What are the most difficult things about going back to school at a later age?

SGT Joseph Gunderson I started college at 22 and was apprehensive about being rusty and four years older than the other students. I found that my discipline and maturity level put me head and shoulders above most of the younger students. At age 62, I went back to college for real estate classes. Again, my discipline made me excel. Being older is not a problem.

I am 40 years older than most of my classmates. Understand that you have life and work experience as your advantage. The learning process is the same. Take your time and don't focus on your grade as much as getting the information.

Great. I didn't see the tiny print that said your post was from 2 yrs ago. You must have figured it all out.

It will be easier than you think. Be positive. You will probably manage your time way better than everyone else and be more careful about your work. The more difficult and challenging part is getting your military experience and prior college evaluated. I had some math classes that I wanted to substitute and it didn' work. Get on that right away. There is all kinds of help out there. Check with the Employment services department for your state. We had one on campus and they had internships and course help. Think about studying for a trade. There is a real shortage of plumbers, electricians and construction type workers. You can make a good living and can work anywhere.

I started following my retirement at age 44. Like most - discipline from the military is a HUGE benefit. The hardest thing for me - was asking my kids (who were in college) for help and watching their lives move forward as I sat at the dining room table doing homework. Getting an IT Degree has changed my life.

As a 61 years old in college my experience is that you will find you are not alone. There are many people returning to college and the life experiences you have will make you a better student

I went to Graduate School when I was 35. I never felt out of place because my fellow students were all ages. I was in school withVeterans and regular students. I know my age motivated me to get excel in my courses. When I was an Undergraduate right out of High School, I wasn’t as serious and motivated. I graduated and did fairly well for an alcoholic. After getting sober in 1989, and starting Grad School in 1991; I was focused and my attitude was very different. I was there to learn, so I expected my Professors to teach me. I excelled and received two Masters Degrees and I was a Disabled Veteran and a single mom. I think my age and Military experience helped me to focus on my goals! My advice to you is to figure out ‘how’ you learn. Is it visual, auditory, or tactile; or maybe a combination. If you are able to figure HOW you retain information, school will be much easier and you will see this in your grades. I was able to complete 60 Graduate hours of credit and achieve a GPA of 3.975 out of a possible 4.0. I made straight A’s with only one B! I think you will do well because you are motivated and your age and Military experience are an advantage. Best of luck in your academic endeavors. You CAN do anything you put your mind to! Set your goals and achieve them. If you can survive the Military, school is much more fun than Military training; although I did REALLY enjoy weapons training! The Granada training, the Granada launcher, and the LAW were my favorite weapons! I enjoyed blowing up a tank, a Jeep, and a bus. Then my Drill instructors made me stop. I wanted to blow up more targets, but they wouldn’t let me! Best of luck! I KNOW you will do well because you WANT to attend college!

An advantage

Good day Sir: I been in the classroom just before my resent deployment. We have and advantage over the other student. We are tought to be discipline, focus on what your AFSC/MOS.is. this applies very well in the classroom.

I had reached the age of fifty-eight and though I had been employed in some name recognizing positions, I didn't have a college degree. The elusive degree was the only thing I coveted that always seemed impossible for me to attain as I was too busy supporting three kids, a dog, and two cats. I have to credit a friend of mine for telling me to go for it; what did I have to lose? It was really that simple. I applied to Pennsylvania State University, I enrolled, and I earned two under-grad degrees and my M.B.A. I won nine college awards, was an Honors student and made Dean's list almost every semester, but the best award, the friendships I formed with instructors and kids young enough to be my own. My work ethics had me always prepared. I did the out of class work while participating in classroom discussion. Surrounded by both young students and the non-traditional students, kept me enthused and I must say, I loved every minute of my student life, and I never felt old. As a student, I needed to maintain myself and did so by working three full-time part-time jobs. I'm posting this for my young readers as an encouragement to go for your dream be it college or a trade school. I did it, and so can you.