<p>Cry me a river… LOL…</p>
<p>There are quite a number of older adults who already have a BA (120+ semester units) and need a career change into something with much better job prospects like registered nursing or pre-med. They have forgotten or have never taken the required science/math prerequisites. They also work part time or full time. For them, it’s a long 2-5 year journey to just apply to the associates degree nursing program. What I’m saying is that you will have a lot of "misery loves company " over the next few years as you struggle with your classmates through the math and sciences. </p>
<p>It’s really important that you take your time doing this. Whether it’d be pre-med, nursing, or some other allied health field, they all have very demanding GPA requirements. You have to guard your GPA as if they are the family jewels. Most people who try to matriculate at med school or nursing school don’t make it. A lot of it is because they took too many science lab / math classes simultaneously. 2 labs is a good max to start with. Plug in GE classes throughout the journey to lessen the blows. Don’t make the mistake of taking all GE classes at the beginning and leaving only the hard classes left for you to crash and burn. Learn the “drop without academic notation” date and the “last day to drop with W” date. If you drop a class you’re getting a C in, you should drop and all you’re out is a few hundred dollars temporarily you can make back from a job. If you get a C/D/F, your GPA is permanently damaged and cannot be repaired. Other than the very occasional B, you should be getting all As. If you get straight Bs in your first few math/science classes, you’ll be like the contestant on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” who has already burned all of their lifelines before the $16000 question. </p>
<p>Finally, UC/CSU limit the number of units from CC at 70. It’s safe to take 999 units at a CC and not be inadmissable. Go for it! And remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint the rest of the way.</p>