<p>Thanks swimcatsmom, I have already met my adviser, registered for classes, and have my ID. . .I’ll take a tour of the campus though, it’s pretty big and spread out and a lot of the buildings look the same!
It sounds like maybe orientation shouldn’t be only a week before semester starts. I feel sorry for anyone trying to get into classes this late in the game, I had a hard time finding classes that weren’t full two weeks ago!</p>
<p>My orientation was a couple of months before the semester started (I was a Spring transfer from a CC and Orientation was in November). A week before would be a bit late in that situation.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, once you have been there a week or two, the campus will shrink as you become familiar with it. Though I did arrive early for a new class once and didn’t realize until the prof started talking about psychology that I was in the wrong room. And that wasn’t even in my first semester!</p>
<p>Oh no, that’s a big fear of mine, along with being late for class. I always try to be early for everything but I have had two nightmares in the last couple weeks about showing up late to class and everyone is mad at me, the professor gives me dirty looks and starts talking super fast so I can’t keep up. I’ve had several anxiety-induced dreams where everything is awkward, confusing, and I screw everything up. My mind can be so cruel to me while I am sleeping, lol.</p>
<p>Thanks ChefJosh! Ditto what you said to swimcatsmom.</p>
<p>Ironically, at the same time I’m trying to go back to school, my S has failed his first semester in college. Ugh.</p>
<p>I think it’s normal to have anxiety dreams about school. It’s just your mind trying to work through the worries. I’m having the one where I get rejected from the school and can’t attend. And I’ve had the ones where I show up for a class and they are handing out the final exam and I suddenly realize I hadn’t attended all semester!</p>
<p>ChefJosh, I know how it feel, too. When I study in the age of 28, being a guy who looks older than others make me uncomfortable at first.</p>
<p>Maybe to young folks “first impression” is important, but to be honest once you step in the age of 3X~4X, you see a person by its willingness toward study or work. Prof does the same. If you show your passion towards your study, he/she won’t play funny games on you.</p>
<p>Therefore, don’t worry so much, and try to relax. A big advice is to count your breath before you sleep, it help make a person relax, hope it can also help you take away some of your bad dreams. :D</p>
<p>Congrats to you for making that decision. You’ll be happy that you did. …And it’s true what others are saying here; you’ll work harder because of where you’re at in your life. You’ll hold yourself accountable, and the drive to just straight up “kill it” is there, no doubt.</p>
<p>I went back part-time at 33 and then full time at 35. I used to complain about being way older than all the other students, and seriously questioned what the hell I was doing back at school, and spending all this money. My PhD wife, who was the biggest push behind me going back, said “well, you can either be 38 with a degree or 38 without a degree. You make the choice.” …I couldn’t much argue with that logic. </p>
<p>I graduated from Berklee College of Music at 38 with a 3.5 GPA, and I’m 3 credits away from my MBA. I’ll be 43 when I graduate from Suffolk University this May. </p>
<p>Again, congrats to you for going back!!</p>
<p>Oh, one more thing… “Landslide” by Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac was written about life contemplations, and for her, going back to school was one of her options in question at the time. …look it up.</p>
<p>It’s been a year since I started this thread but I still remember how nervous I was! I’m starting my 3rd semester in a couple weeks and I am really excited. I’ve got 30 credits out of the way and have a 4.0 G.P.A. (not as common at school as it is on here!) which put me in Phi Thetta Kappa an on the Dean’s List. It’s been an awesome experience so far and has really built my confidence. I’ve made tons of new friends and had great relationships with some awesome professors. I just wanted to post this to update and say “Thank You!” to all the people that gave me encouraging words last year when I was so nervous, it really meant a lot.</p>
<p>First and foremost, this has been the most helpful discussion I have found. Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories and experience!</p>
<p>I have finally made the decision to pursue a college degree. My story is a bit different, only that I had had my family first and waited for my husband to graduate and begin his career. I am actually very eager and excited to jump in and get started. Although, I have been a bit discouraged by a successful family member that has been very quick to point out that I may be too old to compete with other candidates when job seeking after attaining my degree. I am going to school not to just get that piece of paper, but to also have a successful career. I have read every post on this thread, and my confidence has been renewed that this is the best decision I can make, but the question remains…what success has been found, career wise, with attaining a degree later in life? I feel like this family really made a valid point. His advice to me was, go for it, but be aware of your much younger competition. Anyone have feedback that has started their actual career in their mid 30’s or older?</p>
<p>I started at 24. I’m 26 now and still at my local community college. I will say that it is what’s best for me, as had I started at 18, I would’ve ****ed it away. However, I do wish I were able to better relate with the kids that go there.</p>
For anyone that’s interested. . . I received the Culinary Student of the Year Award, as well as a Who’s Who Award. I I will graduate with a 4.0 GPA with my associates and two certificates, as well as multiple classes out of the way towards my bachelor’s degree. . . . and I have already been accepted to my first choice for university. I just wanted to give a big “THANKS!!!” for all the encouragement I received from this website, it helped me tremendously. I am proof that IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO GO FOR YOUR DREAMS!!!
Awesome, ChefJosh! Congratulations on your accomplishments. So good to hear it is going so well.