<p>Just wanted to say congrats man, I think it is really great that you are taking ahold of life and creating your own path.</p>
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<p>Absolutely my case too.
In high school I wasted the opportunity: 1.8 GPA
1st time in college (Psychology) at 23, also wasted: 2.6 GPA
Now, at 31, getting a 2nd BS in Engineering: 4.0 </p>
<p>I have so much more focus and determination now. When you know what kind of life is waiting for you if you don’t succeed, it tends to make things a bit more important.</p>
<p>Your story is amazing. I am just so happy that you decided to do that for yourself because the majority of people simply doubt themselves the rest of their lives. If you’ve gotten this far, don’t let anything stop you. Judging from your GED scores it seems you’re nothing like what your father described you. We always think that our parents have to be right about everything and that they wouldn’t want to hurt us, but parents are people too, and sometimes they are not the best. We have to accept that. But look at where you’ve gotten! Keep on going, I’m praying that everything goes well for you. I wish you the best of luck, I’m certain you’ll be an incredible Chef.</p>
<p>ChefJosh: Congrats to you! It definitely takes some courage to start back. Aim for a GPA of at least 3.5 as soon as possible so that you will qualify to join Phi Theta Kappa, a national academic fraternity. It has many advantages which I will leave you to research.<br>
I started back at 45 and am now a junior. While in the Army I got involved in a religious cult which discouraged the pursuit of higher learning (except for their own unaccredited Bible College, from which I graduated with a 3.95 GPA). I did finally escape after 9 years, however, other life events also happened to me such as full-time employment (a fun job working from home), a mortgage, marriage and children, etc. However, 10 years later my wife passed away and then a couple years later my job also went sour. But thanks to my wife’s part-time employment my kids have been able to draw survivors’ benefits so that has enabled me to go back to school. Of course scholarships, loans & grants are very important too! I made Phi Theta Kappa in my second year and now am a junior with a 3.73 GPA. That is over 25 years since high school for me! Glad to know my brain is still sharp. My kids are now 14 and 17, and once I have my bachelor’s I will be ready to return to the workplace (unless grad school beckons!).</p>
<p>I went to CC at 30 and transferred to UCLA!! When I was in high school only the really smart kids got into UCLA and now here I am about to graduate in a few months. I’m starting to think about an MBA now. My advice is to use all the resources possible, people want to help you! Also, try to get into ASU because it is well known.</p>
<p>I know what you mean. I am not there yet, but I am really excited about going to the prestigious school I am currently on a solid trajectory towards. I remember it was a big deal for people to get in there when I was a kid, and all of the sudden it’s like, “wow…I could easily do that if I don’t slack off.”</p>
<p>Thanks again guys. It’s really something to be doing all this and I can’t imagine doing it while trying to pay bills AND be a parent!
Therese, NAU has a language requirement but ASU does not. I’ll get a BS in Food Service from ASU or a BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management from NAU. I haven’t decided on either yet but have an appt. in the morning with an adviser in the morning and will find out which one would be better for me. There isn’t much cost difference between them and it will be about the same commute time for me either way so my main concern would be which degree will look better to an employer, even if it means some extra work. I’ve been planning on moving to San Diego which works well with my career path, but also leaves me feeling that being bilingual would be highly beneficial in the long run.</p>
<p>Wow, this is such an inspirational story. I think that you would have an excellent chance at many top-tier schools if you decide to go on to a four-year university after community college given your unique circumstances. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Therese, You sent me a PM but I’m new here so it won’t let me respond. The group I was with is called New Testament Christian Churches of America based up near Puyallup, Washington, a split-off from the Pentecostal Church of God. What makes them a cult is not so much their doctrines, but their M.O. Their primary mission is to go to U.S. Army bases in about 8 countries and prey off young naive soldiers, bilking them out of military college funds (when applicable). They have a Wikipedia article. They are legalistic, abusive and manipulative, but pretend to be oh so holy. The extravagant cars and homes of the leaders prove that their only purpose is $$$$$, and when you leave you are shunned like Jehovah’s Witnesses do. I began to get my eyes open to their financial misdealings and the rampant divorce and remarriage among the ministry. It is a very dangerous cultic group that has stalled many careers, ruined many lives, and even broken up marriages, all for the sake of “the work of God.”</p>
<p>ChefJosh, congrats man! I dropped out of college freshman year because my girlfriend (wife today) got pregnant. Spent 14 years working for one company then decided to go back to college at the age of 32. For me, college was not as difficult second time around and I think you will find the same thing once you get comfortable. After working for many years, college seemed like a vacation. Also, you are used to hard work so if you just keep that mind set about school you will do great. My approach was simple. Always sit close to the front, take notes, read everything that was assigned, never miss class, and turn in my assignments on-time. When I returned to school I had 19 hours complete with under a 2.0 gpa. Ended up graduating in 2.5 years with a 3.75 gpa. And to my surprise, I was rarely the oldest student in my classes. Good luck, you will do great!</p>
<p>Congrats on making the best decision of your life! I’m in a very similar situation right now. I’m 26, and I dropped out of high school shortly after my sophomore year started. I was a straight A student all the way from 1st grade to my freshman year, but when I hit sophomore year, I just really quit caring, and started partying. I got my GED once I was 18, but it’s now been 10 years since I was in school, and about 8 since I got my GED.</p>
