On College, and on Going Back

[The Gnome King]

Just a quick question today for you all:

I know the demographic here skewes younger, and most of you in college are in your 20's. I'm curious about those adults who went to college, obtained a bachelor's or even an associates degree and then went back to college in their 30's, 40's, or later.

What was it like for you? My wife and I are in school now and I must say the experience is a lot different now than it was when we were in college in our early 20's. In general, we enjoy the classes a lot more now than we did before. In our 20's, we wanted to party. Now it seems a lot easier to just sit down, relax, and do homework over a cup of tea. Drinking all night and partying until you drop just don't hold the appeal anymore.

So, those who have "been back" - experiences, good and bad? Differences?

 

[IndomitableSam]

I went to University, worked a few years, and then went back to College at.. 24? 25? So, not really exactly what you're lookign for, but when I went back to college, I really did enjoy it a lot more than University. I was working 20+ hours a week and my commute was over an hour each way for 6-7 hours of classes a day, so ti was.... rough. However, the fact that colleges are so different than universities played a huge part in my enjoyment. College was a small class of about 30 people studying towards one specific goal and learning employable skills along the way. University was just kids wasting money taking Arts courses.

I was much happier to do my schoolwork with people over a cup of coffee, too. We were all mostly 25+ so we'd outgrown our partying quite a bit and were very happy to say goodnight at the end of the day and go home. It was really viewed as work and we all tried very hard and took time to teach each other things we understood but others didn't. We organised groupwork, made food for each other and generally took care of each other. However, we were 30 people working together for 2 years, so you make good friends and you make enemies, too. And all but 3 of us were women, so it could get nasty sometimes. Most of the time we were all very mature adults, but the stress of work and kids and school and close quarters got to everyone sometimes.

We had a few parties, but more often than not, everyone went home around 10 and we only had a beer or two each, and ther were always DDs. And we all brought food to the parties and played cards and boardgames and listened to easy listening rock or jazz or something really boring.

 

[Frezzato]

I never finished actually. But I tried to go back. During that rough time (I was working two jobs, one of them full-time) I made some horrifying discoveries.

A guy in one of my English classes could barely read. He was in his 40's and worked as a Lineman for Bell South. The concept of formulating a thesis and writing were entirely alien to him. What blows my mind is the thought that he's already finished school by now, ahead of me.

Another thing I noticed was just how, uh, there's no polite way for me to put this, but there are a lot (a LOT) of dumb people out there, in school. I guess that's the point of school, eh? A girl in one of my math classes disappeared for the entire semester, only to show up for the final. Turns out she had found a boyfriend and decided to smoke weed for six weeks in the parking lot. He broke up with her when she decided to move onto more hardcore substances. That's when she showed up for the final. First week to the final, those were the only times I saw her.

Another girl in a different English class which she couldn't pass. She had tried twice already, and failed, and her final option was to try an online class. I suspect that didn't end well.

Those were all night classes though, so I expect that most of those people were exhausted like me, so I don't really think of them that harshly. Except for that druggie girl though. She should have known better.

There was one time I went by the campus during the day and I saw a very young girl, sitting alone and looking lost, on a bench by herself. She was staring at the ground. I could only feel pity for her. She had better things to do, only she didn't know it.

 

[Tsukuyomi]

I think mostly my own experiences from being back these two weeks, after almost 8 years of work, has been positive. I find it much more enjoyable to just...BE there. My teachers seem to actually ENJOY what they're doing and they WANT you to learn and be successful and not waste your money or anything. I find I'm also keeping up with my classes better and things have been slightly easier than I expected thus far. I still worry and obsess over turning in assignments and doing everything I can, but I think that's a good thing since I wasn't all that interested in things when I was younger to begin with.

One odd thing for me, though, is that I've found recently that if I'm going to spend time anywhere on campus between classes, it's likely to be in the campus library as opposed to the Student Union. Admittedly there's people there that I share interests with and they're fun to talk to, but after having hit the place for a small paper I had to write I just felt as though it was better to be there. Like I find myself wanting to go there even when I don't have anything pressing to do over going to the Union to meet the folks I know to talk or play Magic. Not sure what the change in preference really means, but I think it's something good and worthwhile. Overall thus far the experience has been pretty good, though.

