Posted on Jun 17, 2017
What are the most difficult things about going back to school at a later age?
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I am about to start going back to school here in August. I will be 28 When the semester starts and depending on how my military experience and training translates into credits I may or may not be a sophomore. What are some of the more difficult things that everyone has been through as you began going back to school, especially if you were 10+ years older than the other students?
NOTE: THIS QUESTION IS YEARS OLD AT THIS POINT. I GRADUATED IN MAY 2019 AND SUBSEQUENTLY MOVED ON TO GRADUATE SCHOOL.
NEWER NOTE: I FINISHED MY MASTER'S IN 2020.
NOTE: THIS QUESTION IS YEARS OLD AT THIS POINT. I GRADUATED IN MAY 2019 AND SUBSEQUENTLY MOVED ON TO GRADUATE SCHOOL.
NEWER NOTE: I FINISHED MY MASTER'S IN 2020.
Education
College
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 52
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SPC Nancy Greene
Then check out your options. Colleges HAVE to accept Veterans, so you have more advantages than you know!
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SPC Nancy Greene
Start by reading course descriptions and take what interests you along with the required courses. You’ll eventually figure out what you want to do.
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Hello Soldier,
I was 31 when I went back to school after 13 years in the Army. It was rough when the only employment was construction, 10 hour days 4 full-time classes. But the degree is hanging on the wall
I was 31 when I went back to school after 13 years in the Army. It was rough when the only employment was construction, 10 hour days 4 full-time classes. But the degree is hanging on the wall
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SPC Nancy Greene
Figure how you learn, then classes will be much easier. I taught a ‘Discover how you Learn’ class for the Nursing students in the RN to BSN program and everyone who attended my seminars said it really helped them, especially in the tough courses like Organic Chemistry and Anatomy and Physiology.
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I left the USMC at age 24 and went to college. It was difficult at first but somewhere I learned to take good notes, developed good study habits and things went well. Being somewhat older, married and having one child gave me a great incentive. Being older is no big deal in my opinion.
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Getting back into the routine of studying and doing homework. Depending on your major classroom lecture is only about 50% of the work. You need to set aside an hour or two each day to study and do homework.
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Developing study habits that will enable me to continue to support my home and part-time work. I am 81 years old still very active as a volunteer for a local bus service to help riders to their destination and assisting with handicapped persons as they board and dismount the vehicle.
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Joseph,
I was honorably discharged in 1980 with my mos as 68 Golf-Air frame structural repair . I came back to my home state and went to technical college to be a machinist... at 37 yrs. old I reach a peak in my career.
I went back to college at 40...The first semester was difficult because my perception that most of the younger folks knew more than I do.
Come to find out that was not the case. My life skills and discipline training in the military helped me Excel.
I think it was the 20 mile force marches that taught me the discipline to say I can’t do it and not quit.
in four years I graduated with 3.8 GPA in manufacturing technology and technical education.
With that education I taught the machine trades at a technical college I know sell Machine tools to manufacturing companies to help them keep Manufacturing in the USA. It’s an awesome feeling. It is a leadership role. The same skills you and I both used in the military.
Don’t be concerned about what others think. Most have not had a disciplinary training you and I have in the military so tie up your bootstraps and get it done.
It is very gratifying.
Good luck.
Joseph W.
I was honorably discharged in 1980 with my mos as 68 Golf-Air frame structural repair . I came back to my home state and went to technical college to be a machinist... at 37 yrs. old I reach a peak in my career.
I went back to college at 40...The first semester was difficult because my perception that most of the younger folks knew more than I do.
Come to find out that was not the case. My life skills and discipline training in the military helped me Excel.
I think it was the 20 mile force marches that taught me the discipline to say I can’t do it and not quit.
in four years I graduated with 3.8 GPA in manufacturing technology and technical education.
With that education I taught the machine trades at a technical college I know sell Machine tools to manufacturing companies to help them keep Manufacturing in the USA. It’s an awesome feeling. It is a leadership role. The same skills you and I both used in the military.
Don’t be concerned about what others think. Most have not had a disciplinary training you and I have in the military so tie up your bootstraps and get it done.
It is very gratifying.
Good luck.
Joseph W.
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Definitely use Rate My Professor website to find difficult/easy professor’s at your school for the courses you’re wanting to enroll in. We’ve all been there where we wished we would have known how hard this teacher was & could've taken an easier teacher (wow that’s a lot of Ws
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I’m going back to school at 54 you’re still young! Don’t worry about the kids worry about yourself
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