in school again and that can be scary when it isn’t “necessary”.
What has been the hardest part since you went back?
The hardest part since being back in school has been making friends. I am part of a very small program at a small school. Most of the students in my classes are younger and in college for the first time. There are not many older students who already have degrees, who I find I identify more with and can relate to me better. Making friends has been really hard!
What has been the most rewarding part about going back?
The most rewarding part about going back to school has been finding a way to be truly happy. I was extremely unhappy and stressed out constantly in my old job and life. Being happy and enjoying what I’m doing and learning every day has been incredible for me and has made all the sacrifices and struggles worth it!
Leah from Why Deprive is officially starting school TODAY.
Here’s what she said about going back:
What made you decide to go back to school as a mature student?
I’ve wanted to go back to school for the last 5 or 6 years but I was just too scared to do it. I don’t really know what changed, I just decided one day that putting it off had gotten me nowhere, and it was time to suck it up and do something with my life. Besides, the older I get, the more I realize that marrying rich isn’t a solid plan.
What are you most scared about?
I’m scared of all of it. I’m scared I won’t be able to afford it, I’m scared I won’t do well, or that it will be too overwhelming. I’m scared of how old I’ll be when I finish. There’s nothing about going back that doesn’t terrify me.
What advice would you give other adults who are thinking of going back to school?
Just do it. There are so many reasons to put it off, but none of them will get you anywhere. Its hard, and its scary, but really, what in life isn’t? You need to do everything it takes to get to where you want to be.
Make sure you go over and wish Leah good luck today!
Have you had any mature student experiences? If you could go back to school for anything in the world, what would it be?
Morgan, you have no idea how much I needed to read this today. I’ve been toying with the idea of going back to school for my M.A., and this really helps me be less terrified and see it as a more positive step. I’m still not 100 percent certain that I’ll be going back to school, but it’s always so comforting to see other people doing it, and going through the same emotions.
With that said, have fun on your first day, and your second year!
Oh Carly I’n glad it could help! I think the best thing you could do is just apply and see what happens, then the steps are in motion if you decide to do it.
In my mind, education is always a positive step. Going back to school is a huge commitment and will always be scary, but its a risk worth taking in my mind. There really is no downside to another degree, besides being absent from the working world.
Having a masters degree is a life goal of mine, so I’m definitely going to go to graduate school no matter what. And in some fields, a maters degree is becoming essential to getting a job.
Good luck with your decision! While its scary, going back to school is totally worth it to me.
Love it.
I have a blog in the works on the same topic! I didn’t start college until I was 23 because I wanted to figure out what I wanted to do first, and being older definitely has it’s pros and cons. Love this post!
Lindsay – you’re starting a blog just about being a mature student?
Oh, no, I meant to say post! I’m starting a post on my current blog
ah okay! I feel like I could probably write an entire blog on the subject, I honestly have so much to say that I have to hold back from writing too much about school on my blog, I like to balance my topics … but since I started school I have a lot of student readers (recent highschool grads and mature) … I look forward to reading that post, love reading about other people’s experiences
I hear you about being able to write a whole blog on the topic! The post is taking me so long because I’m trying to figure out how to not make it too long winded.
I recently went back to school as a mature adult. I graduated with a BA in English in 2000. I just went back to school at age 32 in January of 2010 to get an Associates in Criminal Justice after being unemployed for 6 months. I graduated this May and STILL could not find a job. All along I’ve had a passion for health and fitness {recently loss 60 lbs over the past year and a half} and have now decided to go back to school to be a Certified Personal Trainer! I’ve already found a job! Going back to school was a wonderful experience–first time in my life I got a 4.0! I enjoyed meeting new people and it eventually led me to what I really wanted to do with my life. I recommend it!
Thanks for sharing Cherie! Yes it’s definitely more enjoyable as an adult, and I’m more grateful too
oh and congrats on your new job
Thank you so much Morgan for allowing me to me a part of this. My life was saved by going back to school and changing my job. I hope you, Leah and I can be examples for others and encourage them to return to school to change their lives as well!
I am currently a “mature” student, currently 34. I have spent the last 12 years in a very stressful, on-call 24x7x365, unsatisfying position. I currently still work full-time and go to college part-time. My husband keeps trying to convince me to quit my full-time position and go to college full-time. Switching careers is scary though, I think because there is so much unknown. I’ve had a job since I was 14 and not having a job and not being able to pay my own bills freaks me out. College is definitely harder the second time around. Seems like as I get older, there are just more things in life to balance.
The hardest part was the first week when I sat in an orientation session and saw one of my sons best friends just a few rows ahead of me. Being a full-time student in my forties was probably the scariest thing I ever undertook in my life. I think I cried every day for the first 6 weeks since I wasn’t sure my brain was capable of any kind of learning. It was and I stuck it out and I’m glad that I did. And it’s amazing that when you’re all under the same pressure and have the same goals, age doesn’t really come into play. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Best thing I ever did for myself!