...aside of course from the people who just...can't seem to make an effort. Class starts at 9 a.m. You don't have kids, you don't have a car so you're not fighting to find parking. WHY are you walking in thirty minutes late?! Furthermore WHY are you falling asleep in a CLASS YOU ARE PAYING FOR?! Very, very annoying. Even now, in a room 75% full of people likely around my age I find people who simply have no enthusiasm for learning.

EDIT: Oh, and so much Facebook garbage on school computers by people who are either in class, or should be doing classwork. Get a bloody laptop! I need that computer and you've been parked at it for the last six hours playing Candy Crush and reposting chain-status-updates. Go away! Shoo! You do not belong in a higher-learning institution!

 

[Weaver]

I barely partied at all in University. I had like 90 hour work weeks and went to the emergency room in 4th year due to a stress related breakdown, extremely high blood pressure too. And it wasn't just me, I know two other people who were in the hospital for stress in the same program.

Not sure what pansy ass degrees everyone else is getting in school where you have no work to do, but I was busy all day every day.

 

[Mr.Cynic88]

My 30 year old buddy recently remarked to me "it's so much smarter to come to school later when you actually care." So many people waste tons of money going to college right out of high school, and it's evident by the previously mentioned dumb people who are just wasting their time.

The one thing about being an older student is you don't fit the typical college demographic and thus some of the other benefits of university living, such as forming a community or attending university programs, become less relevant.

 

[Heronblade]

I barely partied at all in University. I had like 90 hour work weeks and went to the emergency room in 4th year due to a stress related breakdown, extremely high blood pressure too. And it wasn't just me, I know two other people who were in the hospital for stress in the same program.

Not sure what pansy ass degrees everyone else is getting in school where you have no work to do, but I was busy all day every day.

Mine is similarly stressful, but here's a hint,

An old roommate of mine got mostly A's in his business management degree. I never saw him lift a pen, or crack open a book. On top of that, he did it while aggressively maintaining his position as "champion" of his fraternity's drinking team.

This guy is going to be someone's boss someday...

 

[Angie7F]

I am 30 but I still want to party.
I studied hard and partied hard and have no regrets.

 

[Foolery]

Huh. And here I was thinking 22 is somewhat too old to start college. Well, that makes me feel better. Most of my friends went straight from high school to university. I had no clue what I wanted to do, so I thought it was better to just get a job, save some cash, and bum around for a bit until I did.

 

[McMullen]

Not sure what pansy ass degrees everyone else is getting in school where you have no work to do, but I was busy all day every day.

That seems a little uncalled-for, don't you think?

I often work at least 90 hours in a week too, but I also know that it was my choice; I simply want to finish quickly. Some people would rather not spend that much time on school and so they take fewer classes. No reason to be rude.

OT: I'm 31 and in the second year of my Masters program. I'm having a great time; I'm networking with people I've wanted to work with for half my life, got an interesting project, made many new friends, and my social life is the most active it's been in years (which ought to tell you something). I recommend it to anyone if they're willing to accept that it's going to take a lot of effort and discipline.

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

I got my Associates about 8 years ago now, even though in my field it's not necessary, and I'm going back to school to hopefully get a Masters, and to get deeper in my area. I'm not happy with the situation I'm in, so I figured that I might as well go back.

I'm in my late 20s and I really don't mess around when it comes to school. I was never really all that attracted to the partying ordeal when I was first in college, and I really don't have the patience for that kind of stuff. Some people may be all into that, and good on them, but not so much for myself.

At the moment I'm just doing some minor pre-requisites at a community college before moving onto the local university here and be a "junior". That's what the adviser said I would be, but I have no idea what that actually means. It's not as hectic now, but I'm sure when I transfer over it will be pretty crazy. I'm having an awesome experience so far because I've been "lucking out" in terms of how things are going, so it's almost like I was supposed to go back to school now since all attempts earlier just never panned out.

 

[The Gnome King]

I was much happier to do my schoolwork with people over a cup of coffee, too. We were all mostly 25+ so we'd outgrown our partying quite a bit and were very happy to say goodnight at the end of the day and go home.

Everything is offered online now through our college system here. It's great, because I can get through online coursework quickly and I hate sitting through lectures. I'm a visual learner.

We're also not really looking to meet people or make friends, as bad as that sounds. We have a pretty self-sufficient family unit and we're not terribly social with a large amount of people. (Also, when I'm around people the last thing I want to do is study... lol)

It's also really interesting to take a class with your spouse.