<p>I decided to go back to school though finally…and I’m now majoring in math and physics. This was my first semester back, and I’m proud to say that I finished it with a 4.0 gpa. It can take a while to really get back into the swing of the school life…but it certainly didn’t end up being as hard as I was anticipating. Honestly, I’m glad I’m going back to school now…rather than going when I was younger. If I’d went when I was younger, I wouldn’t have gone at it with the same level of dedication I have now. I see a lot of younger kids in my classes that are basically fresh out of high school, and they have almost no dedication to their classes in many cases. Many of them skip classes all the time…don’t pay attention to the lectures, and hardly even know the material. </p>
<p>Don’t let yourself be intimidated by it…you’ll do great!!</p>
<p>You are in the same boat as so many of us who think we are too far behind to catch up again. I, like you, were always told that I would amount to nothing, no encouragement or support in furthering my education. I was a high-school dropout and mother at 15, had my 4th child at 23. I got my driver’s license at 26, then went on to get my GED with no refresher classes and aced it. That same year I began college courses with a double major in Electronics and Computer Engineering. After two years it was too much because my children were getting older, I had to work more hours and didn’t have enough quality time to commit to college so I had to drop out. At 42 (14yrs after dropping out of college) I was hurt in an accident which left me disabled and began taking online courses to earn my Bachelor’s in Information Technology with a deep concentration on Networking. After 3 years my health began to deteriorate again and had to drop out… again. I just turned 45 in November and began my online education once again. I am determined more than ever this time, my time-clock isn’t turning backward lol…
Stick with it dear, you can do it! You are not alone in your endeavors and there is plenty of support all around if you are unable to get it from the ones you would expect it from. I am pulling for you as I am sure many other of us old folks are doing too! I have one student in one of my classes who is 61 years old! She gives me inspiration when I feel like throwing in the towel. When you are a famous chef and open your 5 star restaurant, I will definitely come and taste your success! Best of luck now and in the years to come!!</p>
<p>ComfortablyCurt,
Your situation sounds eerily familiar, I was always a bright kid going through school, but around that same age had a lot of personal and family issues and really just checked out. College wasn’t really on my radar. I worked several dead end jobs, eventually ended up managing a check cashing store, which was an interesting experience to say the least. The one good thing is it allowed me a lot time to read. I started picking up some popular science and math books, and while many were quite good at explaining some very cool subjects without being mathematically intensive, it felt a bit like sitting at the kids table. I wanted to see what I was missing, and for that I needed math. Took a couple classes at the community college to brush up, and now have gone through the calculus series and will be taking finishing up my general physics this next semester, and will be transferring in the fall as a physics major. It’s by far the best decision I’ve ever made. Doing physics and math together is great. If you have a good physics class, it will really reinforce your calculus. I did well in calculus, but i don’t think I actually understood it on an intuitive level until I used it in physics. Good Luck to you, and to the rest of you who may be getting a late start. It’s never to late to follow a passion.</p>
<p>You guys are awesome! I was a little unsure about starting this thread because I didn’t want it to come off as a “give me compliments and a pat on the back” thread. Hearing all the great stories has really built my confidence. I registered for my classes last Friday, slim pickings so close to Jan but I’m happy with my classes and I’ll end up with 15 credits. I’m really excited about the photography course I’m taking to fill in a gap, now I will finally know what to do with all the functions on my Nikon! I’ve had it for three years and never really known how to use it but the pictures still turn out great, lol. I hope you guys had a great Christmas, you’ve really made me feel better.</p>
<p>I just completed my 1st year back & I’m 44 years old. I first attended 20+ years ago & quit because I was working a 40hr job & attempting to go to college at night. DIdn’t work for me. So now at 44 I’m back & I’m loving it. I was very inspired to read about the guy who attended a CC & is about to graduate from UCLA. I felt bad because I was a 3 year HS grad & all many of my close friends went to Stanford, Harvard, UT Austin etc. Me I just went to work.
Now I’m also attending a community college where I currently have a 3.88 GPA & I’m enrolled in Honors classes, as well as in Phi Theta Kappa. If you can join any of those take advantage. I’m also working on my MDiv at a local seminary. The seminary is actually what got my juices flowing to enroll in CC. I’m hoping to transfer also to a good university. In any case good luck & work hard. If it’s not too late for me or others, it’s not too late for you to do it.</p>
<p>Hello everyone,
I am a non-trad thinking about going back to school. I am 41 and graduated from UG 15 years ago. I want to attend a post bacc program since I’ve been out of school for so long.
It’s gonna be hard because half of my professors are dead or don’t really remember me, so I cant get LOR’s from them.
I don’t know what to do. This school wants me to have LORs from my profs and they don’t want to give me one.</p>
<p>@ChefJosh Congrats on going back to school! You will do awesome. I was really inspired reading all the posts on this thread. I dropped out of college at 20 due to alcohol/drug issues and will finally finish my undergrad degree 5 years later and with 4 years sober this May! I completely agree that going back to school older is better, I think we can appreciate it and savor it more. I know I never thought I would graduate, let alone even start school again. Congrats again and good luck!</p>
I am freshman at cc 
My kids are now 14 and 17, and once I have my bachelor’s I will be ready to return to the workplace (unless grad school beckons!).</p>