Can you tell me your experiences about going back to school as an adult? I am working full time now, but I would really like to go back to school to get my degree and essentially get a better paying job. I really don't know where to start though. Anybody out there with thoughts or suggestions? Thanks
I am a mother also, so going to school full time and working isn't an option for me. Otherwise I'd never see my baby! How do I afford to have it the way I want?

By Kellyj on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 04:59 pm:

Hi You can start out at your local community college. They offer lots of classes and at multiple times so you can work it into your schedule or take it at night. Plus they are cheaper for in state residents. You can enter a degree program to get your assoicate's degree and later apply that to a bachelors if you want to.
I'm going back in Jan for my masters and will be doing that full time. But in the meantime I've had to get a couple of classes. I picked them up at the community college and was able to work full time and do the classes. (Only one night per week so it isn't bad) The only thing that is weird is being in a class with 18 year olds. I didn't think that 24 was really an "adult student" until then.

By Mommmie on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 05:29 pm:

I've gone back to do some graduate work in my late 20s and I took one university class when I was 38 and I got a paralegal certificate when I was 35 which was 5 months full time of classes.

There are a lot of older adults in college. (I don't want to say "as an adult" bec I was an adult when I first went to college right after high school, age 18-22.) It's easier when you're older, though. You make better use of your time.

Start at the community college bec it's cheaper and the classes are more flexible. You might take a class online at first and see how it goes. If you have a university near you you can certainly go there, but, really, the cost has gone up *so* much. The one 3 hour class I took when I was 38 was about $600 for the class and $150 for the books. You might be eligble for grants which would be great!

Start now by contacting schools near you. Go to their websites.

By Pamt on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 09:46 pm:

I'm in college part-time working on my PhD. I have been taking one class a semester for 3.5 yrs and I'm almost finished with my coursework. It's very do-able if you take one class at a time and many classes are offered at night--all of my classes except one have been night classes. I also work 20 hrs/week and 2 elementary-aged boys. This semester my class is one Tuesday nights and my DH and boys go out and eat at a fast food place and have "guys night out." They have made it a big tradition and it's a night they look forward to each week.

As a doctoral student I have to take 2 full-time (9 hrs) semesters back to back and wondering how on earth I could do that and keep my part-time job since I carry the health insurance for our family. I am waaay older (36) than most of my peers in class (mid 20s) and the professors have been more than accommodating to make it work for me. I am only taking one "real" class and the rest in independent research so that I can meet the hour requirement, but do it totally on my own time.

I'd start with making an appt to talk to ad admissions counselor at the university you are interested in attending. He/she will let you know what you need to do to get started and can help hook you up with a faculty advisor who will help you decide what kind of academic load you can handle and what type of classes to talk. Start slowly and ease yourself into it. You can do it!!!

P.S., Have you taken the SAT or ACT yet? You'll definitely need to do that.

By Pamt on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 09:49 pm:

I'm tired...lots of typos. Hope you can figure out my post anyway.

By Feona on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 08:24 am:

Anyone have any advice one these online degrees?

I wonder if those are just as good.

Sometimes it is hard to concentrate when you go part time. Life conspires to distract you. But it is possible to do.

My girlfriend got her bachelors degree part time.

Some schools have accellerated programs on the week end. They usually cost more...

Do you want an associate degree?

Sometimes if you know what you want to do a training program is better. Like medical assistant or something..

What do you want to do?

By Conni on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 09:18 am:

I am back in school. I take one class per semester right now thru my local community college. They offer so many options for working people. Not only do they offer day/night classes they also offer weekend college and distance learning courses you can take from home. The next 4 classes I will be taking from home. So I dont have to be away from my family. Summer courses are great too, they fly by and are over with in 4 weeks.

I am working towards becoming an RN. I want to be a school nurse and work the same hours my kids are in school (and have the summers off with them).

Good luck! You will do great. I really enjoy school.

By Kilara21 on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 09:59 am:

Thanks everybody for your input. I like working with computers, so I'll most likely do something with that. My dream job would be one where I can work from home a majority of the time, only having to go into the office 2-3 times a week.

My father recommended doing the online school thing, but I thought doing that would be really expensive. And are they eligible schools that federal aid would cover?

By Kittycat_26 on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 10:15 am:

I've been taking one class a semester since as long as I can remember. I'm working toward my bachelor's degree but the going in slow.

I've taken many (most) of my classes at the community college on=line and do like them. You have to be able to make yourself do the work but the majority of my professors are just wonderful to work with.

Many colleges are working more and more toward completely on-line degrees. The University of MD is who I am working with right now and so far so good.

Money..........I almost forgot. I don't pay any more for credits than I would if I attended the class. Look at colleges that offer both traditional in classroom classes and on-line classes. I think you'll find that one is not charged more than the other.

Good luck.

By Nicosmom on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 01:21 pm:

I've been back at community college since my ds was almost a year old. Now he's three. I only have a semester or two to go to transfer to the State College. It's been a long road but I enjoy going as an adult much more than I did as a kid. Yes, it is weird sometimes going with 18 year olds but if you go at night, people are much more serious about their education. It is definitely worth it.

Also, I work part-time. So two days a week ds goes to pre-school while I work. The other days we are together all day until dh gets home and I go to school. It works out well. Good Luck!

By Lauram on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 - 02:09 pm:

I'm going back this semester for my sixth year degree. I got my master's before kids so that was no big deal. This is. I also work full time. I am doing it VERY slowly. One class a semester- and maybe a few summers. It will take me four years. But that's fine with me because i'm not ready for a huge job change just yet- my kids are still young. My class this semester is one night a week from 7-10PM.