Going back to school

My question is for those of you who have gone back to school, or started college already after having lived out in the real world. What were your feelings?
I'm going back to school now. It's been a long time coming, I've been out of school since the age of 21, and I'm now 27. I went back a couple of times, but it didn't work out. Now, I'm trying again and I feel I will succeed. I feel I'm ready. Those 12 courses left until my degree, and the counselor said it's not that many.
I know it's not really about learning nowadays. It's about higher-paying jobs, making yourself more marketable, yada yada yada. But that feeling when you walk those halls! When you look at message boards and see announcements of the most interesting lectures, symposiums, concerts even! My steps were more quiet, more careful when I was walking down college halls today, breathing that air. Approaching knowledge, and coming to it with longing and awe!
The reason I have not succeeded before is because I had that mental block. That I can't do those supposedly unfeminine courses like math and science. And sure enough I stumbled on them. But now, I'm ready to go at them one more time.
It is such joy for me. Yes, it will mean being very focused, some sacrifices and a lot more fatigue. But I started valuing this experience after having lived a number of years doing the same thing over and over again. Work and back, store and back, entertainment - and back. Even good books, heck even long articles in the Times seem a challenge because they make you think. You don't want to think. You want to have fun. You don't notice how your mind deteriorates. I have noticed, and it alarmed me.
So, what were your feelings about your school experience? Please share with me.

 

I'm in college right now....never really have been out in "the real world" yet as I'm only 20 and have been in school the whole time...but I've seen a lot of people at school who have come back for an education......don't be discouraged...I sit next to fellow students old enough to be YOUR grandmother, and certainly more than a few old enough to be our parents. I imagine its a double sided coin....you have lots of real world experience so it can be easy to apply that in some courses while others..especially the various maths like Linear Algebra, multi-variable Calculus etc...can be challenging because those are not the types of things people do everyday....reading comprehension, writing etc. are more common...like reading a newspaper..or writing in this forum.....

People that go back to school the second or third time tend to enjoy all the things that the campus has to offer...the culture, lectures etc....I know for me..there are so many things I miss out on like free art exhibits and concerts because it's easy to get caught up in all of the parties and socializing with your friends....a lot of skills probably do deteriorate after being on a long hiatus from school....younger students have more efficient study habits whereas older students have to re-learn how to prepare for exams...it may take time, but often..the second-time around students do the best because they have a greater understanding of what's at stake......much love to ya...good luck!

 

Moskvichka, if you have even a slight desire to go back to school I highly recommend it. I went back for a second degree and then a master's and it came to me so much easier than my undergrad. Your educational experience will be much different this time around. Your motivation is higher, your priorities are more stable, and your capacity for deeper and higher level thinking has increased with age and maturity. If you want to, you will do well. Good luck!

 

Definitely do it - I have a bachelors in English, and almost finished my diploma (equiv to bachelors) in Law...after 6 years continuous studying I really want to try and get into the world of work for a while, but fully planning to do a Masters at least, and a doctorate if possible before I die. Never turn down the chance to get as educated as you can! And there are so many different ways to do it now, my parents (in UK granted) both acquired masters from weekend study with the open university, which is probably the way I will do the same in some years!

 

After parambulating for a while since graduating from undergrad in 2000, I went for a Ph.D in Chem...research advisors sucked...so I settled for a Masters. I then applied for med school, got in. Now, I'm like :shock: . Shit is STRAIGHT GANGSTA, heh.

Gist of my story: Hang in there.

 

It is hard to go back to school after being in the "real world" as you say simply because you are balancing real life with school. No longer is who is having the keg party on Friday important or what club we are hitting on Saturday. It's trying to figure out how the hell to do school, work full time, raise a family, keep a house, etc. etc. So all in all it is WAY more stressful but the upside to that is the motivation and determination are that much stronger!