 

[The Gnome King]

I'm in my late 20s and I really don't mess around when it comes to school. I was never really all that attracted to the partying ordeal when I was first in college, and I really don't have the patience for that kind of stuff. Some people may be all into that, and good on them, but not so much for myself.

I think 18-24 were probably prime "partying" years for me but things started calming down after that. There were some students I knew who were focused even back then but I had a good job, a wife (I married at 21) and I just didn't take school all that seriously, it was just a means to an end; a degree for a job.

Now it's actually a lot more about enjoying the learning process. I can't ever recall actually enjoying coursework but this morning, wham - put on the classical music and banged out a Lit paper like it was over a decade ago, and I enjoyed it.

 

[The Gnome King]

I often work at least 90 hours in a week too, but I also know that it was my choice; I simply want to finish quickly. Some people would rather not spend that much time on school and so they take fewer classes. No reason to be rude.

OT: I'm 31 and in the second year of my Masters program. I'm having a great time; I'm networking with people I've wanted to work with for half my life, got an interesting project, made many new friends, and my social life is the most active it's been in years (which ought to tell you something). I recommend it to anyone if they're willing to accept that it's going to take a lot of effort and discipline.

I'm 34 and about in the same place you are. Getting my Masters isn't going to do anything for me financially but I simply want to do it because I enjoy the education and the experience I'm getting.

People have different reasons to go to school. I'd like to be in school my entire life, honestly, always taking a class here or there that interests me. I don't have this linear thought-process about college where it's just a box I need to check in the line of school... career... wife... kids... etc. I couldn't live like that, nor would I want to devote 90 hours a week to school. It doesn't sound enjoyable to me.

 

[The Gnome King]

My 30 year old buddy recently remarked to me "it's so much smarter to come to school later when you actually care." So many people waste tons of money going to college right out of high school, and it's evident by the previously mentioned dumb people who are just wasting their time.

The one thing about being an older student is you don't fit the typical college demographic and thus some of the other benefits of university living, such as forming a community or attending university programs, become less relevant.

Thankfully I am not interested in forming a community or in university events. I'm 34, I've been married now for around 13 years and I'm quite happy with my family, social life, and hobbies. I honestly wouldn't have time for "university events" or forming a community.

When I was younger, it was enjoyable to do the 18-22 year old college experience (I went to a state college and never lived on a dorm, tho) - I just can't imagine that would still be enjoyable now.

 

[The Gnome King]

...aside of course from the people who just...can't seem to make an effort. Class starts at 9 a.m. You don't have kids, you don't have a car so you're not fighting to find parking. WHY are you walking in thirty minutes late?! Furthermore WHY are you falling asleep in a CLASS YOU ARE PAYING FOR?! Very, very annoying. Even now, in a room 75% full of people likely around my age I find people who simply have no enthusiasm for learning.

This is why I hate going to the campus and take all my classes online. (Thankfully the State college system where I live has an excellent online degree program so I don't need to go to a for-profit online school.)

I have to go to the campus sometimes for meetings or whatever and it's everything I can take to not bust out laughing at the way I see people treating their (expensive, and probably paid for by mom, dad, or Pell Grant) education... and then I remember that I was 20 once and I probably looked just like them, falling asleep in a class.

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

I'm in my late 20s and I really don't mess around when it comes to school. I was never really all that attracted to the partying ordeal when I was first in college, and I really don't have the patience for that kind of stuff. Some people may be all into that, and good on them, but not so much for myself.

I think 18-24 were probably prime "partying" years for me but things started calming down after that. There were some students I knew who were focused even back then but I had a good job, a wife (I married at 21) and I just didn't take school all that seriously, it was just a means to an end; a degree for a job.

Now it's actually a lot more about enjoying the learning process. I can't ever recall actually enjoying coursework but this morning, wham - put on the classical music and banged out a Lit paper like it was over a decade ago, and I enjoyed it.

I guess I'm weird because I was always like that with studying and paper writing.

Just throw on some classical music and knock a paper out, and then go work on something else. I know on Labor Day I knocked a paper out and then worked on the rest of calculus that I never got to finish earlier. I just figured since I'm paying for my schooling I might as well take it seriously since school is stupid expensive and I'm kinda broke.