What was your experience like returning to school after your time in the military?

I haven't returned yet, but I will say I'm honestly nervous.

I did the college thing before I joined the military and I remember a very laid back atmosphere. But these days the political climate has warped my perceptions of what the college experience would be. All these riots and safe spaces and grown adults acting like children makes me not want to go back.

I've still got time on my GI Bill, so I'm in no rush to go back, but eventually I will to grab that 2nd degree.

Do not get sucked up in the social activist scene - try not to choke the living shit out of some liberal 20 year old that believes they have the answer to the worlds social problems, and prepare for the faculty to push liberal agendas and viewpoints.

I did much better than 80% of my classmates. I believe it has to do with personal responsibility, age, experience, problem solving skills,being able to think outside the box, accepting that failures are our own fault and not society, and that we are there for a purpose, not to make a social statement or to party, and we knew the value of the degree we were attempting to achieve.

I'm an oddity. I got around to using GI Bill (the old one before Montgomery) after I got off AD but was civil service and reserves at the same time. So I did a Masters Program through USC in 2 years. This was before internet, etc. Looking back, I have no memory of anything other than I must have been working full time, school full time, and reserves 1/2 time. Doing it then was a matter of focus and sleep deprivation. I wouldn't have the stamina for it now. My wife says I was there but not there during those two years. Glad I had GI Bill. Couldn't afford it otherwise. I did have to come up with $100 bucks or so a month to make up the delta. That was still serious money in '87-88.

I finished my undergrad before separating through a non-traditional program run by Southern Illinois University at Scott AFB. I did my Master at a commuter campus of Northern Illinois University. The common thread is that the students were all older and motivated. Consequently, both experiences were productive and full of relevant learning experiences. That said one class was the exception. I wound up taking a required statistics class on the main campus with traditional students. That sucked for a few reasons: motivation level of the younger students was very low and the work ethic even lower. Group projects were miserable. This was a 400 level class so for many it was the last class they need before graduation and they were just checking a box. As a result, I recommend to veterans that even if you plan to be a full time student on a traditional campus take evening classes as they tend to be populated with working adults who want to be there. Even better, look for classes at a university's or college's commuter campuses. Most schools have them. If you are working on an undergrad and need general education courses take them through a community college. 1. They are way cheaper 2. Most state university system will accept the credits as meeting their requirements for the same class. 3. The majority of community college students are adults with jobs and not just wasting. 4. The quality is typically very high.