I am getting ready to get prepared to start college and work on eventually getting my bachelors. Any tips for an adult starting college for the first time? This is going to be a very looong process, I am not going to have my degree in 4 yrs, more like 8. But I figured if I start now by the time my youngest is in high school I'll be getting my degree. I want to get my degree in early childhood education and I am hoping I can apply some of my work experience towards a credit or two.

By Missmudd on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 12:30 pm:

No advice, just letting you know I am returning to school this fall after a 10 year break. I will be going full time and am kinda excited, kinda stressed about the whole thing. The only advice I guess is to make sure you fill out a fafsa (fafsa.gov) and to check ebay and half.com for textbooks. I went part-time in the spring and I almost had a heart attack when I found out from the bookstore the book that I needed for one term was $145. I got it at half.com for $60 and counted myself lucky, then sold it back to the school for $58 and figured that was pretty good economy. Am already scrounging for my books on ebay

By Latonya on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 12:43 pm:

I went to college after I was married and had 3 dk and got pregnant with the fourth after my 2nd term. It was hard but I did it. I started out taking 4 classes every term and then had to drop to 3. The last 7 weeks of my pregnancy I had to be on bed rest and one of my teachers let me take my class at home. I just had to go in every few weeks and turn in my work and go in for mid term and final. Studying and housework are hard enough when it is only one of those but when you have both it can be a little overwhelming. Now I am really not trying to discourage you because when it is all done it is well worht it. As hard as it was I finished what I set out to finish. I graduated in July 2004 with my AS Business in Accounting. I was so proud when I was up there on stage recieving my degree with my dk, dh, and my parents, and my grandfather, and dh's grandparents all out there watching. I am so proud of that degree. I plan to go back and get my BS one day but that was a big accomplishment for me. It just takes a lot of hard work and a lot of patience. Keep your head up and remember when you are done you will feel so proud of yourself and when that time comes just know that you deserve to feel that way. Good luck and I wish you the very best.

By Colette on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 12:52 pm:

Thanks! What is a FAFSA?

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 01:55 pm:

Hey Colette! What a challenge that is SO worthwhile! ^5!
A FAFSA is a Free Application for Federal Student Aid...it helps SO much!
FAFSA Click Here

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 03:53 pm:

My mom was in a hurry to get married and left college to get married to my dad. Don't worry, she wasn't pregnant! I came soon after, but definitely after the marriage.

When I was 10 and sisters 9 and 7, my mom went back to school to graduate and get her master's degree in library science. It took her 6 years and I have a lot of memories of doing stuff with my dad, when he would take us out of the house, so mom could study.

I imagine we helped out around the house a lot, too, since mom was busy studying.

By Pamt on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 08:54 pm:

Colette, how exciting!! Where in the process are you? Have you applied and been accepted or are you at the application stage?

My only tip for now is "Go for it and don't be scared!" I started working on my doctorate almost by chance. I took one class to learn more about language-learning disorders and loved it so much that I took one more...and one more...Finally I decided to take the plunge and enroll as an official student. I started in 2001 with one course per semester and I only have 2 more semesters of coursework left (then general exams and dissertation). It will have taken me 6-7 years for a 3 year degree, but very well worth it and not too much stress. Just take your time and enjoy the journey. My biggest fear was going to the library since libraries have changed A LOT from my college days when computers were just becoming popular. Now you can find articles and books from home, download many articles AT home, or have the call numbers in hand and walk in straight to what you need at the library. They do have orientation classes at the library as well as maps and people to help with questions. Don't be afraid to ask.

Good luck!! I know you'll be a great teacher.

By Luvn29 on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 09:29 pm:

Hey! We'll be learning together! I have my Associate's Degree (two year degree) already, but I am working on my Elementary Ed degree, which with the program I am taking, will be a Master's Degree.

I'm 26 with two kids, and am disabled. I've been out of college for 7 years, but I just enrolled full time at my local college and will be taking four courses this semester. I'm taking Distance Learning courses from home, so the only time I'll have to be at the college is for exams a couple of times a semester.

I'm so excited, this is something I've wanted to do since I was a little girl, and I finally just took the plunge.

Just keep pushing ahead and don't look back or allow yourself any excuses on why to delay or change your mind. Start small if you need to, and if you are interested, you may be able to take some internet or video courses through your local community college to get your feet wet! There are so many options out there!

We'll all be here to support you and we'll whine and fret together! Hehe!

It seems scary, but I know you can do it and it's something you won't regret! I got my first degree with a baby (I was 17 and she was just under a month when I started college!), so it can be done with obstacles!

By Colette on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 10:23 pm:

I am at no stage...part of me wants to go for early child education and then go on to work in a poorer community and try to make a difference (which also means no $)

and the other part of me is making me think about what do I love to do...well, I LOVE the ocean so maybe I should look into a career as a marine biologist or something like that..

and than dh is suggesting we retire into our own bed and breakfast in Vt so maybe I should look into something along those lines....

There are so many choices and I am SO wishy washy!

By Pamt on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 10:44 pm:

Colette, that's what college is all about...figuring out what your passion is. Why not just start with the basic liberal arts type courses you'll need anyway and go from there. You figure it out along the way. And you can always change your major. I did that at least 3 times myself. But...if you do own a B&B in VT will you give Momsviewers a little discount? It is my ultimate vacation fantasy for DH to whisk me away ofr Christmas in Vermont so I can stay in a B&B, go for a ride in a "one horse open sleigh," sip hot chocolate, and eat pancakes with REAL maple syrup. LOL.

My mom has a degree in EC ed and her favorite schools were always in the really poor districts. The things the kids gave her for Christmas (like a quarter wrapped in a kleenex or their very own stuffed animals) always made us cry every year. She brought many a kid home for a day too.

I think you should definitely have a passion for what you do. You know the old saying, "Love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life." My DH and I have both been very fortunate in that regard. We are always coming home from work and saying that we each have the greatest jobs ever. Hope you can find the same!